With a simple Google search for the definition of ‘’artisan” you’ll find something like this:

“A worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.”

That definition seems to cover a lot. But it seems like we’ve been seeing the word ‘‘artisan’’ pop up more and it always seems to be describing a type of work that goes beyond someone being skilled. It seems like we see the term used most often at craft vendor events, or to describe the food of a specialty hipster shop. (Is hipster still a thing?) In either context, it usually seems to describe a product or experience that is unique to that creator. It’s a way of saying that the person making it is going beyond simply what is needed to be in business and puts in the extra effort needed to add something personal to what they’re making. Simply put, they’re not just making bread or soap, but in their specific methods and processes, they’re adding a level of art. To really understand what this means for the consumer we would probably need to deep dive into what “art” is, and that could take some time…

So this term ‘‘artisan’’ has value to differentiate between handmade quality goods and the mass produced, assembly line made products that we’ve all gotten accustomed to and encounter every day. But where the word ‘‘artisan’’ gets a little tricky and complicated again is in the world of construction.

If we go back to that Google definition, it seems like “artisan’’ could describe almost every person in the construction trades.

But does it?

In construction, there are many ‘‘master craftsmen,’’ but does that make all skilled tradespeople ‘‘artists’’? To truly answer that, we’d probably need to define what art really is…but that’s a whole different conversation.

Like everything else, construction is an industry. Within that industry there are differing levels of artistry and manufactured products and systems needed to keep that industry moving at the speed it needs. Even though much of construction is done by skilled tradesmen on-site in real time, it still seems that the “art” of it is left out—and for good reason.

To have every project be a unique work of art is not all that efficient. The most efficient way to make and produce things is usually to do them the same way over and over. From the design perspective alone, there’s an ease in designing something and knowing exactly what it will be no matter who does the work. So we train our skilled craftsmen and tradesmen to work in the industry in a replicable, almost machine-like way. Again, that’s not wrong, it’s just the way it is.

However, this has lead to what I like to call a “catalog” way of designing and building. Most people are used to choosing what they will get out of a catalog (or these days, a website). Whether it’s tile, wallpaper, flooring, or cabinets… people want to be able to open a catalog. See the exact product. Order. And know that they have their choice of 3-4 different installers who will all install that product according to the manufacturers specifications, and everyone knows exactly what they’re getting. It’s a very efficient way to design and build and most importantly, it takes out a lot of the guess work and and saves a lot of time.

But sometimes a project needs something else. People are tired of mass produced products and buildings that feel like they were made by a machine. People want real textures back in their spaces. They want real materials that are unique and inviting. They want the artisanal strokes and imperfections that let you know and feel that this was a space done by hand. That in some small or large way, there’s a piece of the artist in it. This can only be done by understanding the difference between an artisan and a tradesmen. When you work with an artisan, what you’re going to get is going to be unique to that person as an artist. What you get won’t be out of a catalog, but out of a conversation. You might not be getting an "industry standard” way of doing something, but a unique artistic expression and connection with the space being built.

All of that artistic value and connection isn’t for everyone. It’s an entirely different process and can take more time than the catalog design method. But if you’re wanting spaces that feel unique and full of personality, you might need to build up your own catalog of artisans.

So with all this said…I guess what an artisan is, is a craftsman that is also an artist. Both can exist independent from each other, but when they’re together… that’s an artisan.