The difference between talent and skill comes into play when you think about humans and their urge to create(talent) and how this creation requires tools and a set of processes before anything is achieved (skill)
For instance, drawing in primeval ages was an urge; humans felt the need to depict the forms around them, But this actualization depended on making the right tools for this e.g sharpened wood and a mastery of this tool! Thus, these are two separate processes: the urge for creativity and the ability to actually create.
What is the Difference Between Talent and Skills
Skills are learnt patterns for executing a task. It’s the conscious effort of imbibing workflows into the cerebral cortex or for greater simplicity the human mind!
Talent on the other hand, is a feature no one remembers learning a talent or an aptitude – it’s simply something you are good at.
Being good at something and being skilled at something may overlap in some cases. E.g you might be good at choosing colors for design projects easily and skilled at using software for deciding the right color for a design project.
However, there is a marked difference between talent and skills. Here are instances where you easily note the difference
- Music. A person may be naturally good at singing but may not be skilled in playing an instrument. while a person skilled in playing an instrument may not have the natural talent for singing.
- Visual arts. A person may be good at drawing and painting but may not have the skill to create digital art. A digital artist may be skilled in using software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate but may not have a natural talent for traditional art forms like drawing or painting.
- Writing, A person may have a good imagination, but may not have the skills to write a compelling story. A person may have excellent writing skills but may not have a natural talent to come up with an original story.
The Creative Jane case Study
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A case study in the creative field that illustrates this difference is that of a young artist named “Jane.” Jane had always been good at drawing, but she had never received formal art training. She decided to enroll in an art school to improve her skills.
After completing her studies, Jane found that her art had improved significantly. Her work was now more polished and professional, and she was able to sell her work for a higher price.
Although Jane was still good at drawing, her skills had improved to the point where she was now able to make a living from her art.
This case study shows that being good at something is not enough if one wants to make a career out of it
People Pay for Skills
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An emerging brand needs a skillful designer to stand out from the competition and will pay top dollar for a designer who can make this come true.
Suzanne Lucas, writer of Evils HR Boss says organizations should stop hiring for talent and hire skills instead. Suzanne argues that skills are tools for achieving an organization’s goals and people who have invested their time to develop these tools should be prioritized.
Its not that talent doesn’t matter but that organizations are after finished goods.
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In Today’s World, the Difference Between Talent and Skill is more about Digital Mediums
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Years ago creative genres required efficiency at the core of a genre-There was Shakespeare, whose sole skill was wordsmithing and Picasso whose sole skill was making a canvas look good.
But in today’s world, a skill as good as Shakespeare would require SEO and a content management system like WordPress and that of Picasso’s would require photoshop, Illustrator and maybe even AI tools for enhancing photos and videos.
This is not exclusive to the creative field, in many industries, it is the case too.
- In the medical field, a natural inclination to alleviate suffering without the necessary skills and knowledge of a doctor is not enough.
- In the tech industry, a good understanding of how technology works has limited effects without the necessary skills and knowledge in programming languages.
To succeed in any field, knowing the core basics is no longer necessary- it is important to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to take your talent to the next level.
Below are free websites creatives of various fields can use to level up their talent and contribute to the world
For Music
- How to Write Your First Song
- Ableton Live Course: Sound Production for Musicians and Artists
- Guitar for Beginners
- Fundamentals of Music Theory
- Introduction to classical music
- Approaching Music Theory: Melodic Forms and Simple Harmony
- Music Theory For Beginners
- Ear Training Starts Here – Identify The Notes
- Developing Your Musicianship
- 18th-Century Opera: Handel & Mozart
For Art
- Adobe Photoshop Tutorials
- Phlearn
- Udemy
- GCF LearnFree.org
- Creative Live
- Graphic Design School
- Interaction Design Foundation
- Springboard
- Envato-tuts+
- Canva
For Writers
- Writing Articles
- Creative Writing Specialization
- Writing with Impact
- Secret Sauce of Great Writing
- Essay Essentials: Improve Your Academic Writing
- Writing Ad Copy
- Craft Your Cover Letter
- Write a Book!
- The Complete Freelance Writing Course
- Online Creative Writing Classes
Did you know: Designers with recognized skills are paid higher than those without. It’s one of the reasons why creatives earn lower.
Having a Natural Talent Or Aptitude For Something Is Important, But Not Enough To Succeed In Any Field.
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Although they may overlap, Being good at something and being skilled at something are not the same; there is a gulf of difference between the two.
NGD understands the importance of recognized skills in a digital and competitive world and offers the NGD talent pro feature to help creatives deepen their talents and gain eye-stopping badges to showcase their authenticity!
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Sign up now to get amazing prices on courses, tips for leveling up your creative game, and network with peers who motivate.
Having a natural talent or aptitude for something is important, but it is not enough to succeed in any field. Acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge is just as important, if not more so.
How are you pushing your creative talent into a creative career? Are you gaining the necessary skill to enhance the pursuit of a creative career? Drop your comments, and let’s discuss.
