Craft vs. Technique — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 2, 2023
Craft refers to a skill or ability, especially in making things by hand, while technique is a specific way or method of doing something.
Difference Between Craft and Technique
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Craft and technique are both terms that relate to skills, but they emphasize different aspects of proficiency and mastery. Craft typically speaks to an overall ability or skill set, particularly in creating tangible objects or practicing certain trades. It often embodies the essence of craftsmanship, where one's handiwork is evident. Technique, however, zeroes in on the specific methods or procedures employed in performing a task or achieving a certain outcome.
In artistic endeavors, craft might refer to the broad ability to create art, encompassing understanding of materials, design, and aesthetics. Technique would then relate to the precise methods an artist uses, like brush strokes in painting or finger placements in music. For a woodworker, their craft is woodworking in general, but the technique could be how they carve or join pieces of wood together.
Another distinction is that while craft often requires a deep and sustained engagement to master, a technique might be more easily taught, learned, and replicated. For instance, a person could quickly learn a specific technique to solve a math problem but mastering the craft of mathematics involves a deeper understanding and broader skill set.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Skill, especially in making things by hand
Specific way or method of doing something
Scope
Broad, encompasses overall ability
Narrow, focuses on method or procedure
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Field of Application
Common in arts, trades, and handmade goods
Common across various disciplines
Connotation
Implies quality and mastery
Neutral, relates to method
Acquisition
Requires deep engagement and often years of practice
Can be more easily taught and learned
Compare with Definitions
Craft
Skill in making or doing something.
Her craft in pottery is truly exceptional.
Technique
Manner of artistic execution or performance.
The painter's technique was influenced by the Impressionists.
Craft
Artistry and quality in creation.
The film was praised for its storytelling craft.
Technique
Specific procedures or set of procedures.
The surgical technique has evolved over the years.
Craft
A vessel or vehicle, like a boat or spaceship.
The fisherman anchored his craft near the shore.
Technique
A method to achieve a desired result.
She learned a new technique to solve the equation.
Craft
Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency.
Technique
A way of performing a task or skill.
His piano playing technique is unparalleled.
Craft
Skill in evasion or deception; guile.
Technique
Systematic or organized methods.
Effective problem-solving requires a good technique.
Craft
An occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or skilled artistry.
Technique
The basic method for making or doing something, such as an artistic work or scientific procedure
Learned the techniques involved in painting murals.
Craft
The practitioners of such an occupation or trade considered as a group.
Technique
Skill or command in a particular activity
A pianist with superb technique.
Craft
Pl. craft A boat, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.
Technique
(uncountable) The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements.
Craft
Crafts Items made by craftspeople.
Technique
(uncountable) Practical ability in some given field or practice, often as opposed to creativity or imaginative skill.
Craft
To make or construct (something) with care or ingenuity.
Technique
(countable) A method of achieving something or carrying something out, especially one requiring some skill or knowledge.
Craft
Strength; power; might; force .
Technique
The method or manner of performance in any art; - also called technic.
Craft
(uncountable) Intellectual power; skill; art.
Technique
The body of technical methods and procedures used in a science or craft.
Craft
Ability, skilfulness, especially skill in making plans and carrying them into execution; dexterity in managing affairs, adroitness, practical cunning; ingenuity in constructing, dexterity .
Technique
The detailed movements used for executing an artistic performance; technical skill; artistic execution; as, a pianist's fingering technique.
Craft
Cunning, art, skill, or dexterity applied to bad purposes; artifice; guile; subtlety; shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception .
Technique
A practical method or art applied to some particular task
Craft
(obsolete) Occult art, magic .
Technique
Skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity;
Practice greatly improves proficiency
Craft
A work or product of art .
Craft
(collective or plural) Handmade items, especially domestic or decorative objects; handicrafts .
Craft
A device, a means; a magical device, spell or enchantment .
Craft
Learning of the schools, scholarship; a branch of learning or knowledge, a science, especially one of the ‘seven liberal arts’ of the medieval universities .
Craft
(uncountable) Skill, skilfulness, art, especially the skill needed for a particular profession .
The craft of writing plays.
Craft
A branch of skilled work or trade, especially one requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill, but sometimes applied equally to any business, calling or profession; the skilled practice of a practical occupation .
The carpenter's craft.
He learned his craft as an apprentice.
Craft
(countable) A trade or profession as embodied in its practitioners collectively; the members of a trade or handicraft as a body; an association of these; a trade's union, guild, or ‘company’ .
She represented the craft of brewers.
Craft
A vehicle designed for navigation in or on water or air or through outer space .
Craft
(nautical) Boats, especially of smaller size than ships. Historically primarily applied to vessels engaged in loading or unloading of other vessels, as lighters, hoys, and barges.
Craft
Those vessels attendant on a fleet, such as cutters, schooners, and gun-boats, generally commanded by lieutenants.
Craft
(figurative) A woman.
Craft
Implements used in catching fish, such as net, line, or hook. Modern use primarily in whaling, as in harpoons, hand-lances, etc. .
Craft
To make by hand and with much skill.
Craft
To construct, develop something (like a skilled craftsman).
State crafting; the process of crafting global policing
Craft
(video games) To combine multiple items to form a new item, such as armour or medicine.
Craft
Strength; might; secret power.
Craft
Art or skill; dexterity in particular manual employment; hence, the occupation or employment itself; manual art; a trade.
Ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
A poem is the work of the poet; poesy is his skill or craft of making.
Since the birth of time, throughout all ages and nations,Has the craft of the smith been held in repute.
Craft
Those engaged in any trade, taken collectively; a guild; as, the craft of ironmongers.
The control of trade passed from the merchant guilds to the new craft guilds.
Craft
Cunning, art, or skill, in a bad sense, or applied to bad purposes; artifice; guile; skill or dexterity employed to effect purposes by deceit or shrewd devices.
You have that crooked wisdom which is called craft.
The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
Craft
A vessel; vessels of any kind; - generally used in a collective sense.
The evolutions of the numerous tiny craft moving over the lake.
Craft
To play tricks; to practice artifice.
You have crafted fair.
Craft
The skilled practice of a practical occupation;
He learned his trade as an apprentice
Craft
A vehicle designed for navigation in or on water or air or through outer space
Craft
People who perform a particular kind of skilled work;
He represented the craft of brewers
As they say in the trade
Craft
Skill in an occupation or trade
Craft
Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
Craft
Make by hand and with much skill;
The artisan crafted a complicated tool
Craft
A particular trade or profession.
She decided to pursue the craft of carpentry.
Craft
The members of a trade or profession collectively.
The secrets of the baking craft were passed down through generations.
Common Curiosities
What's the primary difference between craft and technique?
Craft refers to a general skill or ability, especially in making things, while technique is about the specific method or way of doing something.
Can a person have good technique but poor craft?
Yes, one can master a specific technique without having a broader, quality skill set in the overall craft.
Is craft only associated with handmade items?
While craft often pertains to handmade goods, it can also refer to proficiency in other domains like writing or music.
Can one technique be applied to different crafts?
Some techniques, like certain methods of design or analysis, can be applied across different crafts or fields.
How does one improve their craft?
Improving craft usually involves consistent practice, learning, and refining skills over time.
Can a single craft encompass multiple techniques?
Yes, a craft like painting can involve various techniques such as blending, stippling, and layering.
How do traditions influence craft and technique?
Traditions can shape both the broader craft and specific techniques, passing down practices through generations.
Is technique limited to artistic fields?
No, technique applies across disciplines, including arts, sciences, and everyday tasks.
Can craft be self-taught?
Yes, many individuals self-teach and develop their craft over time, though guidance can expedite mastery.
Why is mastering the craft often seen as superior?
Mastering a craft implies a deep understanding and high-quality skill set, whereas mastering a technique is about specific methods.
Does every craft have a technique?
Most crafts involve techniques, but the specifics and number can vary widely.
How does technique relate to tools?
Technique often dictates how tools are used within a craft to achieve desired results.
How do innovations influence technique?
Innovations can introduce new techniques or refine existing ones, evolving the way tasks are performed within a craft.
Can the terms craft and technique be used interchangeably?
While they overlap, they're not synonymous. Craft is broader, while technique is more specific.
Can modern technology be a part of traditional craft?
Yes, many traditional crafts have integrated modern tools or techniques while retaining core principles.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
