Design Critique

The Design Observer Website had an interesting entry lately that discussed designers and how they justify their work. It is largely annecdotal in nature. In the article, the author Michael Bierut, proudly states, "Every once in a while, however, there is satisfaction to be had when design bullshit attains the level of art." This then begs the question that has been bothering me these past few weeks: Is art/design objective or subjective? If design ultimately comes down to the whim of an artists as this article discuses, can it be grounded in any constant?