design
design
Pronunciation
/dɪˈzaɪn/.
First syllable (de-):
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
Second syllable (-sign):
/z/: Voiced alveolar sibilant
/aɪ/: Diphthong (as in "my")
/n/: Voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: design (e.g., "The design of the building is modern.")
Plural: designs (e.g., "She presented several new designs.")
As a Verb:
Base form/Infinitive: design (e.g., "They want to design a new car.")
Third-person singular present: designs (e.g., "He designs websites for a living.")
Present participle: designing (e.g., "She is currently designing a dress.")
Past tense: designed (e.g., "He designed that bridge years ago.")
Past participle: designed (e.g., "The house was designed by a famous architect.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Design (Noun)
Definition 1 (A blueprint or concept): A detailed plan, sketch, or conceptual framework outlining the form, structure, and function of something to be created, developed, or executed. This often involves considerations of aesthetics, utility, and feasibility.
Synonyms: blueprint, plan, layout, scheme, diagram, prototype, concept, model, pattern, formulation
Antonyms: chaos, disarray, disorder, randomness, jumble, mess, confusion
Definition 2 (An artistic or decorative pattern): The arrangement of elements, shapes, colors, or lines to create a visually appealing or meaningful motif, especially for decorative purposes on an object, textile, or surface.
Synonyms: pattern, motif, figure, decoration, ornamentation, style, form, composition
Antonyms: blandness, plainness, dullness, simplicity, bareness, unadornedness
Definition 3 (Purpose or intention): An underlying intention, aim, or purpose that guides an action, project, or process, often implying a deliberate and calculated objective.
Synonyms: intention, purpose, aim, goal, objective, plan, scheme, plot, stratagem, end
Antonyms: accident, chance, fortuity, spontaneity, inadvertence, unintentionality
Design (Verb)
Definition 1 (To create a plan): To conceive, plan, and often draw or sketch out the form, structure, and workings of something before it is made or implemented.
Synonyms: plan, conceive, formulate, devise, contrive, invent, sketch, draft, blueprint, engineer
Antonyms: improvise, extemporize, neglect, abandon, disregard, muddle (through), haphazard
Definition 2 (To intend for a purpose): To create or arrange something with a specific purpose, use, or audience in mind; to tailor something for a particular function.
Synonyms: intend, destine, purpose, tailor, adapt, configure, fashion, set up, earmark
Antonyms: mispurpose, misuse, disregard purpose, leave to chance
Designed (Adjective - used as a past participle)
Definition 1 (Having a specific plan or aesthetic): Created or arranged according to a deliberate plan, often implying careful thought and a particular aesthetic or functional quality.
Synonyms: planned, crafted, constructed, structured, styled, arranged, artistic, deliberate, purposeful
Antonyms: unplanned, accidental, haphazard, random, chaotic, disordered, natural, spontaneous
Definition 2 (Intended for a specific aim): Made or developed with a particular function, outcome, or audience as its primary objective.
Synonyms: intended, purposed, meant, destined, tailored, adapted, designated, suited
Antonyms: unintended, unsuited, unfitting, general-purpose, universal (in certain contexts)
Examples of Use
Books:
"His early architectural work showed a clear design influenced by classical Roman structures, emphasizing symmetry and grandiosity." (From a biography about a renowned architect)
"The novel's intricate plot design kept readers guessing until the very last chapter, a testament to the author's narrative skill." (Literary analysis)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved the new park design, which includes a sustainable water feature and expanded green spaces for public enjoyment." ( Daily Nation)
"Experts debated the security design of the new digital voting system, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities." ( The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Apple's latest iPhone features a minimalist design, focusing on user experience and tactile feedback." ( TechCrunch)
"Researchers are exploring new ways to design biodegradable plastics that break down harmlessly in the environment." ( ScienceDaily )
"The article explored how to design an effective remote work policy that boosts productivity and employee well-being." (Harvard Business Review )
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Video Game Review: "The level design in 'Elden Ring' is a masterclass in open-world exploration, subtly guiding players while maintaining a sense of freedom." (IGN)
Film Production Commentary: "The costume design for 'Dune' beautifully captured the essence of Frank Herbert's vision, blending futuristic elements with tribal aesthetics." (IMDb )
Music Album Review: "The album's sound design is incredibly immersive, using ambient textures and layered vocals to create a unique auditory landscape." (Pitchfork)
Streaming Series Dialogue: "We need to go back to the drawing board for the whole marketing campaign. This current design isn't hitting the mark." (Dialogue from a fictional TV series)
General Public Discourse:
"I love the new design of their website; it's so much easier to navigate now." (Casual conversation)
"They're trying to design a new curriculum that better prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century." (Discussion among educators)
"The architect's bold design for the new skyscraper has certainly sparked a lot of debate in the community." (Local news discussion)
10 Quotes Using Design
"A design isn't finished until somebody is using it." (Brenda Laurel)
"Good design is honest." (Dieter Rams)
"God does not play dice with the universe; He has a grand design." (Attributed to Albert Einstein, though the exact wording varies)
"Every great design starts with an even better story." (Lorinda M. R. Forest)
"There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for." (Milton Glaser)
"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." (Carl Sagan, often used in discussions about the design of scientific inquiry)
"Where there is no design, there is no intention." (Edward Tufte)
"I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of these two things." (Lindon Leader)
"The design of the universe is a matter of profound philosophical inquiry." (Stephen Hawking)
"If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design." (Ralf Speth)
Etymology
The word "design" has a rich history that can be traced back to Latin, evolving through Italian and French before arriving in English.
At its core, "design" comes from the Latin word "designare," which meant "to mark out," "point out," "devise," or "designate." This Latin word is made up of two parts:
"de-": meaning "out" or "from"
"signare": meaning "to mark," which comes from "signum," meaning an "identifying mark" or "sign."
So, you can think of the very first meaning as "to mark out a sign" or "to indicate something clearly."
This Latin root then influenced the Italian word "disegno." In the Renaissance, "disegno" was a very important concept in art theory, meaning both "drawing" (the physical act of marking) and "project" or "plan" (the mental conception). It essentially encompassed the idea of an artist's creative thought process as well as the physical drawing that communicated that idea.
From Italian, the concept and word moved into French as "dessein" (and later "dessin"). The French kept this double meaning of a purpose or plan, and also a drawing or sketch.
Finally, in the late 14th century, "design" first appeared in English as a verb, meaning "to make" or "to shape." By the 1540s, it specifically meant "to plan or outline, to form a scheme." The noun form, meaning "a scheme or plan in the mind," emerged in the 1580s.
Over time, "design" developed many of its modern meanings, including planning something for a specific purpose, creating artistic patterns, and referring to the overall look and feel of something. It still carries that original sense of "marking out" or "outlining" a concept, whether that's a physical drawing or a mental blueprint.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Design
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "design":
By design: Intentionally; on purpose.
Design flaw: A defect or error in the plan or structure of something.
Designated driver: A person in a group who abstains from alcohol in order to drive others home safely.
Design for living: A comprehensive approach or philosophy for how one chooses to live their life.
To design out (something): To eliminate a problem or feature during the design phase of a product or system.
To have designs on (someone/something): To have intentions or plans, often secret or ambitious, concerning someone or something (e.g., "He has designs on her inheritance").
To design with the end in mind: To plan something by first considering the desired outcome.
A grand design: An elaborate or overarching plan, often with significant implications.
The overall design: The complete or total plan or aesthetic of something.
Art and design: A common pairing referring to creative fields involving both aesthetic expression and practical planning.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of design from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
