design
Plan with purpose
When you design something you decide how it will look, how it will work, and what its important features are: Architects designed the building to store the sun’s heat during the day and release it at night.
Design is usually regarded as a creative process.
The noun design is the result of designing something and may be as simple as a logo or as complex as a weather satellite.
It’s common to use designed as an adjective in order to emphasize a feature of something rather than the person who created it: The program is designed to give parents and teachers an opportunity to work together.
Abstract mental construct
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- ideationForming mental concepts
- brainstormSpontaneous idea generation
iteration · develop · craft · compose · visualize · imagine · originate · formulate
Spatial arrangement of elements
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- configurationArrangement of parts
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
organization · format · grouping · distribution · alignment · spacing · grid · hierarchy
Simplified technical diagram
- diagramSimplified explanatory sketch
- planDetailed proposal for achieving
- draftPreliminary version of text
- specificationDetailed technical requirement
CAD · technical drawing · floor plan · elevation · cross-section · rendering · scale · dimension
Refined, graceful quality
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- proportionComparative relation of parts
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
beauty · sleekness · sophistication · refinement · polish · grace · appeal · attractiveness
Steps toward a result
- approachWay of handling something
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
method · system · protocol · procedure · workflow · user-centered · iterative · agile
One favoring bare essentials
- retroEvoking recent past
- vintageQuality from past eras
- contemporaryOf the present age
- modernOf recent times
avant-garde · bohemian · Bauhaus · mid-century · industrial · Scandinavian · brutalist · postmodern
Sudden important advance
- noveltyQuality of being original
- ingenuityClever, original thinking
- originalityNovel creative quality
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
cutting-edge · modernization · revolutionary · game-changing · advancement · disruption · transformation · reinvention
concept
Abstract mental construct
brainstorm · iteration · develop · craft · compose · visualize · imagine · originate · formulate · model
layout
Spatial arrangement of elements
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- configurationArrangement of parts
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
pattern · organization · format · grouping · distribution · alignment · spacing · grid · hierarchy · placement
schematic
Simplified technical diagram
- diagramSimplified explanatory sketch
- planDetailed proposal for achieving
- draftPreliminary version of text
specification · CAD · technical drawing · floor plan · elevation · cross-section · rendering · scale · dimension · annotation
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- proportionComparative relation of parts
symmetry · beauty · sleekness · sophistication · refinement · polish · grace · appeal · attractiveness · subtlety
process
Steps toward a result
- approachWay of handling something
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- frameworkUnderlying support system
technique · method · system · protocol · procedure · workflow · user-centered · iterative · agile · human-centered
minimalist
One favoring bare essentials
- retroEvoking recent past
- vintageQuality from past eras
- contemporaryOf the present age
modern · avant-garde · bohemian · Bauhaus · mid-century · industrial · Scandinavian · brutalist · postmodern · Art Nouveau
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- noveltyQuality of being original
- ingenuityClever, original thinking
- originalityNovel creative quality
pioneering · cutting-edge · modernization · revolutionary · game-changing · advancement · disruption · transformation · reinvention · forward-thinking
- artsartist, creativity, expression, songs, painting
- Arts & Sciencescreativity, music, painting, sculpture, literature
- createdart, music, literature, film, sculpture
- creationsnovel, artwork, poem, song, film
- applied artsapplied arts, decorative arts, craftsmanship, furniture making, glassblowing
- architectureEiffel Tower, buildings, architects, thatching, drawings
designaccident
Unintended harmful event
chance · coincidence · randomness · serendipity · happenstance
designchaos
Complete disorder and confusion
disorder · disorganization · randomness · confusion · jumble
designexecution
Completing a planned task
implementation · realization · construction · production · manufacture
- designated driverAbstaining volunteer behind wheel
- rustic designAesthetic emphasizing rural simplicity
- interior designPlanning indoor spaces
- stage designTheatrical set construction
- system designPlanning complex structures
- graphic designArranging images and text
designer, designing, designed, designs, redesign, designate, designation, co-design, designers