Definition DESIGN

a multi-discoursive term: concept with different meanings in different discourse

Etymology
design (verb)
1540s, from Latin designare "mark out, devise, choose, designate, appoint," from de- "out" (see de-) + signare "to mark," from signum "a mark, sign" originally with the meaning now attached to designate

design (noun)
1580s, from Middle French desseign "purpose, project, design," from Italian disegno, from disegnare "to mark out," from Latin designare "to mark out"

Meaning
design (verb) to plan and make decisions about something that is being built or created: to create the plans, drawings, etc., that show how (something) will be made to plan and make (something) for a specific use or purpose to think of something, such as a plan: to plan (something) in your mind

Meaning
design (noun)

the way something has been made: the way the parts of something (such as a building, machine, book, etc.) are formed and arranged for a particular use. the process of planning how something will look, happen, be made, etc. a mental project or scheme in which means to an end are laid down a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something (as a scientific experiment); the arrangement of elements or details in a product

Definitions
Many definitions ...
Design is the human power of conceiving, planning, and making products that serve human beings in the accomplishment of their individual and collective purposes. Richard Buchanan, 2001 Design is the purposeful organization of resources to accomplish a goal. ~ Hevner et al., 2004 Design is (...) human capacity to plan and produce desired outcomes. Bruce Mau, 2007

Definitions
Common features
Design is intentional act, i.e. process of structuring some product with the strategic aim: activity intended to accomplish defined goals Design is problem resolving process: activity aimed to satisfy a set of excpeted requirements or effects Design is all about usability: activity that connect funcionality and aesthetic in order to create product with excange value that serve diverse human purpose Design is not (only) art: focus is on the structuring of the information and communication not aesthetic forms of truth about world

Definitions
Work definition DESIGN is intentional or strategic STRUCTURING of some product (visual message, corporate identity, but also design of material objects, interiors, city, state identity, and etc.) that SERVE human beings in the accomplishment of their individual and collective purposes.

Areas
Types of design product There are four broad classes of designs products, sometimes called the four orders of design:

1. Mass communication
2. Mass production 3. Actions & activities

4. Creation of Environments, Organizations, and Systems