Let's start from the basics
Design is a broad and multifaceted concept that encompasses the creation, planning, and execution of various elements to achieve a specific purpose or solve a particular problem. It is not limited to a single discipline but is integral to various fields, including art, engineering, architecture, user experience, graphic design, and many more fields and industries that we'll try to list below.
As the aim of this territory is not to focus on nice visuals that have no other function that satisfy it creators'ego and a need for attention ad love. It's worth to highlight again that Design with capital "D" is the process of creating something new, whether it's a physical object, a service, or an experience, to satisfy a particular need or problem in a specific time and space. It's about understanding the needs of people in a particular environment and creating solutions that are firstly functional and secondly aesthetically pleasing, when a certain level of simplicity ad the application of specific principles.
But, wait a bit... Where did Design come from?
The concept of design has ancient roots, dating back to the early civilizations where individuals crafted tools, utensils, and structures for practical purposes. The word itself, originate from the Latin designare to lately be included as verb in the Italian language, referring to the senses of "contrive, plot, intend," and also draw or paint. So it was a visualization of the intent first, the materialization of an archetype that could not be described by words.
However, the formalization and recognition of Design as a distinct discipline began to evolve during the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. This period saw a shift from traditional craftsmanship to mass production, and designers emerged to address the challenges posed by new technologies and industrial processes. A much more systematic and methodical process, but in general, it still retains its core goal of creating solutions that improve people's lives.
Where is Design applied today?
Design is used in almost every aspect of our lives, from the products we use every day to the buildings we live and work in. Designers are employed in a wide range of industries, including (the most commonly agreed) architecture, engineering, product design, graphic and web design, fashion design, interior design, but also extended in fields such as healthcare, education, and business.
Here are some specific examples of where design is applied today, and I'll keep this list as long as I can, but please also consider that technology, like the tools and spaces we use, are constantly changing, so consequently, this fields will change and evolve too:
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Design
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Architecture
- Fashion Design
- Interior Design
- Web Design and Development
- Automotive Design
- Game Design
- Environmental Design
- Package Design
- Service Design
- Drugs Design
- Instructional Design
- Communication Design
- Medical and Healthcare Design
- Sound Design
- Data Visualization Design
- Museum and Exhibition Design
- Corporate Identity Design
- Social Design
- Culinary Design
- Aerospace and Aircraft Design
- Robotics Design
- Retail Design
- Legal Design
- Financial Design
- Motion Graphics Design
- Animation Design
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Design
- Exhibition Design
- Lighting Design
- Sustainable Design
- Textile Design
- Branding Design
- Wayfinding and Signage Design
- Entertainment Design (for movies, TV, and theater)
- Book Cover Design
- App Design
- Information Architecture Design
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Design
- Educational Design
- Game Design
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Design
- Accessibility Design
- Crisis Communication Design
- Renewable Energy Design
- Theme Park and Attraction Design
- Typographic Design ...
This list of showcases could go on forever... Design applies to everything we do and to all the diverse applications of design across various industries, highlighting its significance in shaping our environment and experiences.
Are you willing to dive in?
In the most common industries, we can find patterns that repeat. Someone also tried to define some principles to regulate how we should design, but also to justify the need to use design from a business perspective, some time to use it as a tool for marketing and recruit creative minds. For example, all the major big tech companies using design have built their own internal design principles that help ad guide their teams across multiple disciplines.
The aim of this writing is for you to remember that Design isn't probably what you are thinking of, and don't be limited to understand what others have told or teach you. Keep in mind that design is NOT only about cool UIs and fashion clothes... Design is a practice that has been inspiring and crafting utility objects for centuries.
Maybe a prod for many to dive a bit deeper instead of just surfing the latest trending wave.
Be Creative! Stay focus!
What are your thoughts on this topic?
@username, alternatively feel free to invite them using this link:stacker.news/invites/clr82fwsj0001omwadwj8kokk/r/Design_r