ABSTRACT
What Do We Mean by “Design”? To some people, the word design means graphical or artistic design and is therefore in the domain of the artist. To other people, it means engineering design and is therefore in the domain of the engineer. If you are neither an artist nor an engineer, it would seem that you have little to do with design. But, if you broaden your definition of design to include planning and general problem solving, then you will see that you are engaging in design on a daily basis. Design is the creative part of your day, as opposed to the routine part such as brushing your teeth. When you enter a kitchen and decide what you are going to make for dinner, you are engaged in design. When you are composing a speech in your head that you will be delivering to a community group, you are engaged in design. Rearranging furniture, applying for jobs, and planning vacations are all design activities in the broad sense of the word. Design is the activity of imagining the future, setting goals, and finding ways to achieve those goals.
