Usually considered in the context of the applied arts, engineering,
architecture, and other such creative endeavours, "design"
is used as both a noun and a verb.
"Design" as a
verb refers to the process of originating and developing a
plan for a new object (machine, building, product, etc.).
As a noun, "design" is used both for the final plan
or proposal (a drawing, model, or other description), or the
result of implementing that plan or proposal (the object produced).
Designing normally requires considering aesthetic, functional,
and many other aspects of an object, which usually requires
considerable research, thought, modeling, iterative adjustment,
and re-design.
Design as a process can take many forms depending on the
object being designed and the individual or individuals participating.
In philosophy, the abstract noun "design" refers
to pattern, or to purpose/purposefulness (or teleology). Design
is thus contrasted with purposelessness, randomness, or lack
of complexity.
