What is Design?

Q/A session on 'Design' with Charles Eames(1960s designer)

Q: What is your definition of “Design?”
A: A plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose

Q: Is design an expression of art (art form)?
A: Design is an expression of purpose. It may later(if it is good enough) be judged as art.

Q: Is design a craft for industrial purposes?
A: No-but design may be a solution to some industrial problems

Q: What are the boundaries of design?
A: What are the boundaries of problems?

Q: Does the creation of design admit constraint?
A: Design depends largely on constraints

Q: What constraints?
A: The sum of all constraints. Here is one effective keys to the design problem – the ability of the designer to recognize as many constraints as possible- his willingness and enthusiasm for working within these constraints – the constraints of price, the size, of time etc., each problem has its own peculiar list.

Q: Does design obey laws?
A: Aren’t constraints enough?

- Courtesy - 'Designing Interactions' by Bill Moggridge