The Meaning of Design
These are the meaning of the word - design - based on the Oxford dictionary.
“the general arrangement of the different parts of something that is made, such as a building, book, machine, etc.”
“the art or process of deciding how something will look, work, etc. by drawing plans, making computer models, etc.”
“a drawing or plan from which something may be made”
“an arrangement of lines and shapes as a decoration”
“a plan or an intention”
Most of us would understand the idea of design as “a drawing or plan from which something may be made” and “an arrangement of lines and shapes as a decoration”. Hence, we might project the same meaning when we are tasked with a design project. We might think that a designer's job is to draw/ illustrate or even create art pieces.
That was what I thought when I started to study UX. Although there was an emphasis on placing the users’ needs first, I guessed I spent too much time redesigning the app or website. This caused me to forget the true meaning of “design”.
As a designer, you have to create solutions for the problems that you face. It is not about design elements alone. Due to the advancement of technology, you might see that most UX designers would have a portfolio and they would showcase the apps and websites they designed. However, UX or design is more than that. You can design an experience. You can design a workflow and systems. You can design a lot of things that have nothing to do with graphic designs.
Of course, there are many types of designers. Graphics designers, illustrators, typography designers, UX designers, UI designers, etc. At the end of the day, all of them are problem solvers. For example, some of them create branding, and storytelling to help you differentiate yourself from the competitors.
Design is more than just making things pretty. It’s about solving problems and making life simple.
x, Esther
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