what is design in an essay

The Meaning of Design: What Design Is and Why It’s Important

What is design? Let’s find out in this guide on design meaning and its application in various industries.

What is design ? Most people think that design is about making things look pretty – a decoration. Art. But design is as much an art as it is a science. Cold and calculated process. Sometimes the detriment of pretty. Yet, the design is not allowed to fail. Design is for everyone and no one in particular. Website and mobile app design , as well as design in general, is a complex yet subtle process, it’s more than making things pretty.

Humans speak through languages and things speak through design. It seems today that nobody claims to speak a foreign language they haven’t studied but everybody thinks they know design .

Let’s dive in and try to understand – Why is design important?

• THE MANY-SIDED NATURE OF DESIGN

Your design doesn’t have to be original

Designers are not like their users.

• UX design is more than just usability

Design is not a stage of the project

Eye candy design works.

• Simple doesn’t mean minimal in design

Color in design

Typography in design, icons in design.

• For attention
• For feedback
• For progress

The many-sided nature of design

In simple and brief words, a design is a plan to make something.

“Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose.”  ― Charles Eames, American designer, architect, and filmmaker

The design meaning depends on the context and can also refer to a variety of other things. Design is the creation of an experience. It’s also the process of the said creation and how well it’s organized. On top of that, design is the result, i.e. the things we see, hear, and feel.

The meaning is so multifaceted, to the point that you can no longer say if a universal design definition is possible at all. You can, however, try to look at the sum of the parts to come up with a more realistic picture. So, Charles Eames said that design is all about purpose.

fantasizing… by SAM JI

The purpose of design

Every type of design exists to solve problems. To see the problem and find a solution, designers rely on data. So the toolset of the designer is based on research, not prettification.

It’s a common misconception that novelties and hype in design will sell a product. The only reason conventional and textbook design patterns exist is because they are tested, proven, and they work. According to Jakob’s Law of Internet User Experience , users spend most of their time on other sites, so it makes perfect sense to design for patterns for which users are accustomed.

We only implement new approaches if we are 100% positive they are better than the existing ones. This alone comes from a great deal of research.

The great design solution you are looking for is out there.

The real challenge is to find it.

Every time you make a user think through an ‘innovative’ navigation pattern or an unorthodox menu placement, it’s a chance to lose them. Not because they are dumb but because we gravitate to familiar things more than we do to the unknown. If we do go for it though, we make sure everything about the new design is bulletproof.

Attitude by SAM JI

Everybody has biases and it’s okay. Cognitive biases reduce the load and help us stay sane. That being said, it’s important to know whether your bias is damaging your design work.

Designers and owners know their product inside out. Their bias is called the Curse of Knowledge. It’s when you find it extremely difficult to think about problems from the perspective of lesser-informed people. On top of that, your goals are entirely different from those of the people you are building for.

People want to get things done, not listen about how cool you are.

What makes us different? If you are reading this, you are top of the food chain when it comes to computers. Most people are not and they don’t care. They don’t know what it takes to build a digital product just like we don’t know what it takes for our computers to work off the power line. Everybody knows something no one else does.

Oddly enough, the more employees a design company has, the stronger their detachment from real users. No matter how good they think they are. Ask Google about Buzz.

That is why it’s vital for design agencies to keep it humble and always research their users, study their goals and pains. The more we know about our users, the less biased we are. Eventually, people will have their own habits and biases about our product. But we have got to convert them first.

Submerged thoughts by SAM JI

UX design is more than just about usability

Usability is about making a product for people to accomplish their goals. UX design is a lot more robust than just that. It brings delight and meaning to ordinary things. Good UX design matters because it makes every step enjoyable, even the negative ones. If there is no network connection, the website should not die. If a page doesn’t exist, the 404 should not be a bummer. That’s a UX design job. It goes further beyond the familiar definition of user experience .

Here are some important UX design principles :

• Good design will crack you up. User satisfaction is no longer a goal. It’s a default every design solution should be in line with. However, the fun and delight are the goals. The hard sell times are past. Modern design seduces and brings pleasure.
• Good design will eat your money and make you feel good about it. Practical value is only a part of what people are willing to pay for. Another part is happiness. If your design makes people feel good, they will forgive you for technical issues and bad updates. How to make them happy? Be genuine and honest about your work. Listen. Change.
• Good design feels like a person. For people to care, they have to empathize with something. If a product is designed in a way that favors everything, it favors nothing. You make a social impact by having a strong distinctive voice, promoting the right kind of values, and identifying with your audience. No matter what type of business you do, there has to be a human side to it.
• Good design has meaning. Meaning connects people with objects. If that connection is meaningful, it will stay for years. The design should empower people to establish the connections they need to feel free, capable, and enlighted.

cover art by SAM JI

Design that Stands Out

Crafting Memorable User Experiences

What is design for deep tech circles? There is an idea that it is a time in the project when they draw sketches of the interfaces. It is not. Design starts when the owner first puts together the image of the product and ends when the project is done which is never done.

The choice of a business model can’t rely on the goals of the owners. There might be a natural talent and an insane gut feeling but it would be foolish to rest on them.

Knowledge of how the product could fit into people’s lives is UX. Knowledge of how to implement it is UI.

UX does not result in UI. It penetrates production, testing, analytics, support, and updates that follow the creation of just interfaces. Those who realize that a designer is more than just a pencil, end up with a consistent and reliable product as opposed to a patchwork of narrow tasks.

A business owner shouldn’t be surprised when no other than a designer will start asking them about their business strategy. In fact, a designer will only be drawing the UIs for 12.5% of the time they’ll be involved in the project.

It might appear that design, especially the digital one, takes itself too seriously. Indeed, there are usability geeks who don’t believe in the impact of design . They exemplify it by the unattractive likes of Reddit and Craigslist.

Design is no place for extremities. When there’s looks not backed by proper functionality, it’s empty. When it’s just handy and useful, there’s no emotion tied to it and it is also bad. To find the balance between usability and aesthetics, we need to know how attention works and what makes something perceived as beautiful .

To reach more people, your expertise has to spread thin and let emotions onboard users. The visual design drives emotion.

This is how web design works. The vibe of a website decides whether a person will stay and discover the features. Design is engineering in the sense that we know how to engineer delight. Through visual design, we bring meaning to ordinary things and help people find value.

An illustration is a shell for something that it represents on a deeper level. When we designed a professional platform for architects, we created an animation of elements that mimics the behavior of a construction site.

It might look subtle and may not seem worth the struggle at the early stages of design like wireframing and prototyping. But it’s important for a designer to keep in mind the image of the finished product. More so, the way you visually present your digital product says a lot about the brand in general.

No matter how good the service, if it doesn’t care for itself, neither will the people.

For skeptics, no attractive things don’t work better but they are always worth a try. Beautifully designed products get half of their credibility because of the visual appeal. It’s the developer’s job to pull the rest of the features to that level. Most people think if it looks good, it has to work well as well.

“ Usability is not everything . If usability engineers designed a nightclub, it would be clean, quiet, brightly lit, with lots of places to sit down, plenty of bartenders, menus written in 18-point sans-serif, and easy-to-find bathrooms. But nobody would be there. They would all be down the street at Coyote Ugly pouring beer on each other.” – Joel Spolsky

This is the impact of design . How the product looks while working is a game-changer.

closer view by SAM JI

Simple vs minimal in design

If you make a rating of comments on Dribbble , the ones that feature the words ‘clean’ and ‘simple’ will be well ahead of the rest. Simplicity has long become one of the staples in design. Because of that, there appeared a bunch of false beliefs that use the term ‘simplicity’ with regard to things that end up being far from simple. So what design is simple and what is minimal?

It’s important to know the distinction between the two UX design principles :

Simplicity is a reduced complexity

Minimalism is a reduced quantity

The practice of reducing and decluttering is a discipline of its own. To know what to reduce means to have confidence there will be no tension put on a user as the result of our design experiments. It’s called friction. Every design decision we make has to reduce friction. Sometimes it coerces designers into minimalism, hence the thriving trend for minimalism in web and app design. But it’s important to know where to stop.

Reducing the volume of text on buttons means substituting it with icons. But how universal are the icons? Are you 100% confident your mute icon is unambiguous and won’t mean radar to some? The Floppy Disk “Save” Icon is starting to lose a whole generation of people who have never seen one in real life.

Minimal interface design is not purpose-driven. It’s a style. Simplicity comes from our understanding of the experience no matter how many elements of design UI has.

The design has to be visible first so that it won’t do harm. The notorious hamburger menu has taken a beating but made its way into the designers’ minds and earned respect. What this shows is you can’t force minimalism and count on simplicity.

All Adobe products are insanely non-minimalistic. At the same time, they are perfectly clear in terms of performance and functionality. You can research the interface and make it simple, yours. But you can’t make yours something that’s not there.

To demonstrate the magnitude of the issue with simplicity and minimalism, let us bring Nielsen Norman Group’s UX case study of Tesla Model S’ 17-inch screen car interface. The main idea is that by mounting this tablet-like device on the dashboard, Tesla tapped into a realm of drivelessness and made the experience way more simple. They minimized the driver’s input but created a new pattern of behavior that might appear dangerous.

Take lane assistance. It minimizes the driver’s efforts to change lanes on one hand and dissolves their attention on the other. An engineer’s urge to minimize the pattern might cost someone their life.

Designers have to step in and take responsibility for the mental state we put people in with our products.

If it’s driving, we can’t simplify it and give people a full sense of security because. We can’t know all the possible outcomes of all the possible scenarios. Let people stay in charge, but make the experience clear and enjoyable.

Vintage wheels by SAM JI

User interface design

A user interface is the main touchpoint of a designed product and a user. The UI design is about providing a user with the simplest and most efficient way to interact with a product. In that sense, a designer has to be well aware of the following design thinking process steps :

• Condition or where the UI exists.
• Content or what the UI looks like.
• Context or who operates the UI.

Understanding each of these three gives a designer the most important tools to build a visual solution for any type of product.

To become visual, elements have to be designed. Those which are visible by nature, need design even more.

The UI has several fundamental elements of design that all have to be addressed with high-level awareness.

What most people and, sadly, many designers know about color does not do it enough justice. Color is the first thing we’d notice but the last we’d understand. Colors can’t be explained and described unless seen. They can’t be changed but can be learned and used. This is how nature communicates with you, and that is why color is so important in design. Ben Hersh wrote a great guide to color in design , you might want to check it out to better understand the question.

“Colors are powerful symbols by which you live or die; they’re worth paying attention to.” – Ben Hersh

Psychology separates color studies into a standalone discipline. Marketers know the basics of color theory in design and use it to stimulate people’s sense of security, alert, and so on. Designers use color to speak instead of words. Yet, colors don’t exist outside our consciousness.

Before the age of digital screens, people used colors as attributes of physical objects. That’s why there are so many color names attached to the toponyms (names of places). Like umber named after the soil in the Italian region of Umbria and turquoise from the French for “Turkish”. To become a recognized color, it had to exist in the real world.

As our understanding of color grew stronger, color theories began to pop out attempting to define, systemize, and classify colors.

From the Middle Ages to the 1970s’ advent of HSL and HSV color models, all the exploration and discovery lead us to the three colors: red, green, and blue.

Out of the combinations of these three, you can get virtually any color. However, this is the set we decide to stick to today. It has been different before and it might change in the future. There is no such thing as primary colors apart from those we decide to consider as such.

Prism by Jack Sabbath

We differentiate the current color models depending on the media they will be displayed on and the purpose of the visual presentation. We might leave out some colors which are not visible on the screens or include those which are not visible by the eye. Modern color technology is controlled by mathematics. But the problem is the variability of conditions under which we see these colors.

A modern color theory puts our brain in charge of our color perception depending on the context and looks to find the schemes and methods of producing colors accordingly.

“The color spaces we can see look more like psychedelic pinecones.” – Ben Hersh

Colors are the products of physics and mathematics but also intuitive and elusive enough to never let us rest.

Another thing that pops up every time there’s a talk about digital product content is typography. Technically, being just a shell for the meaning, it sometimes can be as significant as the meaning itself. Because if it doesn’t represent that meaning in good fashion, it will go unnoticed.

Text is the strongest medium of information. It might not be so much in terms of emotive response but definitely is in terms of being informative. Text is delivered by means of fonts, or typefaces, in general – typography.

Certain things only exist in one representation – text.

Typography is a design patrimony. Like any other design-specific method, typography is purpose-driven but also aesthetic. As a functional element, typography in the UI is used to guide people, invoke an action, and help them through the entire experience. That’s about the headings, titles, text in menus, buttons, CTAs, and so on.

Pet Care Website by Shakuro

When it comes to typography as an aesthetic element in web design, we implacably steer towards branding . Words express individuality which is the core of identity. Designers can boost that individuality through the usage of typefaces to reflect the unique character of a brand.

Typography as part of branding helps the product stand out.

Scroll by Yoga Perdana

Because nobody has time. We have lists everywhere . Lists are how we make sense of the abundance around us. We list foods, apps, TV channels, even friends of Facebook. This helps us structure the information and memorize it better. No wonder lists have made their way into web design where everything can be categorized. That’s how features, services, advantages, and payment plans started being aligned in lists.

Turned out, lists are good for structuring but do no good in the visual aspect.

For a list to become an attention anchor, it has to have a visual element to it. Compare the classic heading-text combo and an icon-heading-text combo:

MaRc – Diner List Component by Paarth Desai

Game designers took it even further and created systems of logically-connected icons representing different in-game assets. This is called Visual Synonymity .

Rank System by 60.o

There is a fine line between icons that convey a design meaning covering all bases in case the textual meaning is missed and pure decorative-functioning icons. We make sure icons work in the first place, which means they motivate a user to do what we expect from them.

Ideally, icons should work the way emojis do – as a universal language flexible enough to deliver any message cross-culturally and obvious enough to leave no second guesses 💡

Animation in design

Every physical object moves. They might be still technically, but in relation to the environment, they all move. As the Sun goes over a stone in the woods, the game of light and shadows enlivens the dead stone.

Our eyes and brain are designed to capture movement because it bears a lot of information. It’d be a shame to leave it unaccounted for.

Motion is the first thing we see in the product along with color, images, and typography. These four are the main contributors to the brand’s/product’s personality. It’s important for a product to have a stance on how it’s elements move and what stands behind that movement. But first, why animation is important in UX design:

• Illustrative. It can demonstrate the functionality or help understand it better.
• Amusing. Value can be expressed in many ways. Positivity is one of them.
• Familiar. We expect certain reactions from certain actions. Animation familiarizes.
• Engaging. We tend to follow patterns and animation is a great source of those.

Triumph Motorcycle Shop Animation by Shakuro

The reason to animate the interface depends on the goal of that specific interaction. Let’s take engaging a user and directing their attention. Since movement is something we instantly see, it makes sense to use animation for things like banner ads and spams. Ads aren’t expected to sell the product, as much as they hunt for views. A view is a sell and they will get it from you by using cheap tricks. Banner ads animation is definitely a cheap trick that works.

What are the principles of design in animation?

The principle itself is innocent though. More so, if we use animation to direct users in a way that helps them, the same banner ad principles might contribute to a good UX. For example, a file sending gone wrong does not have to be a pop-up with an error code or a “whoops” type message. We can attract attention to this by using a meaningful motion graphic.

Mail Warning Icon Animation by Ömer Korkmaz

This animation won’t get you confused about the success of your sending and will make sure you address the issue whatever that is. At the same time, it won’t be too intimidating because the animation is done in a friendly way.

Animation magnifies the satisfaction you get from successfully performing a task. The more complex the task, the more rewarding it should be. Motion is how we convey the mood and the attitude of a product to the user’s actions.

Submit Button by Claudio Scotto

Such animation can cover up the time needed to complete the technical request or form submission. The spinning bubble ensures there is work going on and appeals to our natural feeling of completion.

Most web processes have designated patterns that people recognize and expect. At the same time, with a variety of devices and screen media, it’s extremely challenging to maintain the same behavior with a lesser estate. This means we have to divide certain processes into comprehensible bits while mapping the entire progress.

This is how Google addresses a rather complicated and long process of copying information to Pixel phones.

The animation is a huge part of modern UI/UX design and we are just getting started with it. It’s a natural process of evolution that will ultimately make all animation meaningful and purposeful, forever cutting the ties to decoration. Added complexity will be replaced with modalities and subtle messages a well-thought-out animation certainly brings.

UX writing is a process of creating copy for user interfaces. Some of you might be surprised to see writing listed among the fundamental aspects of interface design. However, writing is the most important accomplishment in human history. We are surrounded by products that are just the recreation of someone’s ideas. Sometimes those ideas are centuries old. Ideas travel by words.

The reason why animal life is finite is the inability to pass the experience of one animal to another after it. As humans, we can do this.

We pass knowledge and multiply it. This is called collective thinking and it has writing in its core.

Words are how we think and define the world around us. Words are human experience coded in something massive and yet extremely fluid – the language. The design relies on such elements and shares a long and dramatic history with writing.

Just like designers build a collection of methods, principles, and tools, they tend to do the same with a vocabulary used in interfaces. Indeed, some companies have style guides. Then there are acknowledged guides like the Chicago Manual of Style , Microsoft Manual of Style , and Associated Press Manual . They contain general recommendations for writers and designers working on specific things – documents, guides, and other user-facing assets. They teach design thinking process steps and put a lid on the actual voice of the product.

Copywriting Keynote by Larissa Herbst

Design values individuality equally to usefulness. Tech culture took away individuality in writing only leaving it to the creative sphere. However, if the design speaks to the emotive perception, writing has to follow.

This is how UX writing was born. At some point, designers started using a specific vernacular to name the UI elements. Good or bad, they were authentic bits of text, specific for the product. We call it microcopy and it works like a regular copy with a tweak. The tweak is that even though the text is clear and simple, you can’t reuse it for another product. It won’t feel right, like something is missing. That something is context. Microcopy says things differently and exudes topicality.

Password Input + Microcopy by Mauricio Bucardo

All of a sudden the unification everybody was going for gave way to individuality through one of the best ways to pass information – words. Because words matter.

Some designers went astray and became… UX writers. And they started approaching writing with all their knowledge and skills of visual influence. The UX writing principles quickly found their form in a pyramid.

On paper, it’s quite simple but how do you put it to practice with real words and real problems?

Why we need design

Why do we use design in our everyday lives? As has been said at the beginning of this article, the meaning of design is basically about planning the most optimal way to reach a certain goal. From this perspective, everything that surrounds us is the result of design, and we design one thing or another every day, be it your breakfast or a complex report needed for your job. It’s something that is always around us holding everything together. Design is important in life because it’s an incredibly powerful force, forever changing and being changed.

Web and app design is about business goals at its heart. The value of good design is the heightened chances of success. It matters because, without an adequate design survey, every business venture is a shot in the dark. Maybe you get lucky, maybe you don’t. Professional web and app design give a company’s customers a better experience, and that’s what matters. Entrepreneurs are proud of their businesses, so why not make them perform even better, reflecting the companies’ personalities?

A good design can make people trust you more, alter customer perception, make you memorable, get your message across, make your product work to the fullest, and shine. A great one can do even more.

What is design ? Every professional and author, every team, and every company has its own design definition and understanding of what it does and what it’s all about. Each of them addresses the question of the meaning of design very differently.

But it seems that it all comes down to the simple fact that the meaning of design however it may vary depending on different projects, fields, and theories is not about beautification as such, but more of solving the specific tasks and making the lives of users better, clearer, more enjoyable.

Need a meaningful design for your app or website? Contact us and let’s work together on future projects.

The article was originally published in January 2020 and was updated in November 2020 to make it more relevant and comprehensive.

Written by Moses Kim

November 9, 2020

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• Designing Essay Assignments

by Gordon Harvey

Students often do their best and hardest thinking, and feel the greatest sense of mastery and growth, in their writing. Courses and assignments should be planned with this in mind. Three principles are paramount:

1. Name what you want and imagine students doing it

However free students are to range and explore in a paper, the general kind of paper you’re inviting has common components, operations, and criteria of success, and you should make these explicit. Having satisfied yourself, as you should, that what you’re asking is doable, with dignity, by writers just learning the material, try to anticipate in your prompt or discussions of the assignment the following queries:

• What is the purpose of this? How am I going beyond what we have done, or applying it in a new area, or practicing a key academic skill or kind of work?
• To what audience should I imagine myself writing?
• What is the main task or tasks, in a nutshell? What does that key word (e.g., analyze, significance of, critique, explore, interesting, support) really mean in this context or this field?
• What will be most challenging in this and what qualities will most distinguish a good paper? Where should I put my energy? (Lists of possible questions for students to answer in a paper are often not sufficiently prioritized to be helpful.)
• What misconceptions might I have about what I’m to do? (How is this like or unlike other papers I may have written?) Are there too-easy approaches I might take or likely pitfalls? An ambitious goal or standard that I might think I’m expected to meet but am not?
• What form will evidence take in my paper (e.g., block quotations? paraphrase? graphs or charts?) How should I cite it? Should I use/cite material from lecture or section?
• Are there some broad options for structure, emphasis, or approach that I’ll likely be choosing among?
• How should I get started on this? What would be a helpful (or unhelpful) way to take notes, gather data, discover a question or idea? Should I do research? 

2. Take time in class to prepare students to succeed at the paper

Resist the impulse to think of class meetings as time for “content” and of writing as work done outside class. Your students won’t have mastered the art of paper writing (if such a mastery is possible) and won’t know the particular disciplinary expectations or moves relevant to the material at hand. Take time in class to show them: 

• discuss the assignment in class when you give it, so students can see that you take it seriously, so they can ask questions about it, so they can have it in mind during subsequent class discussions;
• introduce the analytic vocabulary of your assignment into class discussions, and take opportunities to note relevant moves made in discussion or good paper topics that arise;
• have students practice key tasks in class discussions, or in informal writing they do in before or after discussions;
• show examples of writing that illustrates components and criteria of the assignment and that inspires (class readings can sometimes serve as illustrations of a writing principle; so can short excerpts of writing—e.g., a sampling of introductions; and so can bad writing—e.g., a list of problematic thesis statements);
• the topics of originality and plagiarism (what the temptations might be, how to avoid risks) should at some point be addressed directly. 

3. Build in process

Ideas develop over time, in a process of posing and revising and getting feedback and revising some more. Assignments should allow for this process in the following ways:

• smaller assignments should prepare for larger ones later;
• students should do some thinking and writing before they write a draft and get a response to it (even if only a response to a proposal or thesis statement sent by email, or described in class);
• for larger papers, students should write and get response (using the skills vocabulary of the assignment) to a draft—at least an “oral draft” (condensed for delivery to the class);
• if possible, meet with students individually about their writing: nothing inspires them more than feeling that you care about their work and development;
• let students reflect on their own writing, in brief cover letters attached to drafts and revisions (these may also ask students to perform certain checks on what they have written, before submitting);
• have clear and firm policies about late work that nonetheless allow for exception if students talk to you in advance.

• Pedagogy Workshops
• Responding to Student Writing
• Commenting Efficiently
• Vocabulary for Discussing Student Writing
• Guides to Teaching Writing
• HarvardWrites Instructor Toolkit
• Additional Resources for Teaching Fellows

Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, design principles – the big design principles you need to know to create compelling messages.

• © 2023 by Joseph M. Moxley - University of South Florida

Principles of design refer to the discourse conventions , artistic traditions, and theories that inform the design of messages, products, and services.  P.A.R.C. refers to the four primary design principles ( proximity , alignment , repetition , contrast that not only guide how artists and designers create impactful visual compositions , but also inform how readers interpret visual representations , such as infographics or tables and figures.  Learn about the principles of design so you can use the elements of design -- e.g.,  color , shape , line , texture, and space --  to communicate with clarity and authority. By learning about design principles, you can enhance your creative process, critically appreciate art and design, and deepen your understanding of how to create visually striking and meaningful compositions.

What are Design Principles?

Design principles , also known as principles of design , are the fundamental guidelines and artistic frameworks that shape the creation of visually compelling compositions. These principles — which include alignment , balance in its various forms (symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial), color theory , contrast , emphasis , proximity , and repetition — act as the “visual grammar” for creating and interpreting visual content. Unlike traditional language grammar, which dictates how words , phrases , sentences , and paragraphs can work together to create clarity , design principles guide the composition of visual elements to convey meaning effectively.

Much like how we internalize language grammar through reading and practice, our understanding of design principles is honed through a combination of observation, trial and error, and experiential learning. The pervasive culture of selfies serves as an example; the sheer volume of selfies taken annually—estimated at 450 selfies per person per year per person—offers myriad opportunities for hands-on practice in framing and composition.

Related Concepts: Design Thinking ; Elements of Design ; Visual Language

The Big 4 Design Principles: P.A.R.C (aka C.R.A.P)

In 2015 Robin Williams argued that non designers should be aware of four major design principles: Proximity , Alignment , Repetition , Contrast . These principles, sometimes referred to as P.A.R.C. or C.R.A.P., play a king-size role in any composition .

Proximity in design pertains to the strategic placement of related elements close to each other to create a cohesive group or section. This principle is used to enhance the organization and clarity of a composition. In writing, for example, you may see proximity in action when a paragraph is devoted to a single idea or argument. All supporting sentences are placed in close proximity to each other, reinforcing the main idea and making it easier for the reader to follow the argument. Tips : Place related items together. Chunk liked-minded content together and separate disparate chunks of content.

Alignment in design refers to the arrangement of elements along a common axis or grid to create visual harmony and order. This principle serves to improve the composition’s readability and cohesiveness. In visual mediums like graphics or web design, you may see alignment in action when text, images, and other elements are lined up consistently along margins or other guide lines. In writing, alignment can be observed when text is uniformly justified to the left or right, or perhaps centered, making the content easier to follow and more visually pleasing for the reader.

• In a web layout, the header, body text, and footer are often aligned to the same vertical axis, creating a clean and organized look.
• In a magazine or newspaper, columns of text are aligned to help guide the reader’s eye down the page.
• In infographics, the titles, subheadings, and data points are usually aligned to either a central axis or to each other, aiding in readability and viewer comprehension.
• In presentations, consistent alignment of text and visuals can help convey professionalism and improve the audience’s ability to absorb the information presented.
• In a novel, text is usually left-aligned, creating a uniform look that aids readability and allows the reader to focus on the story rather than the layout.

Repetition in design is used to create consistency and unity. It involves repeating visual elements such as shapes, colors, or patterns. In writing, repetition can serve a similar function. You might notice an author repeating a certain phrase, image, or theme throughout a piece of writing. This repeated element can underscore a central idea or emotion, lending coherence and emphasis to the work. For example, in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the phrase “I have a dream” is repeated multiple times to emphasize his vision of equality and freedom. Tips : Repeat design elements (e.g., consistency in alignment and headings) throughout a text. Repeat words and phrases for emphasis and clarity.

Contrast is a design principle that highlights the differences between elements to create visual interest or to guide the viewer’s attention to a particular area. In a visual composition, contrast can be achieved through differences in color, size, or shape. In writing, contrast can be employed to highlight differing viewpoints, to create tension, or to emphasize a particular point. For instance, an author might contrast a character’s actions with their stated intentions to reveal hypocrisy, or contrast a hopeful beginning with a tragic ending to create a poignant narrative arc. Tips : Create focus by using design elements (such as use of bold face or font) to highlight texts and the ideas behind those texts.

Since the publications of Williams’ book, The Non-Designer’s Design Book , other designers have seconded her opinion that these are the four most important considerations for anyone endeavoring to communicate visually. Examples:

• Zhenghui Shen. (n.d.). Robin Williams’ four basic design principles for non-designers . Wiredcraft .
• Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentation Zen . Pearson Education.

Other Principles of Design

Balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, & radial.

Balance in design refers to the distribution of visual weight in a composition. In symmetrical balance , elements are arranged evenly around a central axis, creating a mirror image on each side, which can convey a sense of calm and stability. An example in writing could be a well-structured argument where both sides of a debate are given equal attention, creating a balanced perspective for the reader. Asymmetrical balance , on the other hand, involves arranging elements of differing sizes or visual weights to create interest and dynamism while still achieving an overall sense of balance. In writing, this might look like balancing a detailed, lengthy discussion of one idea with shorter, but equally compelling, discussions of related ideas. Radial balance is when elements radiate from a common center. This type of balance can be seen in poetry or prose where themes or motifs radiate from a central idea or image, creating a sense of cohesion and unity in the piece.

Color – Color Theory

Color theory is a fundamental concept in visual design that explains how colors interact, how they affect one another, and how they influence human perception. In the realm of visual arts, color theory guides artists in choosing colors that evoke specific emotions, guide the viewer’s eye, or create a certain aesthetic. In writing, color theory translates into the mindful use of descriptive language to evoke specific feelings or moods. An author might describe a sunset in warm hues of red and orange to evoke a sense of tranquility, or a cityscape in stark monochrome to create a sense of alienation or melancholy. Color words can also symbolize various emotions or ideas; for instance, ‘seeing red’ might signify anger, while ‘feeling blue’ could represent sadness. Thus, understanding color theory can help writers use description and symbolism more effectively to influence readers’ perceptions and emotional responses. Colors, like words, have connotations. Be sure to choose colors that reflect your intentions.

Why Do Principles of Design Matter?

Enhances communication and engagement.

Effective design isn’t just aesthetically pleasing; it also facilitates better communication . By understanding and applying design principles, you can create compositions that allow your viewer to effortlessly absorb and interpret the presented information. This is especially critical in a world increasingly flooded with information, where grabbing and holding attention is a key challenge.

Influences Emotional Impact

Good design can evoke emotional responses that reinforce the message or purpose behind a composition. Whether it’s evoking a sense of urgency, nostalgia, happiness, or any other emotion, design principles guide creators in generating the desired emotional impact.

Encourages Efficient Information Processing

The human brain is wired to recognize patterns and structures, and the principles of design play into this natural inclination. Utilizing concepts like alignment , balance , and contrast makes information easier to digest. This is especially valuable in academic and professional settings , where complex data or concepts often need to be understood quickly and clearly.

Nurtures Creative Problem-Solving

Design principles are not rigid rules but rather guidelines that can be adapted and manipulated to solve specific design challenges. Understanding these principles equips you with the tools to be an effective problem solver. You’re not just placing elements haphazardly; you’re strategically organizing them to convey meaning or to guide the viewer’s eye.

Elevates Branding and Identity

In a commercial context, consistent and effective design is crucial for brand recognition and trust. Companies invest heavily in making sure their visual communication is in line with their identity, which is guided by design principles.

Increases Accessibility

Good design isn’t just for the benefit of the average user; it also considers those with disabilities. Principles like contrast and proximity are essential for making designs that are inclusive and accessible to everyone, thereby widening the reach of your message.

Reinforces Credibility and Professionalism

Well-executed design signifies a level of professionalism that can set you apart from competitors or affirm your credibility in academic and professional settings. A poorly designed report, presentation, or website can inadvertently cast doubt on the quality of the content it holds.

Facilitates Multidisciplinary Applications

The universality of design principles means they can be applied across various disciplines, not just in arts and graphic design. Whether you’re laying out a business report, creating a presentation, or displaying data in a graph, design principles help in making the output functional and impactful.

Understanding and applying the Principles of Design is, therefore, not just an added skill but a critical competency for effective communication in our visually saturated world.

In summary, Design Principles inform reading and writing practices . They constitute a basic literacy competency for a knowledge worker , especially given the visual turn in professional , workplace , and academic writing . Declarative and tacit knowledge of design principles can help you avoid creating discordant designs that detract from your intended purpose .

Williams, R. (2015). The Non-designer’s design book. Peachpit Press.

Shen, Z. (n.d.). Robin Williams’ four basic design principles for non-designers. Wiredcraft. https://wiredcraft.com/blog/robin-williams-four-basic-design-principles-for-non-designers/

Related Articles:

Gestalt, Gestalt Theory

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What is Design Thinking and Why Is It So Popular?

Design Thinking is not an exclusive property of designers—all great innovators in literature, art, music, science, engineering, and business have practiced it. So, why call it Design Thinking? What’s special about Design Thinking is that designers’ work processes can help us systematically extract, teach, learn and apply these human-centered techniques to solve problems in a creative and innovative way—in our designs, in our businesses, in our countries, in our lives.

Some of the world’s leading brands, such as Apple, Google and Samsung, rapidly adopted the design thinking approach, and leading universities around the world teach the related methodology—including Stanford, Harvard, Imperial College London and the Srishti Institute in India. Before you incorporate design thinking into your own workflows, you need to know what it is and why it’s so popular. Here, we’ll cut to the chase and tell you what design thinking is all about and why it’s so in demand.

What is Design Thinking?

Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize , 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test.

Design thinking is an iterative process in which you seek to understand your users, challenge assumptions , redefine problems and create innovative solutions which you can prototype and test. The overall goal is to identify alternative strategies and solutions that are not instantly apparent with your initial level of understanding.

Design thinking is more than just a process; it opens up an entirely new way to think, and it offers a collection of hands-on methods to help you apply this new mindset.

In essence, design thinking:

Revolves around a deep interest to understand the people for whom we design products and services.

Helps us observe and develop empathy with the target users.

Enhances our ability to question: in design thinking you question the problem, the assumptions and the implications.

Proves extremely useful when you tackle problems that are ill-defined or unknown.

Involves ongoing experimentation through sketches , prototypes, testing and trials of new concepts and ideas.

• Transcript loading…

In this video, Don Norman , the Grandfather of Human-Centered Design , explains how the approach and flexibility of design thinking can help us tackle major global challenges.

What Are the 5 Phases of Design Thinking?

Hasso-Platner Institute Panorama

Ludwig Wilhelm Wall, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test. You can carry these stages out in parallel, repeat them and circle back to a previous stage at any point in the process.

The core purpose of the process is to allow you to work in a dynamic way to develop and launch innovative ideas.

Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test.

Design Thinking Makes You Think Outside the Box

Design thinking can help people do out-of-the-box or outside-the-box thinking. People who use this methodology:

Attempt to develop new ways of thinking —ways that do not abide by the dominant or more common problem-solving methods.

Have the intention to improve products, services and processes. They seek to analyze and understand how users interact with products to investigate the conditions in which they operate.

Ask significant questions and challenge assumptions. One element of outside-the-box / out-of-the-box thinking is to to make previous assumptions falsifiable—i.e., make it possible to prove whether they’re valid or not.

As you can see, design thinking offers us a means to think outside the box and also dig that bit deeper into problem-solving. It helps us carry out the right kind of research, create prototypes and test our products and services to uncover new ways to meet our users’ needs.

The Grand Old Man of User Experience , Don Norman, who also coined the very term User Experience , explains what Design Thinking is and what’s so special about it:

“…the more I pondered the nature of design and reflected on my recent encounters with engineers, business people and others who blindly solved the problems they thought they were facing without question or further study, I realized that these people could benefit from a good dose of design thinking. Designers have developed a number of techniques to avoid being captured by too facile a solution. They take the original problem as a suggestion, not as a final statement, then think broadly about what the real issues underlying this problem statement might really be (for example by using the " Five Whys " approach to get at root causes). Most important of all, is that the process is iterative and expansive. Designers resist the temptation to jump immediately to a solution to the stated problem. Instead, they first spend time determining what the basic, fundamental (root) issue is that needs to be addressed. They don't try to search for a solution until they have determined the real problem, and even then, instead of solving that problem, they stop to consider a wide range of potential solutions. Only then will they finally converge upon their proposal. This process is called "Design Thinking." — Don Norman, Rethinking Design Thinking

Design Thinking is for Everybody

How many people are involved in the design process when your organization decides to create a new product or service? Teams that build products are often composed of people from a variety of different departments. For this reason, it can be difficult to develop, categorize and organize ideas and solutions for the problems you try to solve. One way you can keep a project on track, and organize the core ideas, is to use a design thinking approach—and everybody can get involved in that!

Tim Brown, CEO of the celebrated innovation and design firm IDEO, emphasizes this in his successful book Change by Design when he says design thinking techniques and strategies belong at every level of a business.

Design thinking is not only for designers but also for creative employees, freelancers and leaders who seek to infuse it into every level of an organization. This widespread adoption of design thinking will drive the creation of alternative products and services for both business and society.

“Design thinking begins with skills designers have learned over many decades in their quest to match human needs with available technical resources within the practical constraints of business. By integrating what is desirable from a human point of view with what is technologically feasible and economically viable, designers have been able to create the products we enjoy today. Design thinking takes the next step, which is to put these tools into the hands of people who may have never thought of themselves as designers and apply them to a vastly greater range of problems.” — Tim Brown, Change by Design, Introduction

Design thinking techniques and strategies belong at every level of a business. You should involve colleagues from a wide range of departments to create a cross-functional team that can utilize knowledge and experience from different specialisms.

Tim Brown also shows how design thinking is not just for everybody—it’s about everybody, too. The process is firmly based on how you can generate a holistic and empathic understanding of the problems people face. Design thinking involves ambiguous, and inherently subjective, concepts such as emotions, needs, motivations and drivers of behavior .

In a solely scientific approach (for example, analyzing data), people are reduced to representative numbers, devoid of emotions. Design thinking, on the other hand, considers both quantitative as well as qualitative dimensions to gain a more complete understanding of user needs . For example, you might observe people performing a task such as shopping for groceries, and you might talk to a few shoppers who feel frustrated with the checkout process at the store (qualitative data). You can also ask them how many times a week they go shopping or feel a certain way at the checkout counter (quantitative data). You can then combine these data points to paint a holistic picture of user pain points, needs and problems.

Tim Brown sums up that design thinking provides a third way to look at problems. It’s essentially a problem-solving approach that has crystallized in the field of design to combine a holistic user-centered perspective with rational and analytical research—all with the goal to create innovative solutions.

“Design thinking taps into capacities we all have but that are overlooked by more conventional problem-solving practices. It is not only human-centered; it is deeply human in and of itself. Design thinking relies on our ability to be intuitive, to recognize patterns, to construct ideas that have emotional meaning as well as functionality, to express ourselves in media other than words or symbols. Nobody wants to run a business based on feeling, intuition, and inspiration, but an overreliance on the rational and the analytical can be just as dangerous. The integrated approach at the core of the design process suggests a ‘third way.’” — Tim Brown, Change by Design, Introduction

Design Thinking Has a Scientific Side

Design thinking is both an art and a science. It combines investigations into ambiguous elements of the problem with rational and analytical research —the scientific side in other words. This magical concoction reveals previously unknown parameters and helps to uncover alternative strategies which lead to truly innovative solutions.

The scientific activities analyze how users interact with products, and investigate the conditions in which they operate. They include tasks which:

Research users’ needs.

Pool experience from previous projects.

Consider present and future conditions specific to the product.

Test the parameters of the problem.

Test the practical application of alternative problem solutions.

Once you arrive at a number of potential solutions, the selection process is then underpinned by rationality. As a designer, you are encouraged to analyze and falsify these solutions to arrive at the best available option for each problem or obstacle identified during phases of the design process.

With this in mind, it may be more correct to say design thinking is not about thinking outside the box, but on its edge, its corner, its flap, and under its bar code—as Clint Runge put it.

Clint Runge is Founder and Managing Director of Archrival, a distinguished youth marketing agency, and adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Resetting Our Mental Boxes and Developing a Fresh Mindset

Thinking outside of the box can provide an innovative solution to a sticky problem. However, thinking outside of the box can be a real challenge as we naturally develop patterns of thinking that are modeled on the repetitive activities and commonly accessed knowledge we surround ourselves with.

Some years ago, an incident occurred where a truck driver tried to pass under a low bridge. But he failed, and the truck was lodged firmly under the bridge. The driver was unable to continue driving through or reverse out.

The story goes that as the truck became stuck, it caused massive traffic problems, which resulted in emergency personnel, engineers, firefighters and truck drivers gathering to devise and negotiate various solutions for dislodging the trapped vehicle.

Emergency workers were debating whether to dismantle parts of the truck or chip away at parts of the bridge. Each spoke of a solution that fitted within his or her respective level of expertise.

A boy walking by and witnessing the intense debate looked at the truck, at the bridge, then looked at the road and said nonchalantly, “Why not just let the air out of the tires?” to the absolute amazement of all the specialists and experts trying to unpick the problem.

When the solution was tested, the truck was able to drive free with ease, having suffered only the damage caused by its initial attempt to pass underneath the bridge. The story symbolizes the struggles we face where oftentimes the most obvious solutions are the ones hardest to come by because of the self-imposed constraints we work within.

It’s often difficult for us humans to challenge our assumptions and everyday knowledge because we rely on building patterns of thinking in order to not have to learn everything from scratch every time. We rely on doing everyday processes more or less unconsciously—for example, when we get up in the morning, eat, walk, and read—but also when we assess challenges at work and in our private lives. In particular, experts and specialists rely on their solid thought patterns, and it can be very challenging and difficult for experts to start questioning their knowledge.

Stories Have the Power to Inspire

Why did we tell you this story about the truck and the bridge? Well, it’s because stories can help us inspire opportunities, ideas and solutions. Stories are framed around real people and their lives and are important because they’re accounts of specific events, not general statements. They provide us with concrete details which help us imagine solutions to particular problems.

Stories also help you develop the eye of a designer. As you walk around the world, you should try to look for the design stories that are all around you. Say to yourself “that’s an example of great design” or “that's an example of really bad design ” and try to figure out the reasons why.

When you come across something particularly significant, make sure you document it either through photos or video. This will prove beneficial not only to you and your design practice but also to others—your future clients, maybe.

The Take Away

Design Thinking is an iterative and non-linear process. This simply means that the design team continuously uses their results to review, question and improve their initial assumptions, understandings and results. Results from the final stage of the initial work process inform our understanding of the problem, help us determine the parameters of the problem, enable us to redefine the problem, and, perhaps most importantly, provide us with new insights so we can see any alternative solutions that might not have been available with our previous level of understanding.

Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process that consists of 5 phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test. You can carry out the stages in parallel, repeat them and circle back to a previous stage at any point in the process—you don’t have to follow them in order.

It’s a process that digs a bit deeper into problem-solving as you seek to understand your users, challenge assumptions and redefine problems. The design thinking process has both a scientific and artistic side to it, as it asks us to understand and challenge our natural, restrictive patterns of thinking and generate innovative solutions to the problems our users face.

Design thinking is essentially a problem-solving approach that has the intention to improve products. It helps you assess and analyze known aspects of a problem and identify the more ambiguous or peripheral factors that contribute to the conditions of a problem. This contrasts with a more scientific approach where the concrete and known aspects are tested in order to arrive at a solution.

The iterative and ideation -oriented nature of design thinking means we constantly question and acquire knowledge throughout the process. This helps us redefine a problem so we can identify alternative strategies and solutions that aren’t instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding.

Design thinking is often referred to as outside-the-box thinking, as designers attempt to develop new ways of thinking that do not abide by the dominant or more common problem-solving methods—just like artists do.

The design thinking process has become increasingly popular over the last few decades because it was key to the success of many high-profile, global organizations. This outside-the-box thinking is now taught at leading universities across the world and is encouraged at every level of business.

“The ‘Design Thinking’ label is not a myth. It is a description of the application of well-tried design process to new challenges and opportunities, used by people from both design and non-design backgrounds. I welcome the recognition of the term and hope that its use continues to expand and be more universally understood, so that eventually every leader knows how to use design and design thinking for innovation and better results.” — Bill Moggridge, co-founder of IDEO, in Design Thinking: Dear Don

References & Where to Learn More

Enroll in our engaging course, “Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide”

Here are some examples of good and bad designs to inspire you to look for examples in your daily life.

Read this informative article “What Is Design Thinking, and How Can SMBs Accomplish It?” by Jackie Dove.

Read this insightful article “Rethinking Design Thinking” by Don Norman.

Check out Tim Brown’s book “Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation Introduction,” 2009.

Learn more about Design Thinking in the article “Design Thinking: Dear Don” by Bill Moggridge.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 3.0

Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide

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What Is Design Thinking & Why Is It Important?

• 18 Jan 2022

In an age when innovation is key to business success and growth, you’ve likely come across the term “design thinking.” Perhaps you’ve heard it mentioned by a senior leader as something that needs to be utilized more, or maybe you’ve seen it on a prospective employee's resume.

While design thinking is an ideology based on designers’ workflows for mapping out stages of design, its purpose is to provide all professionals with a standardized innovation process to develop creative solutions to problems—design-related or not.

Why is design thinking needed? Innovation is defined as a product, process, service, or business model featuring two critical characteristics: novel and useful. Yet, there’s no use in creating something new and novel if people won’t use it. Design thinking offers innovation the upgrade it needs to inspire meaningful and impactful solutions.

But what is design thinking, and how does it benefit working professionals?

What Is Design Thinking?

Design thinking is a mindset and approach to problem-solving and innovation anchored around human-centered design . While it can be traced back centuries—and perhaps even longer—it gained traction in the modern business world after Tim Brown, CEO and president of design company IDEO, published an article about it in the Harvard Business Review .

Design thinking is different from other innovation and ideation processes in that it’s solution-based and user-centric rather than problem-based. This means it focuses on the solution to a problem instead of the problem itself.

For example, if a team is struggling with transitioning to remote work, the design thinking methodology encourages them to consider how to increase employee engagement rather than focus on the problem (decreasing productivity).

The essence of design thinking is human-centric and user-specific. It’s about the person behind the problem and solution, and requires asking questions such as “Who will be using this product?” and “How will this solution impact the user?”

The first, and arguably most important, step of design thinking is building empathy with users. By understanding the person affected by a problem, you can find a more impactful solution. On top of empathy, design thinking is centered on observing product interaction, drawing conclusions based on research, and ensuring the user remains the focus of the final implementation.

The Four Phases of Innovation

So, what does design thinking entail? There are many models of design thinking that range from three to seven steps.

In the online course Design Thinking and Innovation , Harvard Business School Dean Srikant Datar leverages a four-phase innovation framework. The phases venture from concrete to abstract thinking and back again as the process loops, reverses, and repeats. This is an important balance because abstract thinking increases the likelihood that an idea will be novel. It’s essential, however, to anchor abstract ideas in concrete thinking to ensure the solution is valid and useful.

Here are the four phases for effective innovation and, by extension, design thinking.

The first phase is about narrowing down the focus of the design thinking process. It involves identifying the problem statement to come up with the best outcome. This is done through observation and taking the time to determine the problem and the roadblocks that prevented a solution in the past.

Various tools and frameworks are available—and often needed—to make concrete observations about users and facts gathered through research. Regardless of which tools are implemented, the key is to observe without assumptions or biased expectations.

Once findings from your observations are collected, the next step is to shape insights by framing those observations. This is where you can venture into the abstract by reframing the problem in the form of a statement or question.

Once the problem statement or question has been solidified—not finalized—the next step is ideation. You can use a tool such as systematic inventive thinking (SIT) in this stage, which is useful for creating an innovative process that can be replicated in the future.

The goal is to ultimately overcome cognitive fixedness and devise new and innovative ideas that solve the problems you identified. Continue to actively avoid assumptions and keep the user at the forefront of your mind during ideation sessions.

The third phase involves developing concepts by critiquing a range of possible solutions. This includes multiple rounds of prototyping, testing, and experimenting to answer critical questions about a concept’s viability.

Remember: This step isn’t about perfection, but rather, experimenting with different ideas and seeing which parts work and which don’t.

4. Implement

The fourth and final phase, implementation, is when the entire process comes together. As an extension of the develop phase, implementation starts with testing, reflecting on results, reiterating, and testing again. This may require going back to a prior phase to iterate and refine until you find a successful solution. Such an approach is recommended because design thinking is often a nonlinear, iterative process.

In this phase, don’t forget to share results with stakeholders and reflect on the innovation management strategies implemented during the design thinking process. Learning from experience is an innovation process and design thinking project all its own.

Check out the video about the design thinking process below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more explainer content!

Why Design Thinking Skills Matter

The main value of design thinking is that it offers a defined process for innovation. While trial and error is a good way to test and experiment what works and what doesn’t, it’s often time-consuming, expensive, and ultimately ineffective. On the other hand, following the concrete steps of design thinking is an efficient way to develop new, innovative solutions.

On top of a clear, defined process that enables strategic innovation, design thinking can have immensely positive outcomes for your career—in terms of both advancement and salary.

As of December 2021, the most common occupations requiring design thinking skills were:

• Marketing managers
• Industrial engineers
• Graphic designers
• Software developers
• General and operations managers
• Management analysts
• Personal service managers
• Architectural and engineering managers
• Computer and information systems managers

In addition, jobs that require design thinking statistically have higher salaries. Take a marketing manager position, for example. The median annual salary is $107,900. Marketing manager job postings that require design thinking skills, however, have a median annual salary of $133,900—a 24 percent increase.

Overall, businesses are looking for talent with design thinking skills. As of November 2021, there were 29,648 job postings in the United States advertising design thinking as a necessary skill—a 153 percent increase from November 2020, and a 637 percent increase from November 2017.

As businesses continue to recognize the need for design thinking and innovation, they’ll likely create more demand for employees with those skills.

Learning Design Thinking

Design thinking is an extension of innovation that allows you to design solutions for end users with a single problem statement in mind. It not only imparts valuable skills but can help advance your career.

It’s also a collaborative endeavor that can only be mastered through practice with peers. As Datar says in the introduction to Design Thinking and Innovation : “Just as with learning how to swim, the best way to practice is to jump in and try.”

If you want to learn design thinking, take an active role in your education. Start polls, problem-solving exercises, and debates with peers to get a taste of the process. It’s also important to seek out diverse viewpoints to prepare yourself for the business world.

In addition, if you’re considering adding design thinking to your skill set, think about your goals and why you want to learn about it. What else might you need to be successful?

You might consider developing your communication, innovation, leadership, research, and management skills, as those are often listed alongside design thinking in job postings and professional profiles.

You may also notice skills like agile methodology, user experience, and prototyping in job postings, along with non-design skills, such as product management, strategic planning, and new product development.

Is Design Thinking Right for You?

There are many ways to approach problem-solving and innovation. Design thinking is just one of them. While it’s beneficial to learn how others have approached problems and evaluate if you have the same tools at your disposal, it can be more important to chart your own course to deliver what users and customers truly need.

You can also pursue an online course or workshop that dives deeper into design thinking methodology. This can be a practical path if you want to improve your design thinking skills or require a more collaborative environment.

Are you ready to develop your design thinking skills? Explore our online course Design Thinking and Innovation to discover how to leverage fundamental design thinking principles and innovative problem-solving tools to address business challenges.

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what is design?

What is design?

Design is a discipline of study and practice focused on the interaction between a person — a ‘user’— and the man-made environment, taking into account aesthetic, functional, contextual, cultural and societal considerations. As a formalised discipline, design is a modern construct.

Concretely, most people’s experience of design stems from their daily interaction with physical objects, built spaces and digital environments. We interact with what is around us, and each other, through designed constructs. Clothing, devices, transportation, user-interfaces, the landscape, the city, even the chair you are sitting in, were all designed by a designer. 

Beyond their functional and formal attributes, these designed artefacts impact cultural meaning, expressing, reflecting and even forming cultural norms. The field of design is made up not only of practitioners but also educators, authors, journalists, critics and researchers; yielding a rich theoretical canon. 

Whereas we would once have defined design strictly in relation to the concrete world, spanning “ dal cucchiaio alla citta ” (from the spoon to the city — attributed to Ernesto Rogers), today “design is expanding its disciplinary, conceptual, theoretical, and methodological frameworks to encompass ever-wider disciplines, activities and practice” [ Rogers and Bremner ]  Today designers work on business strategy, they create virtual environments, they craft digital interfaces, they design service systems and new branches of design are evolving continuously.

Seemingly disparate as these examples may be, they share a common fundament. Regardless of the application, designers follow design methodology and a set of fundamental notions, which inform their approach. Designers are trained to analyse problems holistically, searching to understand not only the immediate or obvious problem but the system that created it. Designers approach the solution from the vantage point of the end-user, seeking to optimise for the specific needs and capabilities of that individual or group.  Designers strive to ‘do more with less,’ they maximise economy (of materials, of investment, of energy, etc.) through creativity and ingenuity; this idea is central to design.

design, designers, designing & designs

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How to Structure an Essay

Essay writing is a fundamental skill, a basic task, that is expected of those who choose to pursue their undergraduate and master’s degrees. It constitutes a key requirement for students to complete a given course credit. However, many students and early career researchers find themselves struggling with the challenge of organizing their thoughts into a coherent, engaging structure. This article is especially for those who see essay writing as a daunting task and face problems in presenting their work in an impactful way.  

Table of Contents

• Writing an essay: basic elements and some key principles  
• Essay structure template 
• Chronological structure 
• Problem-methods-solutions structure 
• Compare and contrast structures 
• Frequently asked questions on essay structure 

Read on as we delve into the basic elements of essay writing, outline key principles for organizing information, and cover some foundational features of writing essays.  

Writing an essay: basic elements and some key principles

Essays are written in a flowing and continuous pattern but with a structure of its own. An introduction, body and conclusion are integral to it. The key is to balance the amount and kind of information to be presented in each part. Various disciplines may have their own conventions or guidelines on the information to be provided in the introduction.  

A clear articulation of the context and background of the study is important, as is the definition of key terms and an outline of specific models or theories used. Readers also need to know the significance of the study and its implications for further research. Most importantly, the thesis or the main proposition should be clearly presented.  

The body of the essay is therefore organized into paragraphs that hold the main ideas and arguments and is presented and analyzed in a logical manner. Ideally, each paragraph of the body focuses on one main point or a distinct topic and must be supported by evidence and analysis. The concluding paragraph should bring back to the reader the key arguments, its significance and food for thought. It is best not to re-state all the points of the essay or introduce a new concept here. 

In other words, certain general guidelines help structure the information in the essay. The information must flow logically with the context or the background information presented in the introductory part of the essay. The arguments are built organically where each paragraph in the body of the essay deals with a different point, yet closely linked to the para preceding and following it. Importantly, when writing essays, early career researchers must be careful in ensuring that each piece of information relates to the main thesis and is a building block to the arguments. 

Essay structure template

• Introduction 
• Provide the context and share significance of the study 
• Clearly articulate the thesis statement 
• Body  
• Paragraph 1 consisting of the first main point, followed by supporting evidence and an analysis of the findings. Transitional words and phrases can be used to move to the next main point. 
• There can be as many paragraphs with the above-mentioned elements as there are points and arguments to support your thesis. 
• Conclusion  
• Bring in key ideas and discuss their significance and relevance 
• Call for action 
• References 

Essay structures

The structure of an essay can be determined by the kind of essay that is required.  

Chronological structure

Also known as the cause-and-effect approach, this is a straightforward way to structure an essay. In such essays, events are discussed sequentially, as they occurred from the earliest to the latest. A chronological structure is useful for discussing a series of events or processes such as historical analyses or narratives of events. The introduction should have the topic sentence. The body of the essay should follow a chorological progression with each para discussing a major aspect of that event with supporting evidence. It ends with a summarizing of the results of the events.  

Problem-methods-solutions structure

Where the essay focuses on a specific problem, the problem-methods-solutions structure can be used to organize the essay. This structure is ideal for essays that address complex issues. It starts with presenting the problem, the context, and thesis statement as introduction to the essay. The major part of the discussion which forms the body of the essay focuses on stating the problem and its significance, the author’s approach or methods adopted to address the problem along with its relevance, and accordingly proposing solution(s) to the identified problem. The concluding part offers a recap of the research problem, methods, and proposed solutions, emphasizing their significance and potential impact. 

Compare and contrast structures

This structure of essay writing is ideally used when two or more key subjects require a comparison of ideas, theories, or phenomena. The three crucial elements, introduction, body, and conclusion, remain the same. The introduction presents the context and the thesis statement. The body of the essay seeks to focus on and highlight differences between the subjects, supported by evidence and analysis. The conclusion is used to summarize the key points of comparison and contrast, offering insights into the significance of the analysis.  

Depending on how the subjects will be discussed, the body of the essay can be organized according to the block method or the alternating method. In the block method, one para discusses one subject and the next para the other subject. In the alternative method, both subjects are discussed in one para based on a particular topic or issue followed by the next para on another issue and so on.  

Frequently asked questions on essay structure

An essay structure serves as a framework for presenting ideas coherently and logically. It comprises three crucial elements: an introduction that communicates the context, topic, and thesis statement; the body focusing on the main points and arguments supported with appropriate evidence followed by its analysis; and a conclusion that ties together the main points and its importance .  

An essay structure well-defined essay structure enhances clarity, coherence, and readability, and is crucial for organizing ideas and arguments to effectively communicate key aspects of a chosen topic. It allows readers to better understand arguments presented and demonstrates the author’s ability to organize and present information systematically. 

Yes, while expert recommend following an essay structure, early career researchers may choose how best to adapt standard essay structures to communicate and share their research in an impactful and engaging way. However, do keep in mind that deviating too far from established structures can hinder comprehension and weaken the overall effectiveness of the essay,  By understanding the basic elements of essay writing and employing appropriate structures such as chronological, problem-methods-solutions, or compare and contrast, researchers can effectively organize their ideas and communicate their findings with clarity and precision. 

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 3 popular essay formats: which should you use.

General Education

Not sure which path your essay should follow? Formatting an essay may not be as interesting as choosing a topic to write about or carefully crafting elegant sentences, but it’s an extremely important part of creating a high-quality paper. In this article, we’ll explain essay formatting rules for three of the most popular essay styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago.

For each, we’ll do a high-level overview of what your essay’s structure and references should look like, then we include a comparison chart with nitty-gritty details for each style, such as which font you should use for each and whether they’re a proponent of the Oxford comma. We also include information on why essay formatting is important and what you should do if you’re not sure which style to use.

Why Is Your Essay Format Important?

Does it really matter which font size you use or exactly how you cite a source in your paper? It can! Style formats were developed as a way to standardize how pieces of writing and their works cited lists should look. 

Why is this necessary? Imagine you’re a teacher, researcher, or publisher who reviews dozens of papers a week. If the papers didn’t follow the same formatting rules, you could waste a lot of time trying to figure out which sources were used, if certain information is a direct quote or paraphrased, even who the paper’s author is. Having essay formatting rules to follow makes things easier for everyone involved. Writers can follow a set of guidelines without trying to decide for themselves which formatting choices are best, and readers don’t need to go hunting for the information they’re trying to find.

Next, we’ll discuss the three most common style formats for essays.

MLA Essay Format

MLA style was designed by the Modern Language Association, and it has become the most popular college essay format for students writing papers for class. It was originally developed for students and researchers in the literature and language fields to have a standardized way of formatting their papers, but it is now used by people in all disciplines, particularly humanities. MLA is often the style teachers prefer their students to use because it has simple, clear rules to follow without extraneous inclusions often not needed for school papers. For example, unlike APA or Chicago styles, MLA doesn’t require a title page for a paper, only a header in the upper left-hand corner of the page.

MLA style doesn’t have any specific requirements for how to write your essay, but an MLA format essay will typically follow the standard essay format of an introduction (ending with a thesis statement), several body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

One of the nice things about creating your works cited for MLA is that all references are structured the same way, regardless of whether they’re a book, newspaper, etc. It’s the only essay format style that makes citing references this easy! Here is a guide on how to cite any source in MLA format. When typing up your works cited, here are a few MLA format essay rules to keep in mind:

• The works cited page should be the last paper of your paper.
• This page should still be double-spaced and include the running header of your last name and page number.
• It should begin with “Works Cited” at the top of the page, centered.
• Your works cited should be organized in alphabetical order, based on the first word of the citation.

APA Essay Format

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. This format type is most often used for research papers, specifically those in behavioral sciences (such as psychology and neuroscience) and social sciences (ranging from archeology to economics). Because APA is often used for more research-focused papers, they have a more specific format to follow compared to, say, MLA style.

All APA style papers begin with a title page, which contains the title of the paper (in capital letters), your name, and your institutional affiliation (if you’re a student, then this is simply the name of the school you attend). The APA recommends the title of your paper not be longer than 12 words.

After your title page, your paper begins with an abstract. The abstract is a single paragraph, typically between 150 to 250 words, that sums up your research. It should include the topic you’re researching, research questions, methods, results, analysis, and a conclusion that touches on the significance of the research. Many people find it easier to write the abstract last, after completing the paper.

After the abstract comes the paper itself. APA essay format recommends papers be short, direct, and make their point clearly and concisely. This isn’t the time to use flowery language or extraneous descriptions. Your paper should include all the sections mentioned in the abstract, each expanded upon.

Following the paper is the list of references used. Unlike MLA style, in APA essay format, every source type is referenced differently. So the rules for referencing a book are different from those for referencing a journal article are different from those referencing an interview. Here’s a guide for how to reference different source types in APA format . Your references should begin on a new page that says “REFERENCES” at the top, centered. The references should be listed in alphabetical order.

Chicago Essay Format

Chicago style (sometimes referred to as “Turabian style”) was developed by the University of Chicago Press and is typically the least-used by students of the three major essay style formats. The Chicago Manual of Style (currently on its 17th edition) contains within its 1000+ pages every rule you need to know for this style. This is a very comprehensive style, with a rule for everything. It’s most often used in history-related fields, although many people refer to The Chicago Manual of Style for help with a tricky citation or essay format question. Many book authors use this style as well.

Like APA, Chicago style begins with a title page, and it has very specific format rules for doing this which are laid out in the chart below. After the title page may come an abstract, depending on whether you’re writing a research paper or not. Then comes the essay itself. The essay can either follow the introduction → body → conclusion format of MLA or the different sections included in the APA section. Again, this depends on whether you’re writing a paper on research you conducted or not.

Unlike MLA or APA, Chicago style typically uses footnotes or endnotes instead of in-text or parenthetical citations. You’ll place the superscript number at the end of the sentence (for a footnote) or end of the page (for an endnote), then have an abbreviated source reference at the bottom of the page. The sources will then be fully referenced at the end of the paper, in the order of their footnote/endnote numbers. The reference page should be titled “Bibliography” if you used footnotes/endnotes or “References” if you used parenthetical author/date in-text citations.

Comparison Chart

Below is a chart comparing different formatting rules for APA, Chicago, and MLA styles.

How Should You Format Your Essay If Your Teacher Hasn’t Specified a Format?

What if your teacher hasn’t specified which essay format they want you to use? The easiest way to solve this problem is simply to ask your teacher which essay format they prefer. However, if you can’t get ahold of them or they don’t have a preference, we recommend following MLA format. It’s the most commonly-used essay style for students writing papers that aren’t based on their own research, and its formatting rules are general enough that a teacher of any subject shouldn’t have a problem with an MLA format essay. The fact that this style has one of the simplest sets of rules for citing sources is an added bonus!

What's Next?

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Compound sentences are an importance sentence type to know. Read our guide on compound sentences for everything you need to know about compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

Need ideas for a research paper topic? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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How to write the perfect design dissertation

Tutors and students from top design colleges share their advice.

Studying design is about crafting a great design portfolio that will wow potential employers, right? Well, yes. But don't discount the importance of astute creative thinking, and expressing yourself eloquently through the written word. In short, your design dissertation matters.

"I don't believe that design students should be focused entirely on portfolio work," argues Myrna MacLeod , programme leader for Graphic Design at Edinburgh Napier University. "They should also be able to demonstrate an interest in the contexts that underpin their work, and the histories and connections that have informed our practice."

• 5 top tips for graduate designers

"Think of a dissertation as an opportunity, not a burden," urges Craig Burston , Graphic and Media Design course leader at London College of Communication (LCC). "It gives us visually-minded people an opportunity to demonstrate that we too can construct arguments and distil complex notions." 

As Burston points out, this is not just an academic exercise: the power of persuasion is often key to success as a commercial designer. "Clients seek clarity, and project concepts or proposals need to be put into context," he says.

Read on to discover some top tips from leading tutors and their students for nailing your design dissertation…

01. Treat it like a design brief

"A great dissertation should be a designed artefact, and portfolio-worthy in its own right," says Burston. And like a design brief, it should be about solving a problem: "Make sure it has clearly stated aims, strong focus, and doesn't lack opinion or rhetoric," he adds.

• Best laptops for graphic design

"The value of a designed dissertation as a portfolio piece is that it's a holistic view of the individual," agrees Sarah James , senior lecturer in Visual Communication at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB). 

"It shows, type, editorial, research and aesthetic skill, as well as the personal interests and convictions of the individual."

James identifies AUB student Maarit Koobas , who investigated responsive type in both her dissertation and final project, as a particularly strong example of this. "Her design version was one of the most authentic, restrained and elegantly expressive I have ever received," she enthuses.

Koobas conducted a huge amount of initial research into both the contexts in which responsive type can be seen – such as advertising, product design, science and material cultures – and the theories behind its analysis, including semiotics, philosophy and politics. "Creating and analysing ideas, before they end up in your portfolio, is what design is all about," argues Koobas.

• 5 must-read books for design students

02. Write about your passion

"To develop essay questions, AUB students are asked to consider what they love, hate or are puzzled by in their practice – essentially, what moves them," says James. 

"A poor dissertation is inauthentically chosen for ease as opposed to interest," she adds. "It rambles and blusters, using complex language to mask insufficient research." 

"You can tell a mile off when the writer isn't interested," agrees Burston. "How can you expect the reader to care about it if you don't? Write about something that reflects your interests, focus and direction. I've read fascinating dissertations on topics as diverse as patterns in nature, and Brutalist car parks. Make me interested in what interests you."

For Edinburgh Napier graduate Fiona Winchester , this topic turned out to be typography in graphic novels. "I love reading them, but I think people still don't take them seriously as an art form, which is a shame," she says. For her dissertation, she conducted qualitative interviews using modified pages with and without imagery (shown above). 

Her advice is simple: "Narrow down your idea to be as precise as possible. The smaller your question, the easier it is to research and try to answer it."

If you're struggling to get the ball rolling on the actual writing process, Winchester advocates starting with whichever bit you have ideas for. "If you're stuck, it's so much easier to write in whatever order it comes to you, and then edit it into a dissertation, than to try write straight through from beginning to end," she insists.

03. Don't be afraid to talk to people

"I always think my students get the most out of the new streams of knowledge they find from talking to people," says McLeod. "It breaks down barriers and allows them to find answers to problems. Hopefully they will adopt that approach when designing for people also."

In some cases, this can involve interviewing your design heroes. "Students are very surprised when they send a question to Stefan Sagmeister , Milton Glaser or Michael Wolff and they reply with the most precious nugget of knowledge," smiles McLeod. 

But remember: it's your dissertation, so don't get lazy and expect your interview subject to do all the heavy lifting.

In other cases, it could be as simple as asking friends or family to help proofread. "It is quite daunting writing such a large body of text," admits Kaori Toh , a recent graduate from Central Saint Martins, whose dissertation explored the politics of design and technology.

"I often felt I'd get lost in all that text and research," she confesses. "Therefore, I would often send my drafts to a couple of friends to have them look through, and keep my writing cohesive."

04. Reflect on your design practice 

Most of all, dissertations are an opportunity to reflect on, and develop, your creative process as a designer. "Ultimately, it's your job to make your work relevant and credible, and the dissertation helps you learn how to do this," adds Burston. 

Of course, writing doesn't always come easily to visually minded people – and Burston highlights the fact that dyslexia is not uncommon amongst designers. 

"You're not on your own – in our profession, quite the opposite in fact – so do seek academic support, and just enjoy thinking and writing about 'stuff' that informs your practice," is his advice.

One of Burston's stand-out students from this year, Tom Baber , welcomed support from the university to help with his dyslexia. Baber's dissertation focused on type design, and particularly the extent to which the longwinded design process is worth the effort, compared to using an existing typeface.

"I saw it as an opportunity to approach other type designers and see what they thought. Turns out I'm not the first to ask the question," he smiles. "Writing my dissertation helped me change from a 'maker' mentality to a 'designer' mentality, and be more critical of my ideas."

Related articles:

• 15 things they didn't teach you at design school
• The skills every design graduate needs
• 5 alternative routes into design education

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A clear, arguable thesis will tell your readers where you are going to end up, but it can also help you figure out how to get them there. Put your thesis at the top of a blank page and then make a list of the points you will need to make to argue that thesis effectively.

For example, consider this example from the thesis handout : While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake”(54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well”(51) is less convincing.

To argue this thesis, the author needs to do the following:

• Show what is persuasive about Sandel’s claims about the problems with striving for perfection.
• Show what is not convincing about Sandel’s claim that we can clearly distinguish between medically necessary enhancements and other enhancements.

Once you have broken down your thesis into main claims, you can then think about what sub-claims you will need to make in order to support each of those main claims. That step might look like this:

• Evidence that Sandel provides to support this claim
• Discussion of why this evidence is convincing even in light of potential counterarguments
• Discussion of cases when medically necessary enhancement and non-medical enhancement cannot be easily distinguished
• Analysis of what those cases mean for Sandel’s argument
• Consideration of counterarguments (what Sandel might say in response to this section of your argument)

Each argument you will make in an essay will be different, but this strategy will often be a useful first step in figuring out the path of your argument.  

Strategy #2: Use subheadings, even if you remove them later  

Scientific papers generally include standard subheadings to delineate different sections of the paper, including “introduction,” “methods,” and “discussion.” Even when you are not required to use subheadings, it can be helpful to put them into an early draft to help you see what you’ve written and to begin to think about how your ideas fit together. You can do this by typing subheadings above the sections of your draft.

If you’re having trouble figuring out how your ideas fit together, try beginning with informal subheadings like these:

• Introduction  
• Explain the author’s main point  
• Show why this main point doesn’t hold up when we consider this other example  
• Explain the implications of what I’ve shown for our understanding of the author  
• Show how that changes our understanding of the topic

For longer papers, you may decide to include subheadings to guide your reader through your argument. In those cases, you would need to revise your informal subheadings to be more useful for your readers. For example, if you have initially written in something like “explain the author’s main point,” your final subheading might be something like “Sandel’s main argument” or “Sandel’s opposition to genetic enhancement.” In other cases, once you have the key pieces of your argument in place, you will be able to remove the subheadings.  

Strategy #3: Create a reverse outline from your draft  

While you may have learned to outline a paper before writing a draft, this step is often difficult because our ideas develop as we write. In some cases, it can be more helpful to write a draft in which you get all of your ideas out and then do a “reverse outline” of what you’ve already written. This doesn’t have to be formal; you can just make a list of the point in each paragraph of your draft and then ask these questions:

• Are those points in an order that makes sense to you?  
• Are there gaps in your argument?  
• Do the topic sentences of the paragraphs clearly state these main points?  
• Do you have more than one paragraph that focuses on the same point? If so, do you need both paragraphs?  
• Do you have some paragraphs that include too many points? If so, would it make more sense to split them up?  
• Do you make points near the end of the draft that would be more effective earlier in your paper?  
• Are there points missing from this draft?  
• picture_as_pdf Tips for Organizing Your Essay

Jarrett Fuller

An essay on design.

All the lights are off, save for the one on my desk. It casts a stark diagonal line separating the light and the dark across the keyboard where I type these words. I just put two ice cubes in a small glass and poured some Bulliet whiskey. I take a sip and sit down under the light.

There is a common phrase that goes writing about music is like dancing about architecture . I think Theloneous Monk said it. Or was it Elvis Costello? No one seems to really know for sure. Whoever it was, I think they meant that using one medium to discuss another medium never works—you can’t talk about one thing through another. The work must speak for itself. But it feels fitting to be writing this essay on design because I’ve started to see design and writing as the same thing—both of them are a way of forming ideas and giving ideas form. In fact, the Dutch word for designer is vormgever which translates literally to “form giver”.

I’m writing an essay on design but the more letters that appear before this blinking cursor, the more convinced I am that I don’t even know what design is anymore. I feel like it used to be easier to define. I remember when I was in high school and I discovered design and knew immediately that that is what I would do the rest of my life. I remember the first time I opened up Photoshop and the way my world changed after that. I remember my first college assignment—the first time I had to design something for a grade—and the feeling it gave me. I think back to these moments in search of clues, trying to find a definition for this thing called design .

The problem is the more I look for answers, the more questions arise. The more I try to narrow down a definition for design, the bigger it seems to get. I used to describe design by its parts—color, shape, form, typography—it was visual. Then I described it by the end result—a poster, a book, a website, a business card. You can define design both by its components and its finished product yet neither seem big enough to encapsulate everything design is.

It was in one of my first college classes that I heard that designers were problem solvers. I liked the sound of that—the idea that we find solutions for our clients’ needs—but it has somehow always felt to limiting and vague to me. Most professions involve problem solving. what makes that unique to designers? Designers like to use this definition to separate us from fine artists. We use it to say that we’re concerned with more than aesthetics but then we organize exhibitions of our work and pour over galleries and blogs displaying work completely removed from the context for which it was created. We try to have it both ways; we want to be a problem solver and an artist and end up being neither.

The melting ice is starting to water down the whiskey. I take another sip, feeling it move down my throat, and I realize I’ve been interested in design for almost a decade now. When I was just starting out—like many designers in my generation, I’d imagine—I wanted to make album covers. Some of my earliest work were covers and posters for my friends who were in bands. For a while, I wanted to art direct a magazine before realizing all the excitement was in websites. I had a brief interest in designing iPhone apps.

In school, I used my projects to explore things I was interested in. I designed a magazine about craftsmanship, made a logo for a fictitious Woody Allen museum, and after watching a documentary on factory farming, I made a series of posters on genetically modified foods. After I started listening to jazz, I designed a book about five jazz legends and deep into watching Lost , I made an annual report for the Dharma Initiative.

My interests and my “design style”—whatever that means—has changed a lot in those ten years and in looking back, I can better see that design was never the end. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that design has always been a way to explore my other interests—a vessel I can fill with whatever has my attention and help me better understand it. At the time, I thought the goal was to produce a book or a logo or an annual report but now, leaning back in my chair taking another sip of whiskey, I can see that those were just the byproducts—the result. Design wasn’t the end, it was simply the beginning. The design wasn’t found in its components or in the artifact but in the process—design became a form of inquiry .

If design is not the end, then design must be in the process, in the discovery. “The word building contains the double reality,” writes Stewart Brand in his book How Buildings Learn , “It means both the action of the verb build and that which is built —both verb and noun, both the action and the result...a building is always building and rebuilding.” The same is true of design—it can be both the the verb and the noun, the process and the result.

What, then, is a marker of good design? I start reflecting on process, on the verb design —instead of critiquing design on objects, products, or results, I am now forced to look at ways of thinking, approaches, and philosophies. I start looking through the books of my favorite designers and pour over the work that has shaped me and I find that good design reflexive—it provides an insight into its own creation, letting the viewer know how it was made. In writing about film, Rob Giampietro defined reflexivity as :

The degree to which the film is about its own making, to which it foregrounds its own construction, to which it deals with filmic qualities like nonlinear time, voyerism / observation, movement through space, montage, etc.

What does this look like for graphic design? How do we invite the viewer into our process and highlight its construction? Andrew Blauvelt, in his essay Towards a Critical Autonamy writes:

Graphic design, precisely because it is an instrumental form of communication, cannot divorce itself from the world. Rather graphic design must be seen as a discipline capable of generating meaning on its own terms without undue reliance on commissions, prescriptive social functions, or specific media or styles. Such actions should demonstrate self-awareness and self-reflexivity; a capacity to manipulate the system of design for ends other than those imposed on the field from without and to question those conventions formed from within.

He writes that design that is reflexive allows it to exist in the world while also challenging the notice of design itself. I’m reminded of the famous Roger Ebert quote, again using film as a definition for reflexivity: “A movie is not what it is about, it's how it is about it.” I think the same is true of design. Perhaps that means that regardless of the brief and the subject, design can be a way to explore the interests of the designer and in doing so, provide a look into its own making. Design as problem solving means that we follow a set of patterns and processes to find the one solution but a design that is reflexive sets out to discover those patterns and processes, creating multiple solutions.

By designing reflexively, the designer is not invisible; her point of view and her process are on display embedded within the work. In revealing its making, the designer invites the viewer into the process, revealing how we got there, and then, where it could go. Brian Eno said:

An important aspect of design is the degree to which the object involves you in its own completion. Some work invites you into itself by not offering a finished, glossy, one-reading-only surface. This is what makes old buildings interesting to me. I think that humans have a taste for things that not only show that they have been through a process of evolution, but which also show they are still a part of one. They are not dead yet.

Maybe that’s what I’m doing with this essay, too. I’m giving you an insight into its writing. Hello. Nice to see you. I pick up my glass for another sip.

Leonardo da Vinci supposedly said that “art is never finished, only abandoned.” I guess the same is true for design: a website is never finished, only launched. A poster is never finished, only printed. The process continues forever.

And maybe, then, an essay is never finished, only published. I don’t know if I’m done here. I take the last sip of my whiskey from my glass and I click the button on the screen in front of me that says POST.

Understanding Principles of Design and Art Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Each artist uses varying principles of design in their works, making every piece of art unique. Design refers to arranging the visual elements to generate the desired aesthetic depending on unity, rhythm, balance, or other principles (Fichner-Rathus, 2016). The Renaissance artist Raphael, the creator of The School of Athens , used varying principles in his composition to demonstrate differences between characters and their relation to a certain group.

The School of Athens represents various individuals, and principles of design help understand people’s contradictions. Raphael employed variety to exaggerate each person’s distinctions, contrast in Plato’s and Aristotle’s clothes to show their mindsets, and emphasis by putting the two philosophers in the center to divide their followers (Fichner-Rathus, 2016). Moreover, the artist utilized balance to depict characters’ distribution of weight, as they have different poses, with some standing, sitting, or poising on one leg (Fichner-Rathus, 2016). Finally, Raphael used unity to show the strategic placement of figures, reflecting that despite people’s disparities, they are united within one school (Fichner-Rathus, 2016). Notably, Raphael also appears to have employed a root five rectangle with the bottom of an image equally divided to place his self-portrait on the right half with a group of rationalists (Fichner-Rathus, 2016). The principles of design in the painting are interconnected and necessary to understanding the composition’s meaning.

To summarize, Raphael utilized such principles as unity, balance, variety, contrast, and emphasis in The School of Athens . As a result, the audience can begin by viewing the whole image and then start to analyze details, such as the division between Plato and Aristotle in the center or a person balancing on one foot. Together, the principles of design generate a complex piece of art.

Fichner-Rathus, L. (2016). Understanding art (11 th Ed.). Cengage Learning US.

• Raphael’s Preparatory Drawing
• The Painting “The School of Athens” by Raphael
• Raphael's vs. Parmigianino's Madonna Paintings
• Optical Illusion: Technique to Artist and Designer
• Aspects of Sustainable Design
• Design in Context: Ecology, Economics and Politics
• How Virtual Reality Is Changing the World of Interior Design
• Fashion Forecasting and Trends
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Frequently asked questions

What is an essay.

An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

Frequently asked questions: Writing an essay

For a stronger conclusion paragraph, avoid including:

• Important evidence or analysis that wasn’t mentioned in the main body
• Generic concluding phrases (e.g. “In conclusion…”)
• Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g. “There are good points on both sides of this issue.”)

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong, decisive impression of your work.

Your essay’s conclusion should contain:

• A rephrased version of your overall thesis
• A brief review of the key points you made in the main body
• An indication of why your argument matters

The conclusion may also reflect on the broader implications of your argument, showing how your ideas could applied to other contexts or debates.

The conclusion paragraph of an essay is usually shorter than the introduction . As a rule, it shouldn’t take up more than 10–15% of the text.

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

Let’s say you’re writing a five-paragraph  essay about the environmental impacts of dietary choices. Here are three examples of topic sentences you could use for each of the three body paragraphs :

• Research has shown that the meat industry has severe environmental impacts.
• However, many plant-based foods are also produced in environmentally damaging ways.
• It’s important to consider not only what type of diet we eat, but where our food comes from and how it is produced.

Each of these sentences expresses one main idea – by listing them in order, we can see the overall structure of the essay at a glance. Each paragraph will expand on the topic sentence with relevant detail, evidence, and arguments.

The topic sentence usually comes at the very start of the paragraph .

However, sometimes you might start with a transition sentence to summarize what was discussed in previous paragraphs, followed by the topic sentence that expresses the focus of the current paragraph.

Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument.

In an essay or paper , each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

In rhetorical analysis , a claim is something the author wants the audience to believe. A support is the evidence or appeal they use to convince the reader to believe the claim. A warrant is the (often implicit) assumption that links the support with the claim.

Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, building up logical arguments . Ethos appeals to the speaker’s status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them. Pathos appeals to the emotions, trying to make the audience feel angry or sympathetic, for example.

Collectively, these three appeals are sometimes called the rhetorical triangle . They are central to rhetorical analysis , though a piece of rhetoric might not necessarily use all of them.

The term “text” in a rhetorical analysis essay refers to whatever object you’re analyzing. It’s frequently a piece of writing or a speech, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, you could also treat an advertisement or political cartoon as a text.

The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to explain the effect a piece of writing or oratory has on its audience, how successful it is, and the devices and appeals it uses to achieve its goals.

Unlike a standard argumentative essay , it’s less about taking a position on the arguments presented, and more about exploring how they are constructed.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

If you’re not given a specific prompt for your descriptive essay , think about places and objects you know well, that you can think of interesting ways to describe, or that have strong personal significance for you.

The best kind of object for a descriptive essay is one specific enough that you can describe its particular features in detail—don’t choose something too vague or general.

If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

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Free Design Essay Examples

480 samples of this type

Design essays require you to analyze the design process and discuss the results. The design may be of anything: a dress, a building, a website, etc. Good design essays should include samples or examples of the design being discussed and an analysis of how effective the design is. Design essays should be well-researched and well-written to be successful.

There are many design essay examples available online which can help you understand what is required of you. When writing a design essay, remember to focus on the design elements that are most important to you and that you feel passionate about. This will help you produce an engaging and convincing piece of writing.

Graphic Design Essay

Any graphic design has seven basic elements: line, shape, color, texture, space, image, and type. A graphic design essay analyzes one of them concerning the other aspects of the artwork’s message. The paper can be dedicated to appreciation or criticism, depending on whether you like the work of art.

Interior Design Essay

This essay type can be dedicated to the benefits and drawbacks of the profession of an interior designer. You can also select and analyze an internal design solution to determine whether it is aesthetically pleasing. Finally, you may compare and contrast two interior design styles: mid-century, industrial, Scandinavian, bohemian, Baroque, etc.

Fashion Design Essay

Why would you like to become a fashion designer? What are the pitfalls on the way to a career in fashion design? How would you improve a given collection by a famous designer? These and other similar questions can be raised in your essay on fashion design.

Product Design Essay

These essays can explore the importance of product design on the overall success of the marketing campaign. Besides, case studies are the most popular format for a product design essay. Choose a product you like or dislike and describe why it became a success or failure story.

We hope that our explanation of the unique characteristics of design will assist you in writing an essay that receives an A+. The free examples of design essays below can also provide you with ideas for a stimulating writing session.

Fast Fashion and Its Impact on the Fashion Industry

Introduction Fast fashion is a term that is used to describe a new trend in the fashion industry that is characterized by high speed and low prices in order to provide customers with popular collections that reflect celebrity styles and catwalk presentations. Manufacturers are able to reduce costs by cutting...

Ergonomics’ and Aesthetics Design

Abstract The scientific discipline of product design has evolved significantly over the years. Technology, ergonomics, and aesthetics form the major components of product design. The set guidelines for creating products advocate for the use of design for ergonomics and aesthetics. Data qualifiers for ergonomics and aesthetics enable product designers to...

Target Audience of Fast Food Restaurants’ Web Sites

Introduction When designing a website, its creator focuses on the needs of all visitors or some specific, defined audience. The target audience is those users on which the web resource is specifically oriented. These visitors are commonly called target visitors, as they are aware of what they eventually want to...

The Profession of an Architect

Introduction As far as architectural education provides a large amount of knowledge and skills, an architect can design various objects, from apartment buildings and cottages to hotels, schools, and urban spaces. The architects, along with other representatives of creative professions, create timeless works of art. Their responsibilities include creating the...

Building Materials Overview and Analysis

Introduction Building materials can be defined in relation to their use in construction activities. This means that it is a material that is used to enhance construction. It should be known that there are various forms of building materials that can be termed as natural occurring substances. This therefore implies...

Influence of Mathematics in Ancient Greek Architecture

Introduction Ancient Greek architecture is one of the most iconic in the world, utilizing many elements that are used in the modern day. At the same time, Greek scholars were also some of the most advanced; building on the foundations of Egyptians and Persians, the Greeks made significant advances in...

The Types of Clothing Style in Modern Society

Introduction Details are very important, especially when it concerns the clothing style of the particular person. The human character can be easily explained by observation and analysis of what one wears. Such characteristics as color and shape are important, however, the overall image must be evaluated holistically. Clothing style can...

Hamlet’s Costume Design

Scenic design is a vital element in every play. The design portrays the style and the mood of the production used in the play. It also enables the audience to draw a clear distinction between a nonrealistic and a realistic theater. One important element of scene design is design of...

Romanesque vs Gothic Styles Comparison

Gothic vs Romanesque Architecture: Introduction Throughout the ages, architectural designs have progressed gradually in different regions. Architectural designs incorporated art to develop what we see today in the world’s cities and towns. Buildings are curved with unique and incredible styles and profiles. Most of the buildings in big cities possess...

The Role of Architecture in the Society

Introduction Architecture is the outcome that results from the combination of art and science through planning, design and construction (Booth, 2011). Architecture has been used for years to represent the art and culture of all the civilizations that have been present in the world. Through architecture, societies have been able...

• Architecture
• Web Technology
• Construction

The Parthenon Influences on the United States Capitol

Greek architecture served as an inspiration for many architectural styles and modern iconic landmarks. It can be argued that many well-known buildings, including the United States Capitol and other politically significant constructions, are reminiscent of the renowned monuments of Ancient Greece. Specifically, the U.S. Capitol was influenced by the Athenian...

Principles of Curriculum Design

Introduction A curriculum can be taken as a generalized attempt to transfer the important features of an educational system’s goals and objectives in a precise format that can be translated for practical execution. An effective curriculum design gives room for professional criticism aimed at improving on its content and relating...

Fashion Design as a Major

Fashion design has long become global and spans across a multitude of industries, including clothing, modeling, retailing, and advertising. Clothes have functions besides covering the basic needs of human beings today. They serve as a way to express oneself, and sometimes they may be used as a communication channel. Graphic...

The Balenciaga Case: Scandal in the Fashion Industry

Introduction In recent months, one of the most high-profile scandals in the fashion industry has been the Balenciaga case. This company, which specializes in the production of clothing and accessories, faced public criticism for one of its advertising campaigns. Various photo shoots were launched on Instagram and other media platforms...

Wood as a Construction Material: History, Properties, Use

Introduction For as long as mankind has been civilized, wood has remained an important material for the construction of housing and boats. Up until the close of the nineteenth century, virtually all the boats were constructed using wood (Hoadley, 1980). Today, wood is still a common material in the building...

The Future of Fashion Industry

Emerging Trends in the Fashion Industry The fashion industry is constantly undergoing changes over the course of time. While fashion is known to be cyclical, new ideas and trends emerge, keeping it future-oriented. Innovation has been an integral part of the apparel industry since the very beginning, and the ongoing...

History of Rock Gardens Review

Background Landscape history can be defined as the study of the ways in which mankind has tried to change the physical appearance of the environment. It is also referred to as landscape archaeology. The discipline was first discovered as a distinctive area of study in the 20th century and has...

Mathematics in Ancient Greek Architecture

The emergence of the mathematical sciences was a breakthrough discovery for all of human civilization. Laws, orders, equations, and identities gradually took on a material meaning as man learned to transfer numbers and letters from papyrus to life. Ancient Greek architecture was not the least area that underwent significant metamorphosis...

Comparison and Contrast of Two Famous Architects

Introduction The United States has given the world various famous and talented architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry. Wright was born a few years after the Civil War in the United States in 1867 (Wilkinson 39). Wright’s approach to architecture includes the strong influence of nature, as he...

Menswear: History and Tendencies

For a long time, fashion and dressing modes have changed from periodically. Clothes have long been used as a means of classifying individuals. Even in the modern-day, some individuals still utilize pricey brand-name apparel as a way to stand out from the crowd. Dressing modes separate different genders, classes, professions,...

• Western Civilization

Concrete Block: Load Bearing and Partition Walls

Concrete Bricks Concrete Bricks are manufactured under the BSI Kitemark Licensee with specification to BS 6073. The Specification and Workmanship of Concrete Bricks are based on: Location Reference: Depends on where the Brick is intended to use. For eg: Earthquake resistant building, Moisture resistant Building or Weather Proof Buildings. Work...

Graphic Design and Its Importance in Human Life

Introduction The modern world has embraced the concept of design to such an extent that people can no longer imagine their surroundings without it. Design has penetrated into virtually all spheres of human activity. This fully applies to such a kind of design art as graphic design. With its manifestations...

Coffee Shop: The Exterior, Interior Design, and Customer Service

In my opinion, coffee is significantly more than just a drink. I consider coffee a cultural attribute, a part of lifestyle, and a source of inspiration. The atmosphere of a coffee shop makes people more creative through a combination of an informal environment and visual variety.1 The magic of coffee...

Sustainable Fashion Survey

Survey Questions Do you know about the impact of the fashion industry on the environment? Have you considered using a vintage style? Do you consider material eco-safety as an essential factor when purchasing your clothes? Do you throw your old clothes away or try to repurpose them? Have you ever...

Fashion and Technology: Modern Fashion

The consolidation of fashion and technology is becoming one of the most modern trends in the creative industry that need detailed research and identification of prospects. The issue is of particular interest in the context of its novelty and little study. Even though the combination of digital practicality and the...

Natural and Synthetic Fibres and Their Properties

Natural Fibres Introduction Different fibres have a number of differentiating characteristics, in terms of their properties, which are sometimes similar to each other (Cook 1984). For the purpose of quality development in textiles and fibres, there is a need to study and analyze these properties, as well as comparing them....

“Architecture and the Senses” by Juhani Pallasmaa

Introduction The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses book by Juhani Pallasmaa explores the fundamentals of a classical architectural theory. The book is composed of two essays that focus on the historical development of western architecture and other authentic architectural experiences, respectively. Analysis This work aims at inspiring...

Architectural History Studies and Their Importance

Studying architectural history is of utmost significance to students aspiring to become architects. Architectural history denotes the study of architecture as it changed through various cultures and landscapes and across multiple decades. Such knowledge goes a long way in helping students understand and appreciate the craft and comprehend the milestones...

The Role of Technology in Architecture

Introduction Technology has become of the fundamental vital aspects in the modern world since it has affected many social, economic and political undertakings. In this regard, it has become a pertinent component of the architectural profession. In the past, architecture was limited to physical conceptualization and actualization of ideas to...

The Venetian Macao Analysis

Property Overview The Venetian Macao is one of the world’s most luxurious and the largest hotels and casinos. Located in Macao, China, the building was erected on reclaimed land. The 10,500,000 square-foot building is currently the seventh-largest building globally and the largest hotel building in continental Asia (Hao et al.,...

• Ancient Civilizations
• Ancient Greece
• Ancient History

Rem Koolhaas “Junkspace” Review

Rem Koolhaas explores different theories of architecture whereby he manages to intertwine history and its relevance to modern day architectural activities. He relates human debris to the concept of space-junk. There is a lot of human remains which have spoilt the universe as he narrates “If space-junk is the human...

Exploring Popular Culture in Architecture

Introduction Popular culture which is also referred to as pop culture is one of the common components in the society that can be defined as an element of culture and even identity of a nation or locality. It is a complex combination of the different elements wherein the society is...

Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier

Introduction Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier contributed to the growth of architecture in America. Despite their differences in art styles, the architects significantly contributed to the buildings erected in America in the 1900s. The essay illustrates the two architects’ perceptions of architecture and gives an example of buildings created...

Bedroom Design and Special Characteristics

My bedroom provides a close view of the sea. Situated on the first floor, it is a large, glass panelled room and its balcony faces the seashore. The room is a vantage point to observe the sea and listen to its music. My aesthetic sense reflects in the manner in...

Ergonomics Design Criteria of The Lotus Temple

Human factors or ergonomics play a vital role in building designs and are delineated according to accessibility, function, and aesthetics. Integrating human factors into an architectural design aims to increase the quality of life by improving the structure’s safety, comfort, and performance. The Lotus Temple, located in New Delhi, India,...

The Role of High-Rise Buildings in Countries Progression

Introduction The current generations are living in a contemporary world that is characterized by sustainable development as the main foundation for decisions regarding urban planning in many countries. The pressure arising from the surging populations among other problems that are related to transport and housing facilities are some of the...

Facades of Buildings During the Mamluk Period

Introduction ‘Mamluk’ is an Arabic word for slave and refers to soldiers who were captured from non Muslim origins, converted to Islam, and trained to fight for their captors. Mongol or Turkic is believed to be the Mamluk sultan’s foundation. While there, they acted as guards on behalf of Ayyubid...

Indian History of Architecture

The architecture of any country is evolving throughout centuries due to changing trends that are taking place. Indian architecture had several major periods of transformation and change. It is necessary to note that Indian civilization is one of the most ancient in the world and the earliest examples of architecture...

Sustainable Architecture: Benefits and Drawbacks

Abstract Research studies show that when using green architecture, the ecosystem flourishes by providing clean water, air, a healthy living environment, better living standards and the adversarial effects of environmental pollutants that result from the use of traditional building technologies are reduced. Green architecture is achieved by use of recyclable...

Paris as the Fashion Centre

Introduction The city of Paris was constructed as a centre for fashion. According to Hopkins (2012), some of the best fashions that are in use in the modern society are believed to have originated from Paris, France. For a long time, the global society viewed this city as the epitome...

• Infrastructure
• Environment

Sustainable Homes: The Key Features

Introduction Human activity is accompanied by the emission of Carbon dioxide and an increase in the greenhouse effect, which worsens the situation with global warming. It ruins the balance of natural resources and threatens people and the environment. Sustainable homes are one of the possible solutions that can help solve...

How Technology Has Changed the Home Improvement Industry

Modern technologies change the world, influencing and improving the life of each human: one of such vectors of improvement are home building and maintenance. It is an important area, as homes are crucial for people’s lives, and making them more durable, clean, safe, and warm increases the life quality drastically....

Comparing the Pyramid of Menkaure and Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

The Pyramid of Menkaure and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut are two significant buildings from ancient Egyptian heritage. The Pyramid of Menkaure is located on the Giza Plateau and was built during the Old Kingdom period around 2500 BC. Ordered by the Egyptian pharaoh Menkaure, the pyramid was assumed to...

Gothic Architecture in Comparison to Other Styles

Introduction Gothic is a style of art and architecture that emerged towards the end of the High Middle Ages and became famous throughout Europe. The style had a substantial effect on the development of architecture in the region and was most often used in religious buildings, such as churches and...

Bauhaus and Modernism as Art and Design Movements

Bauhaus was a school of art in Germany that was started in 1919 by architect Walter Gropius to address some of the challenges being faced in design. During this time, traditional building techniques relying heavily on materials such as wood, stone, and bricks were being by novel construction approaches using...

How the Internet Transformed Design Fashion

Digital sketches help add changes to the existing work without starting drawing from the beginning. By using the Internet, people can shop online and avoid overcrowded shopping malls. It saves time, and people do not get tired while looking for a specific product. The Internet use allows people who love...

Concrete as a Construction Material

The development of humanity is associated with permanently growing volumes of construction. People require residential and business buildings, and concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials on Earth. Gambhir (2004) argues that concrete is the second most popular substance in the world after water (p. 1). Therefore,...

Beauty Virtues of Mosques

Introduction “Architecture is the imaginative blend of art and science in the design of environments for people.” (An Introduction to Architecture). The area of architecture has brought about tremendous betterment due to the unity of sculpture and skills. An architect has to be keen on accomplishing the maximum beauty and...

Whispering Galleries in Architecture

Whispering galleries are specially designed buildings that are elliptical or have a circular shape. Such buildings make it possible for a whisper to be carried from one part of the room to another. This is possible because the building is normally elliptical, enclosed, or circular. Thus, if a person stands...

Colosseum: Creation, Purpose, and Historical Significance

Introduction The Colosseum is one of the most recognizable architectural miracles in the world. It is located in the center of Rome, Italy, and represents the largest ancient amphitheater that survived. The site for its building was carefully chosen in a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline, and Palatine Hills...

• Relationship
• Advertising

Le Corbusier and Luis Barragan: Colours’ Choices

Thesis The peculiar feature of many of Le Corbusier’s works is an unusual choice of colors: he explains such attention to colors as the last attempt to correct all those errors and shortages of proportions, which could spoil the work, to underline the uniqueness of the buildings, and to accentuate...

Fundamentals of Building Construction

Introduction Foundations are the basis for any construction object, and it is essential for any project to determine the most fitting type of foundation. Basically, all foundations are subdivided into shallow and deep ones in respect of the depth of their placement into the ground (Das, 2009, p. 1). Although...

Craft: Definition and the Most Important Manual Crafts

Introduction A craft is an occupation that requires specific skills based on an individual’s creativity and interest. The word crafts depict the group of creative activities within the domain of ornamental arts, which are expressed by their link to useful or handy items such as statues in the vessel custom...

The 1920s Fashion: Historical Overview

Introduction Fashion has long been accepted as either a form of expression or establishment of social status. People wear clothes in order to belong to a class as it was earlier indicated that those who are moneyed have the means to pay for stylists or designers for newer looks. This...

Personnel Requirements in Facilities Design

In the modern world, human needs and demands determine the creation of new objects. Facilities design as a type of activity is used in all areas of life, such as construction, business, manufacture of clothing, and others. To create useful and high-quality products in enterprises, a large number of specialists...

Architecture and Spatial Relations in the Zulu Culture

Space plays quite an important role in architecture, contributing to the expression of not only form but also function. Through the prism of architecture, the notion of space is perceived as a combination of exterior and interior elements.1 When arranged in a particular way, the identified components of the spatial...

Sustainable Mobility Focus on Cycling

Abstract Sustainable mobility is an important focus for many cities around the world as they look to reduce congestion and pollution. One area that is often overlooked in sustainable mobility planning is cycling. Cycling is a sustainable, low-cost form of transportation that has many benefits for both individuals and society...

Form vs Function in Architecture

Introduction Architectural techniques are the forms and nature of the planning of objects, and the types of space planning solutions, executed by the architect and perceived by the viewer. Architecture is based on a symbolic understanding of space, which means that it refers to the symbolic sense of the structure,...

T-Shirt Design and Customization

Creating something with your own hands is a unique experience connecting the imagination and reality. Hand-painted clothes are an excellent way to make things stylish and distinctive. Each painting is unique, representing the style and character of the creator. In the modern fashion world, the mass market produces stuff in...

Computer Technologies in Fashion Industry

Introduction Fashion is an expression in appearance that is popularly done at a specific period with a specific context. Fashion is about clothing, makeup, structure, and hairstyle as well as body proportion. Fashion is a distinctive expression, which is supported by traditions and is recognized and supported as an industry....

• Cosmetology
• Real Estate

Fashion Sustainability for High-End and Low-Cost Brands

Introduction In recent years, the concept of sustainability became highly essential in the sphere of manufacturing all over the world. In particular, fashion companies demonstrate a growing interest in their products’ environmentally and ethically appropriate manufacturing, distribution, and consumption. However, according to many consumers, the option of sustainability in the...

Land Use, Zoning and Planning

Introduction Land is one of the vital natural resources on earth. It forms the basis on which all other human activities are done. Human beings use land for various activities including farming, establishment of buildings and infrastructure. Therefore, land is a necessity if any other activity needs to be done...

Islamic Art: The Dome of the Rock

Introduction The Dome of the Rock is a key landmark that also serves as an Islamic shrine. This landmark is located in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, an ancient platform often referred as “The Noble Sanctuary” by Muslims. This landmark that took 3 years to complete (from 1688 to 1691)...

Clothing Styles and Developments in Clothing Creation

Industrialization was a watershed moment in the garment business since it enabled the manufacturing of handmade apparel as well as the fabrication of varied designs from various textiles. Furthermore, a shift in the renaissance, both in culture and art, marked the beginning of the production of various clothing patterns (Vehmas...

Britam Tower – the Skyscraper Center in Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction Architects and engineers across the globe strive to deliver projects that are sustainable, cheaper, and capable of meeting the demands of the clients. The professionals involved throughout the process should make timely decisions, engage all key partners, and use locally available materials. Every finished building or infrastructure offer powerful...

Spatial and Revelatory Functions of the Guggenheim Museum

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City is uncharacteristic for the architectural landscape of the 5th Avenue, to say the least. Surrounded by strictly organized box-like buildings, the fluid form of the museum contrasts with them sharply. Its horizontal levels are not simply superimposed upon each...

Marie Antoinette’s Influence on Fashion

Introduction When discussing fashion, the name, Marie Antoinette is mentioned frequently. The contribution of this former France queen is so significant to fashion that some fashions are associated with her. There are clothes that are named after Antoinette and that draw memories of her influence not only to fashion and...

“La Sagrada Familia” by Antonio Gaudi: Philosophy of Art

Introduction The world of art has attracted many philosophers and theorists’ opinions on the subject of their attractiveness to our cognition. In this 21st century that is marked by technological advancement, art theories and philosophies continue to judge artifacts. So when efforts are made to evaluate a piece of art,...

What is Beauty: Discussion

Is there a clear definition of beauty? Are there standards that define the limits of beauty? Are there entities that can be taken to be universal beauties? These are among the questions to be asked when trying to elucidate what beauty is. Trying to answer these questions will always give...

Louvre and Abu Dhabi Museums’ Design Innovation

Introduction By design and structure, most museums are architecturally fascinating. For instance, the world-famous art museums, such as the Louvre and the Guggenheim are also architecturally important in Abu Dhabi. These structures were designed and intended for design lovers. There are marginally odd museums globally, however, that may not have...

• Performance
• Roman Empire
• Communication
• Inspiration

Living Tebogo: Home for Handicapped Children

Creating living spaces in places that are characterized by rather specific conditions is a complex task that requires a well-thought out approach. The town of Johannesburg in South Africa is a prime example of such specialized areas – there is, for example, an issue of weather conditions and temperature of...

Architect Le Corbusier and His “Ville Radieuse”

Representing the modern architecture movement as its pioneer, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, also known under his alias, Le Corbusier, created the buildings that incorporated not only functionality but also a unique and inimitable style, therefore, shaping people’s perceptions of expressivity in architecture. Although his “Radiant City” project represented an original and interesting...

Pangaia: An Eco-Friendly Fashion Brand

Pangaea is an ethical fashion brand that employs the latest advancement in the textile industry to diminish the adverse impact on the environment. Given that fashion is one of the most polluting industries globally, the trend for more sustainable apparel production has spread considerably, and brands like Pangaia emerged (Woodside...

Mesopotamian and Greek Architecture Design

Introduction The features of the ancient Mesopotamian and Greek architectures are a unique topic for discussion. These civilizations used different methods of building construction and various materials. The purposes of buildings were also distinctive, although the religious background was one of the fundamental ones. The analysis of the two types...

Wikipedia Website’s Structure and Features

Abstract Wikipedia is currently the largest collaborative source of knowledge about different things and subjects. This paper provides a brief review of Wikipedia’s structure and purpose, its overall “look and feels”, its target audience, and the most useful technical and information features. The value and implications of Wikipedia for information...

Socio-Cultural Aspects of Chinese Architecture

Introduction The importance of ancient architecture cannot be neglected or misunderstood because it tells a lot about people, their history, and the choices made and approved during the centuries. China is the nation with a long 4,000-year-old documented history with a number of ancient architectural activities (Fu, 2014). During these...

Modernism in Architecture: Mies van der Rohe

Abstract There can be no possible doubt that the era of modernism has played an incredibly important role in the development of the further Postmodernist tendencies and was a completely new stage and a unique experience in the world history. The importance of the Modernism as an epoch was huge,...

The Impact of Fashion Marketing on Middle Eastern Culture

Abstract This essay covers the fashion industry in the Middle East. The influence of Western culture, social media and liberal ethical constructs on the fashion and culture of modern Saudi Arabia is explained. Strategies for finding a compromise with a strong Islamic culture are described, as well as recent attempts...

Qanat Quartier: Architecture, Infrastructure, and Environment

Quality of Architecture and Infrastructure Overall, Qanat Quartier has a large number of positive aspects, connected with eco- and pedestrian friendliness and colorful architectural designs, although some negative aspects still can be noted. First of all, it is important to mark that mentioned quarter was designed using the city of...

The Great Pyramid of Giza: Cultural Artifact

Culture is one of the means that shape peoples’ outlook. Many places in the world are defined intricately by cultural habits that make them stand out to everyone. An excellent example of such essential cultural artifacts is the Great Pyramid at Giza. The pyramid is the greatest, oldest, and most...

• Soviet Union
• Social Media
• Spirituality

The Influence of Euphoria on Fashion

Euphoria, starring Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, and others as teenage teens juggling love, family, addictions, and personalities, has released the second season. The show’s costumes present a mix of older items with nostalgic undertones and more modern outfits, such as skinny jeans and knitted blouses with quilling...

Dubai Spatial Planning. Population and Urban Growth

Introduction Spatial planning of Dubai involves the public sector function that influences the distribution of activities in the city. The town’s concept consists of creating a more rational organization of the urban center to ensure effective land use and the linkage between them. Spatial planning is essential for Dubai as...

Design of Workplace Suitable for the Disabled

Introduction In the recent past, a new generation of the workplace has emerged, with new social consequences. In this era of e-commerce, organizations have to re-examine and re-organize what design the office or workplace should take. For example, if the handling of information is carried out more appropriately with a...

John Galliano, a Fashion Designer

Introduction Fashion design is the practical art concerned with clothing and daily life accessories created in the cultural and societal influences of a certain period. This art is presumed to have a built in likeliness of one or two seasons according to various cultures. Fashion designs are created by fashion...

Ionic Order Column From the Temple of Artemis

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (n.d.) presents multiple examples of the architecture of Ancient Greece, including the marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis. The column is a representative of the Ionic order, which was developed by Ancient Greece and is still employed in modern architecture. As a...

Semiotics Theory and Signs in Designs

Introduction Semiotic is a theory that explains the application and results of signs and symbols in both artificial and natural language structures1. It tries to explain the origin of meaning rather than what the word or phrase means. The theory of semiotics assumes that the thing human beings suppose to...

The PayPal Website’s Compliance With Standards

Introduction Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is becoming increasingly important in today’s world as more and more people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences use applications in their daily lives. This is especially true for mobile payment services, for which a direct correlation between high-quality HCI and trust levels has been proven...

Hagia Sophia: History, Significance, Style

Religion plays a critical role in people’s lives and can serve as the source of inspiration to create unique masterpieces. Numerous statues, paintings, and buildings emerged due to different religions and people’s attempts to create notable and visible signs of their faith. Thus, Christianity is one of the most popular...

The History of Egyptian Architecture

Introduction The history of architecture has evolved in many diverse settings and civilizations throughout the centuries. Architectural history is a worldwide history reverting to ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greek cultures, and more. According to Mahdi, “the spread of western architectural styles has become imperative for us to search for the identity...

Sustainable Architecture Design: Strategies, Techniques, and Buildings

Sustainability refers to the ability to inflict little damage to the environment. Sustainability in architecture implies the use of design strategies that decrease negative consequences for the environment (“Sustainable” par. 4). Architects use safe materials and water management systems during construction. Spending on sustainable design can benefit air and soil...

• Acquisition

Building an Airport Project

Airport Design process The first process to avoid any hiccups in the project would be to set down the design phase of the airport, its building facilities, its runway or runways, and the taxiway. Careful planning in the design phase must be in line with a modernized airport structure to...

Roman Architecture: Civic Architecture and Arch Invention

How the invention of the arch contributed to Roman dominance in the region The invention of the round arch contributed to Roman dominance in the region due to this structure’s suitability to the task of building premises for significant numbers of people. In the vault construction, it allowed enclosing large...

Sound and Space in Urban Settings

Project Description While Crossing a London Square, there are a number of views that you can experience. A London square-park has been chosen in order to experiment the experience of vision while you are passing through it.The square which has been chosen is surrounded by a number of features. These...

Why Do We Need Brands?

Each brand has specific attributes, functional or emotional associations assigned to it by customers. Brand identity is a kind of long-term promise to consumers. Out of two similar products on a shelf, a person is more likely to choose the one that is well-known and correctly positioned (Hameide, 2011). It...

Evaluating a Website

Looking at website, it is easy to note that it is a fake site. It mimics the appearance of the actual newspaper’s site – for example, it uses its distinctive logo (“New York Times”). It may even hold up to fact-checking since some it borrows the news titles from the...

Art and Design: Graphic Design

Graphic design is an artistic field which, in most cases, involves a designer and a client coming to a mutual agreement over some form of work. This work is usually completed with procedures from programmers, sign makers and printers who are geared toward conveying a given message to the specified...

Graphic Design of the 1950’s

The 50’s – the time of bloom The 50s was the period of bloom, the period of modernization and development of the everyday techniques. The 50s was the time of material well-being for many Americans, that meant people had more money to spend. The end of World War II brought...

Anti-Fashion as Trends of the 1970s

Vintage Fashion Fashion can be regarded as a set of trends that come and go, make comebacks and vanish. The changeable nature of fashion is closely related to an ever-changing society (Milford-Cottam 2018). Fashion can be a reflection of ideas, concepts, and trends that emerge in human society in general...

Graphic Design in Postmodern Art

Introduction Starting from the 1970-s, Postmodernism dominated over various spheres of culture. It was spreading around the world through newspapers, television, and magazines. The traditions and norms of the society were revised, some of them completely pushed away. This was the time of common skepticism toward modern values. Among the...

When Modernism in Built Environments Began

Introduction The roots of modern architecture have long been disputed in academic and professional circles due to the ambiguity of the precise definition of the concept. On the one hand, experts claim that modernist architectural features started to evolve as a theory in the nineteenth century. On the other hand,...

• John F. Kennedy
• Customer Service

The Criteria of Ann Thorpe’s Design Activism

Nowadays, designers have a considerable advantage in the field of sociology. They can illustrate and convey critical social problems faced by society (Girard et al., 2022). There are particular criteria that designers must follow to correctly and ethically convey a message to society through their products. In general, this movement...

Cross-Body Men’s Bag: Trend Analysis

Introduction The market is a volatile environment characterized by the emergence, fast evolution and disappearance of various trends affecting the work of various companies. The increased demand for specific products is explained by their ability to satisfy specific groups of clients and fill their needs for a particular product. The...

Water Management in Sustainable Engineering

Introduction At present, sustainability has become one of the central objectives of national development, and many organizations adjust their operational processes according to sustainability goals. The research transparently reflects the negative impact of manufacturing on global ecology and reveals the necessity of innovative and green approaches to business (Penn &...

Construction and Operation of the London Eye

Summary The chosen case study for the current assignment is the construction of the London Eye – one of Europe’s most prominent sightseeing attractions. Nevertheless, the construction of the Millennium Wheel was significantly complicated by unexpected external factors, and the opening date was slightly postponed. The commotion occurred due to...

Design and Aesthetics of Architectural Styles

Introduction Architecture is more of a civic art than a fine art. An architect derives fame and pleasure from the satisfaction of people who appreciate architecture as a fine art. More importantly, the recognition of architecture as a civic art bestows respect and admiration to the profession while binding together...

A Gift for Antoni Gaudi Analysis

Introduction Antoni Gaudi was a genius architect whose name became one of the biggest trademarks for Barcelona and Spain in general. Despite his rather complicated childhood, Gaudi represented the change that Barcelona needed to stand out finally among other European gems. Gaudi’s attitude became the main reason why he was...

Sydney Opera House in the Geographical Context

Australia is known for its unusual nature and wildlife, yet one of its most recognizable cultural symbols is the Sydney Opera House. The structure was opened in 1973 and serves as one of the main tourist destinations attracting millions of visitors each year (The Sydney Opera House, 2019). It is...

Jane Jacobs: Her Contribution to the Development of Planning

Jane Jacobs is a renowned American born Canadian writer whose contribution in urban planning cannot be ignored by any stakeholder of urban related studies. Her approach to urban planning was in sharp contrast with most urban planners, a fact that made her be on a coalition path with most of...

Energy Consumption in Architecture and Environmental Design

Energy consumption can be seen as one of the problems related to architecture and environmental design. In that regard, a confirmation of the aforementioned statement can be seen in that “about 50% of all energy consumption in Europe and 60% in the US is building related” (Holm, 2006, p. 247)....

The Practice of Church Building

From its inception, a critical component of Christianity has been the congregation of people to worship together. The practice of worshipping together as a crowd has been a guiding principle for Christians, from the time of Jesus to date. Originally, Christians used to gather in synagogues or in other people’s...

• Social Responsibility
• Business Strategy

Harry Seidler and His Works

For several decades the name of Harry Seidler (1923-2006) stands to denote “progressive” architecture in Australia. The name was the first Australian name known to the world-wide architectural community. Other architects of great distinction have joined him, but the work and reputation of this Australian architect is really unfading, they...

Project for the Construction of a New Cottage Town

Introduction The project is devoted to the building of the new cottage town in the country and is aimed at the satisfaction of citizens’ needs and providing them with a new wonderful way of life. The proposal purpose of the project is to highlight the main aspects of it and...

The Unique Fashion Style: Changing Standards and Ideals

Sell Each woman tries to find her unique style in the world of fashion. Still, having completed a difficult journey in order to find the exclusive style, many women choose to follow well-known standards and images, such as ‘Femme Fatale’, ‘Ingenue’, ‘Siren’, or ‘Girl Next Door’. Moreover, they see such...

Sustainable Solutions for the Bank of America Tower

Introduction The Bank of America tower, also called One Bryant Park, is one of the most efficient and ecological buildings designed by architects Cook and Frank. This magnificent building was opened in 2009 and is one of the buildings that have embraced the green economy movement. The building cost about...

Beauty, Skincare, and Cosmetics Challenges

This study will be based on an analysis of four indicators, including place, promotion, product, and price. The first among my competitor brands is Queen Tarzi from the Netherlands. The fundamental difference of this company is that this cosmetics company creates completely vegan products. Given people’s desire for an ethical...

Gestalt Theory and Its Application in Design

The Gestalt theory states that the human brain tends to unconsciously organize separate elements, as well as to simplify complex pictures for better perception. There are several Gestalt principles that are widely applied in design. Figure 1 illustrates the figure-groud principle, which describes how the brain perceives images in the...

Graphic Design Used for Advertising Purposes

Abstract Graphic design is one of the fast-evolving spheres focused on creating visual content for various purposes. In the modern business world, it can be viewed as a potent tool to interact with the audience and convey specific messages. The given paper is devoted to analyzing how graphic design is...

“Learning from Las Vegas” by Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour Review

Introduction In a book titled Learning from Las Vegas published in 1972, Venturi et al cited two categories in their evaluation of their Las Vegas strip and these categories were in description of structures in relation to the people observing them while passing in an automobile. The authors explored techniques...

Design and Modern Technologies

Abstract This paper explores the different ways through which computers are applicable in the technology age that we are living in today. It brings out the importance of computers in art and its application in the modern world. The relevance of this paper is to show the reader that without...

Planning a Kitchen: Remodeling Project

When planning to start a project it is very important to understand the order of the things you want to do. Choosing the color, the material, the texture, the make, the design, the quality must be orderly. It is not wise to buy beautiful rims and then shop for a...

• Collaboration
• Sociological Perspectives
• Functionalism
• Recruitment

Architectural Design in UK Hotel Industry

The UK’s Design Council mission is to motivate and facilitate the best use of design to make the UK a more competitive, creative and sustainable nation. It aspires to build the nation’s capacity to innovate and bring world class brands, products and services by supporting the use of design in...

Rem Koolhaas and Junk Space

The term junk-space is increasingly being used in the modern architectural world especially after Rem Koolhaas won the Pritkter prize. What is junk space and what is its implication in the modern architecture? The term Junk space refers to the residue materials that human beings leave on the earth. According...

The New RIBA “Charted Practice” Scheme

RIBA is an organization that strictly controls the quality of the service of architecture bodies in the UK. Membership in RIBA guarantees the trust and respect of customers. Apart from this the Royal organization provides a wide technical support of its members. Thus, participation in the “Chartered Practice” scheme looks...

Bleacher Report and ESPN: Comparing and Contrasting

Introduction Websites tend to implement different types of graphic styles based on their functionality and purpose. Proper design catches the viewer’s eye, puts emphasis on the most vital parts, as well as makes searching and reading information simple, fast, and comfortable. However, there are numerous mistakes that website creators make...

The CN Tower Is the World Cultural Heritage Site

Introduction Among the world’s architectural structures, Toronto’s CN Tower occupies a significant place as one of the unique objects with a distinctive form. Its role, both in the culture of Canada and globally, is explained by an extraordinary approach to construction and a non-standard design. The CN Tower is the...

Green Architecture: Principles, Advantages and Stages

Introduction The work of factories, the process of building, and any human activity in general lead to severe damages caused to the functioning of the planet Earth. Climate change, air and ground pollution can change the lives of future generations. Green architecture is a developing trend that can bring a...

The Analytical Framework Design

Introduction The debate of achievement by race among Americans is still a divisive issue of concern, just as it was in the 1960s. Some people think that low personal achievement among some American communities is essentially a product of long standing historical injustices. On the other hand, some people have...

Fashion in the Clothes Industry

Introduction Fashion refers to the dynamic trends in the preference of the use of a certain good or service. The term fashion is however heavily used in the clothing industry and it is sometimes taken to be synonymous with its trends. Normally, different fashionable trends exist in a given culture...

The Analysis of Procurement Methods

The research, which has been carried out, is aimed at analyzing procurement methods and their use. In particular, it is of the crucial importance to identify the major criteria for creating the customers profile and organizing delivery. We should also pay extra attention to the choice of particular technique, and...

The Relocation of Three-Bedroom Apartment Into a Modern Style

The main scope of this project is to relocate a three-bedroom apartment into a modern style. The present arrangement of this apartment is not excellent and there is very little space. There should be more space after the new arrangement of furniture. Also, interior designing should be done with the...

• Popular Culture
• Procurement

Supply Chain as a Crucial Component of Sustainability in the Fashion Industry

Introduction The fashion industry has always been one of the most influential drivers of society. For many decades, designers of apparel dictated the rules, and millions of people all over the world obeyed them. However, with the recent emergence of the movement towards sustainable development, the roles have switched. Nowadays,...

Ancient Architectures Comparison: Similarities and Differences in the Architecture of Different Cultures and Epochs

Architecture represents the core values of the national culture and historical period. By comparing particular examples of Aegean, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture, this paper will explore the similarities and differences which can be found in works of architecture of different cultures and epochs. By comparing the Lion...

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in History and Art

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The church I grew up in opposes IVF. Are my infertility struggles part of God’s design?

Most people in Los Angeles spend their Saturdays at the beach in the summer. I spend mine sitting on a bench outside a fertility clinic, praying to be pregnant. 

It’s been almost four years since my husband, Anthony, and I started trying for a baby. Like many couples, we thought time was on our side, so we spent our 20s getting degrees and advancing our careers. Kids would happen “someday”; we assumed we’d have two or three. In the meantime, we relished becoming the fun uncle, and the cool aunt. 

A few weeks after my 30th birthday, I scheduled an appointment to remove my IUD. Anthony had just turned 34. “Hopefully I’ll see you in a couple of months!” my gynecologist said before sending us off with recommendations for prenatal vitamins. Little did she know we would see her and so many other doctors frequently in the coming years, but never once for a pregnancy. 

According to reproductive endocrinologists, our issue is likely egg quality — though anyone who has experienced infertility knows this is often code for “we can’t figure it out.” 

Medical research for infertility is wildly underfunded despite declining fertility rates across the globe. A 2023 news release from the World Health Organization states that 17.5% of couples struggle to conceive. For some, the diagnosis is straightforward — endometriosis , blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility . For others, the diagnosis is unexplained, as has been the case for us. 

At the beginning of 2023, after two years of failing to get pregnant on our own, Anthony and I turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a last resort. Until then, the cost had made IVF seem like an impossible option: in Los Angeles, one IVF cycle can be over $25,000. Many health insurance plans don’t cover fertility treatments, including ours. But if I’ve learned anything about infertility, it’s that it will make you both desperate and willing to do whatever it takes to have a baby. For us, this has meant taking out loans, borrowing money from family and working second jobs. 

If I’ve learned anything about infertility, it’s that it will make you both desperate and willing to do whatever it takes to have a baby. For us, this has meant taking out loans, borrowing money from family and working second jobs.

Still, the bills are suffocating, especially when you’re paying for something that doesn’t always work — like at our most recent appointment when my body didn’t respond to the birth control pills (yes, birth control is, ironically, used to help regulate your ovaries), and we were forced to cancel that IVF cycle. At the clinic where we go, we pay a package fee for every egg retrieval and embryo transfer. If a cycle is canceled because my body doesn’t respond to the medication, we back pay for all my appointments and blood work, which are now a la carte services. Two 15-minute appointments ran us $1,300.

The stress and grief Anthony and I have experienced in our journey to become parents is unlike anything I could have anticipated. It’s taken a toll on our mental health, our marriage and our bodies. Yet, in recent weeks, I’ve found this stress and pain to be exacerbated by current religious debates about the ethics of IVF and reproductive assistance in the United States, especially because I grew up in the church.

Two of the churches I attended as a child belong to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which recently voted against the use of assisted reproductive technology. Their biggest concern is embryo banking — the creating and freezing of multiple embryos — since they believe embryos are human beings. 

The report advocates “for the government to restrain actions inconsistent with the dignity and value of every human being, which necessarily includes frozen embryonic human beings.” It also emphasizes adherence to what the SBC perceives as “natural” reproductive methods, viewing IVF as an artificial intervention in God’s design. I have to wonder, though: Was it God’s design for my husband and me to have difficulty conceiving? 

I have to wonder: Was it God’s design for my husband and me to have difficulty conceiving?

While I no longer belong to any church or believe in the doctrines of the SBC, I feel overwhelmed and devastated for congregants who’ve used IVF to have their babies, or those who are in the throes of infertility. They must now wrestle with ethics and possible shaming from pastors and other church members, especially if they currently have frozen embryos waiting to be transferred. And with more than 13 million members, the SBC does not exist in a silo; its opinions hold weight, especially on the political stage. A day after the report, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have protected IVF access across the nation.

I wish my two frozen embryos were human babies; I really do. But the statistics don’t favor this wish. A 2018 study conducted by Reproductive Medicine Associates and presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found that three chromosomally normal embryos are needed for one live birth (a 94.9% chance of pregnancy). Sometimes it takes less, but often it takes more.

Last fall, for example, our first egg retrieval failed. I cried for weeks. The retrieval was textbook, and I had 19 follicles going into the surgery. But from those 19, doctors were only able to create one embryo. It arrested, or stopped developing, within hours. 

Embryo banking has never been an ethical concern for Anthony or me or the other people we’ve met doing IVF because we all know that our embryos are not compatible with life until they are reinserted into the uterus. Even then, the embryo has to implant, and the cells must continue to divide to form a fetus. So much can go wrong between transfer day and birth, especially for infertility patients. To have a chance at a family, creating multiple embryos is necessary. For cancer patients, too, embryo banking is a gift as it allows them to preserve their fertility. 

I also wish the SBC was correct in its assumption that IVF “routinely creates more embryos than can reasonably be implanted.” This may be true sometimes, but it isn’t our story. Anthony and I will have one embryo left after we transfer our first embryo this summer. Our doctor tells us there is a 60% chance it will lead to a pregnancy. We will likely need at least one more egg retrieval to have more than one child.

Back on the bench outside the fertility clinic, I think about how my parents raised me to believe that God can heal and perform miracles. According to the Bible stories I learned as a girl, Jesus walked on water and raised Lazarus from the dead. But my parents also taught me that God created the brains responsible for inventing modern medicine and that ignoring the medical interventions available to us would be like choosing to drown despite a nearby life raft.

“We commit to pray to our God who hears, sees, and remembers on behalf of those couples struggling with infertility” is how the SBC resolution ends. Anthony and I will continue to pray, too. But we will also rely on IVF.

Kayti Christian is a writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She is represented by Sallyanne Sweeney with MMB Creative and is currently writing a memoir about IVF and infertility. Find her writing about infertility on substack .

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