Design is a conversation

"I've always wanted to create a really expensive hard-bound coffee table book that outlines 1,234 definitions of design, with large colorful diagrams, pictures, and examples from various creations and industries - all legitimately falling into a unique definition of design. The thought that it could appeal to so many people because it hits such a multitude of professions and contexts in different ways. BTW, I'm calling dibs publicly now, so don't even think of stealing my idea."

"It's a noun. It's a verb. Sometimes it's visual. And sometimes it's as simple as planning something out with no visuals at all. It's strategic and tactical. Buttoned-up and messy. Detailed and conceptual. Sexy and vanilla. Post-it notes? Design. Moodboards? Design. Wireframes? You got it. As words go, it holds infinite meaning from the people who invented it - us humans."

"In overly simplistic ways, it represents the output. In other more complicated ways, it signifies the methods and the process. It reflects our thinking - our intuition and our exploration. Really, what a powerful word. Why would we ever want to abandon it? A while back, I read Suff Syed's provocative Why I'm Leaving Design - And What That Says About the Future of Design."

Design covers a vast range, from tangible visuals to intangible planning and strategy. A coffee-table book could catalog 1,234 unique definitions with diagrams, pictures, and examples across industries. Design functions as noun and verb, serving detailed and conceptual roles and encompassing strategic and tactical work. Everyday artifacts like Post-it notes, moodboards, and wireframes all qualify as design. In simple terms design denotes output; in complex terms it denotes methods and processes and reflects intuition and exploration. Critics argue the word has become so broad it means everything and nothing. The response is to preserve its depth and specificity as new tools and AI expand its scope. Words serve as language and a first user interface.

Read at Medium