Exploring the Essence of Design: A Personal Journey

When I first entered design school (BIT-MESRA, Jaipur), I was immediately confronted with a fundamental question: What is Design? Now, years later, as I walk out of the same gates, the question remains.

Over the years, I’ve encountered numerous definitions of design—some insightful, some poetic and others practical. However, none have captured the full complexity of what design truly represents. The deeper I delved, the more questions arose.

The Human-Centered Dilemma

A popular philosophy in design is human-centered design, which emphasizes prioritizing human needs and experiences. On the surface, this sounds like a no-brainer. But I struggled with this approach when faced with difficult scenarios.

Take the example of a rail track cutting through a forest. It facilitates the movement of thousands of people, but it disrupts the natural habitat, possibly causing harm to wildlife.

This raised a critical question: If design is focused on human benefit, does it always lead to good outcomes? What about the non-human stakeholders? Shouldn’t design take their well-being into consideration as well?

Exploring the Essence of Design: A Personal Journey

Over the years, I’ve encountered numerous definitions of design—some insightful, some poetic and others practical. However, none have captured the full complexity of what design truly represents. The deeper I delved, the more questions arose.

The Problem with "Problem-Solving"

Design is often defined as a solution to a problem, a practical tool for resolving challenges. But what happens when there isn’t an immediate problem to solve? Do we invent problems to justify design?

Sometimes, design doesn’t emerge from a problem. It comes from an impulse to push boundaries, imagine new possibilities or explore new ideas. In such cases, design is more about innovation and envisioning change than about solving a particular issue.

The "Better" Experience Fallacy

Another common view of design is that it’s about creating better experiences. But here’s an uncomfortable truth: not all designs improve experiences. Sometimes, the aim is to make an experience deliberately difficult or uncomfortable for a greater purpose.

For example, designing an experience to help someone quit smoking might involve making the process intentionally unpleasant. So, is design about making things better and more pleasant? Or is it about serving a deeper purpose, even if that means discomfort in the short term?

My Definition: Design as an Agent of Intended Change

After years of reflection, my definition of design has evolved: Design is an element of intended change.

It’s not the change itself—it’s the catalyst that helps to bring about that change. Design nudges us toward a specific direction, whether it’s improving a product, solving a challenge or rethinking how we interact with the world. In this sense, design is the force that enables transformation.

The Importance of Defining Design

The purpose of defining design isn’t about arriving at a singular, universal truth. It’s about continuously questioning, exploring and refining our understanding. This mindset allows me to evolve and adapt, ensuring that design remains relevant and impactful.

So, I ask you: How would you define design? What is its true essence to you?

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