What is Design? A Journey Through Definitions
Naveen Kumar Gonga
CEO & Co-Founder, Studio Carbon | Design-Led Innovation | $300M+ Raised | Industrial Design & Brand Strategy
When I first entered design school (NID), the first question I encountered was: “What is Design?” Years later, as I walked out of those same gates, the question remained the same.
Over the years, I’ve heard countless definitions. Some were insightful, some poetic, and some practical. Yet, none seemed to capture the full essence of what design truly is. The more I explored, the more questions I uncovered.
The Human-Centered Dilemma
Many advocate for human-centered design—a philosophy that prioritizes human needs and experiences. But here’s where I struggled:
Imagine a rail track cutting through a forest. It helps thousands of humans move between Point A and Point B more efficiently. But it also disrupts the habitat of countless animals, potentially leading to their deaths.
In such scenarios, does prioritizing humans always equate to good design? What about the non-human stakeholders? Shouldn’t design consider them too?
The Problem with "Problem-Solving"
Another common definition frames design as a tool for problem-solving. While that sounds practical, I’ve often found myself asking:
Sometimes, design acts without a problem in sight. It pushes boundaries, imagines new possibilities, and redefines what’s possible. It’s not always about solving something—it’s about envisioning change.
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The "Better" Experience
Design is often described as the pursuit of better experiences. But here’s an uncomfortable truth: not every design makes things better.
Take a scenario like designing for someone to quit smoking. You might create an intentionally bitter or unpleasant experience to achieve the intended outcome.
This made me question: Is design only about making things pleasant? Or is it about serving a greater purpose, even if the experience feels uncomfortable in the moment?
My Take: Design as an Agent of Intended Change
After years of reflection and practice, I’ve arrived at my own definition: Design is an agent of intended change.
It’s not the change itself. It’s not a magic wand. Instead, design is the catalyst—the force that nudges us toward a specific direction. Whether it’s enhancing a product, solving a challenge, or rethinking how we coexist with the world, design enables transformation.
This definition has shaped how I lead at Studio Carbon. We approach each project as a chance to drive purposeful, intentional change, whether it’s building a brand, crafting a product, or reimagining a system.
Why This Matters?
Defining design isn’t about arriving at one universal truth. It’s about constantly questioning, exploring, and refining our understanding. This mindset allows us to evolve with the world around us, ensuring that design remains relevant and impactful.
So, what’s your take? How would you define design?
#DesignThinking #WhatIsDesign #StudioCarbon #Leadership #IntentionalChange #DesignForImpact
Pioneer in driving innovation through co-creation, design educator, author, speaker.
2 个月To better understand "what is design," one approach is to reframe the question as "what do people want designed?" By examining the reasons why individuals and organizations engage with design or hire designers, we can begin to uncover how design is interpreted, understood, misunderstood, and practiced. My own understanding of design has evolved from the formal education I received in design school to the practical, everyday applications of design in people's lives and the work I've done with clients. Each of my classmates from NID, now 50 years ago, has forged their own unique design journey, engaging with various clients and creating distinctive work. Rather than attempting to define design, I've focused on characterizing the types of engagements where I can best utilize my knowledge and skills to benefit the communities I care about. I've decided to dedicate my time and energy to cultivating curiosity, compassion, and imagination, fostering a future based on caring and sharing. This is my designerly purpose. I encourage each individual to define their own path and embrace the diverse interpretations and applications of design.
Design executive that questions, explores, and reframes products & service improvements & opportunities into focused value.
2 个月Interesting post. Design is a very broad word that has many meanings depending on context. John Hesket half humorously said the definition of design was : “Design is to design a design to produce a design.” Design is a synthetic discipline and can be a plan, a mark or a tangible outcome. Design converts intention into intentionality and should in principle increase the agency of people.
Product Design Consultant & Leader | R&D & Design Driven Innovation | Experiencia en dise?o premiado | Adjunct Professor | Open to Mentor
2 个月Design is the catalyst—the force that nudges us toward a specific direction. . . May the force be with you
Design: It's not just solving problems, it's about phooling around with the questions to see what sticks.
Qualitative Researcher | Doctoral Candidate in Public Policy | Project Lead @ Catalytic Corps
2 个月Hrishika Jain interesting read!