Design, usually considered in the context of the applied arts, engineering, architecture, and other such creative endeavours, is used as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, “to design” refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a product, structure, or component. As a noun, “a design” is used for both the final (solution) plan (e.g. proposal, drawing, model, description) or the result of implementing that plan (e.g. object produced, result of the process). More recently, processes (in general) have also been treated as products of design, giving new meaning to the term “process design”.

Designing normally requires a designer considering aesthetic, functional, and many other aspects of an object or process, which usually requires considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design
 

Philosophies of design
There are countless philosophies for guiding design and for the purpose of design. Design philosophies are usually for determining design goals. A design goal may range from solving the least significant individual problem of the smallest element to the most holistic influential utopian goals. Design goals are usually for guiding design; however, conflicts over immediate and minor goals may lead to questioning the purpose of design, perhaps to set better long term or ultimate goals.

 

Philosophies for guiding design
A design philosophy is a guide to help make choices when designing. An example of a design philosophy is “dynamic change” to achieve the elegant or stylish look you need.
Approaches to design
A design approach is a general philosophy, not necessarily a guide for specific methods. Some are to guide the overall goal of the design. Other approaches are to guide the tendencies of the designer. A combination of approaches may be used if they don’t conflict.

Some popular approaches include:

User centered design, which focuses on the needs, wants, and limitations of the end user of the designed artifact
Use-centered design, which focuses on how it will be used with less emphasis on the user than user-centered design
KISS principle, (Keep it Simple, Stupid), which strives to eliminate unnecessary complications
There is more than one way to do it (TMTOWTDI), Perl’s design philosophy to allow multiple methods of doing the same thing
Murphy’s Law (Everything that can go wrong will, so plan for it before hand)

Philosophies for methods of designing
Main article: Design methods
Design Methods is a broad area that focuses on:

Exploring possibilities and constraints by focusing critical thinking skills to research and define problem spaces for existing products or services—or the creation of new categories; (see also Design thinking)
Redefining the specifications of design solutions which can lead to better guidelines for traditional design activities (graphic, industrial, architectural, etc.);
Managing the process of exploring, defining, creating artifacts continually over time
Prototyping possible scenarios, or solutions that incrementally or significantly improve the inherited situation

Philosophies for the purpose of designs
In philosophy, the abstract noun “design” refers to a pattern with a purpose. Design is thus contrasted with purposelessness, randomness, or lack of complexity.

To study the purpose of designs, beyond individual goals (e.g. marketing, technology, education, entertainment, hobbies), is to question the controversial politics, morals, ethics and needs such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. “Purpose” may also lead to existential questions such as religious morals and teleology. These philosophies for the “purpose of” designs are in contrast to philosophies for guiding design or methodology.

A designer may not be in a position to define purpose and, in many cases, need not be concerned with purpose or intended use beyond what the designer is capable of influencing.