definition of design by The Free Dictionary
Noun 1. design – the act of working out the form of something (as by
design – the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan); “he contributed to the design of a new instrument”
planning – the act or process of drawing up plans or layouts for some project or enterprise
organization, arrangement, organisation, system – an organized structure for arranging or classifying; “he changed the arrangement of the topics”; “the facts were familiar but it was in the organization of them that he was original”; “he tried to understand their system of classification”
configuration, constellation – an arrangement of parts or elements; “the outcome depends on the configuration of influences at the time”
layout – a plan or design of something that is laid out
snare, trap – something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares; “the exam was full of trap questions”; “it was all a snare and delusion”
hotel plan, meal plan – a plan and a room rate for providing a room and meals to guests at a hotel
design – something intended as a guide for making something else; “a blueprint for a house”; “a pattern for a skirt”
plan, program, programme – a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished; “they drew up a six-step plan”; “they discussed plans for a new bond issue”
argyle, argyll – a design consisting of a pattern of varicolored diamonds on a solid background (originally for knitted articles); patterned after the tartan of a clan in western Scotland
bear claw – an incised design resembling the claw of a bear; used in Native American pottery
damascene – a design produced by inlaying gold or silver into steel
decal, decalcomania – either a design that is fixed to some surface or a paper bearing the design which is to be transferred to the surface
device – any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery)
emblem – special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
herringbone pattern, herringbone – a pattern of columns of short parallel lines with all the lines in one column sloping one way and lines in adjacent columns sloping the other way; it is used in weaving, masonry, parquetry, embroidery
linocut – a design carved in relief into a block of linoleum
mandala – any of various geometric designs (usually circular) symbolizing the universe; used chiefly in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation
mihrab – (Islam) a design in the shape of niche in a Muslim prayer rug; during worship the niche must be pointed toward Mecca
motif, motive – a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
polka dot – design consisting of a pattern of regularly spaced circular spots
screen saver – (computer science) a moving design that appears on a computer screen when there has been no input for a specified period of time; “screen savers prevent the damage that occurs when the same areas of light and dark are displayed too long”
sunburst – a design consisting of a central disk resembling the sun and rays emanating from it
tattoo – a design on the skin made by tattooing
tetraskele, tetraskelion – a figure consisting of four stylized human arms or legs (or bent lines) radiating from a center
triskele, triskelion – a figure consisting of three stylized human arms or legs (or three bent lines) radiating from a center
weave – pattern of weaving or structure of a fabric
design – an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; “his intent was to provide a new translation”; “good intentions are not enough”; “it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs”; “he made no secret of his designs”
goal, end – the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it; “the ends justify the means”
idea, mind – your intention; what you intend to do; “he had in mind to see his old teacher”; “the idea of the game is to capture all the pieces”
final cause – (philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process
sake – the purpose of achieving or obtaining; “for the sake of argument”
view – purpose; the phrase `with a view to’ means `with the intention of’ or `for the purpose of’; “he took the computer with a view to pawning it”
will – a fixed and persistent intent or purpose; “where there’s a will there’s a way”
sketch, study – preliminary drawing for later elaboration; “he made several studies before starting to paint”
design – the creation of something in the mind
concoction – the invention of a scheme or story to suit some purpose; “his testimony was a concoction”; “she has no peer in the concoction of mystery stories”
contrivance – the faculty of contriving; inventive skill; “his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem”
plot – devise the sequence of events in (a literary work or a play, movie, or ballet); “the writer is plotting a new novel”
concert – contrive (a plan) by mutual agreement
map out, map – plan, delineate, or arrange in detail; “map one’s future”
create, make – create by artistic means; “create a poem”; “Schoenberg created twelve-tone music”; “Picasso created Cubism”; “Auden made verses”
tailor, cut – style and tailor in a certain fashion; “cut a dress”
make up – devise or compose; “This designer makes up our Spring collections”
design – create designs; “Dupont designs for the house of Chanel”
engineer – design as an engineer; “He engineered the water supply project”
redesign – design anew, make a new design for
create, make – create by artistic means; “create a poem”; “Schoenberg created twelve-tone music”; “Picasso created Cubism”; “Auden made verses”
design – create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner; “Chanel designed the famous suit”
intend, mean, think – have in mind as a purpose; “I mean no harm”; “I only meant to help you”; “She didn’t think to harm me”; “We thought to return early that night”