Design is about making something that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional. As a designer, we are often asked to create while adhering to the wants and needs of a client as well as society. In exploring the question of what we ask design to do, one must also consider the questions of what design is and who the people of design are, both of which I attempted to answer last week. I said last week that I believe that design is everywhere, and that I do not believe that there is a single definition that could truly encompass all that design is and its impact on the world. Additionally I stated that everyone is in some way a person of design whether that’s as the designer, the client, or the consumer. Design is the first impression we get when we encounter something. In the case of the design of a book cover or a movie poster, the design will impact our first thoughts on that book or movie and whether or not we want to see or read it. Through the images the designer will need to convey to us the important points of the story and (attempt) to make us want to read or see it mostly through images with a small amount of text. In the case of a room or building design, the designer must create a space that is functional for the client as well as beautiful. A fashion designer needs to make something aesthetically pleasing as well as wearable. In every area of design, the designer must face the challenge of not only creating something that is beautiful, but also that serves a purpose.
