What is design?

I see design as a functional form of art. It is aesthetically based creation that happens to have a purpose. Design is a human invention that often mimics nature. The designer takes from what he knows and develops something completely new. This new creation can be anything. Much like art, design is not limited to one form. From advertisements to tooth brushes and from cars to furniture the possibilities are endless. Very often you may not even know a design when you see one. How many times have you thought about whom designed you scissors or what it took to do so? That one pair of scissors contains many hours of brainstorming, sketching, planning, testing and finally production. The curve of the handle and the size of the finger holes are both examples of the elements of design in that simple object. The purpose of a design is often time to create a solution to a problem. The designer originally looked at a pair of scissors and set out to improve upon the first design which resulted in your scissors. This is also an example of how design is innovation. It pushes the boundaries of what is already in place. Good design is the marriage of purpose and visually pleasing elements. That union is in essence the root of design.