Dear Eduardo and all,
This etymology of design to try to find the 'true' meaning of the term 'design' is interesting.
I understand the pathway that has been presented that justifies the etymology of one version of the term 'design' in English as related to Art and Architecture. Some responsible dictionary makers also seem to feel there is an etymological path for the English version of the term design to the Latin verb 'designare'.
That leaves some puzzles.
I'm wondering how and why, the non-art meaning of the term design emerged that is widely found in the engineering disciplines, and whose use appears to be numerically more common than the art-based version of 'design'?
Ken and Eduardo, I would welcome your advice.
I'm particularly also interested in information about the phenomenon by which a definition of design that was previously apparently dominant (the art-based definition linked to Wotton), became transformed over a short time to mean something technical .
Understanding this process of the shifting in definition of the term design is potentially increasingly important as more and more design disciplines emerge that do not require drawing skills. I'm thinking, organisation design, information process design, organisational system design, ecological system design, crime prevention programs, educational program design, digital eco-system design etc.
Many of these design disciplines use symbolic or mathematical representations rather than any form of drawing.
Should the definition of 'design' used in these areas be dependent in any way on concepts related to drawing, sketching or visual arts?
How does the etymology story go on this, especially when designs are mixed? I'm thinking for example of when (say) a billion dollar engineering design program subcontracts for a small interface design project. Is the definition of design that of engineering or art?
Best wishes,
Terry.
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