General Design Definitions

Useful Fashion, Architecture and Graphics Design Definitions

Fashion, graphics and creative construction terms are all parts of the imaginative world of conceptualization. So you see, the definition of design encompasses a very large arena indeed. That's why we have decided to compose a dictionary of broad design architecture words that simplifies the main elements in aesthetics and creative eye candy.

They can be used as a computer aided design definition to generally guide you in the world of "what is the definition of design"? Intelligent design comes from within the creative side of designers. Although the definition of conceptual design is easily described, it is physically manifested uniquely from each artist. It is original and innovative thinking that results in world famous, one of a kind designs such as the Egyptian Pyramids or the building architecture in Japan and throughout the world.

Broad and Generalized Design Definitions

Cabinet making- Being taught about the craft of creating items of wooden furniture.
Marquetry and Inlaying- Being taught about the craft of decorating wooden items by inlaying patterns of thin layers of wood, brass, ivory etc.
Veneering- Being taught on the craft of bonding thin outer layers of wood, brass, ivory etc to items for decorative purposes.
Surface Decoration- The study of all crafts which involve changing the appearance of objects by adding ornament or colour to their outer layer.
Clay and Stone Crafts- The study of all crafts which involve the use of clay, stone and related materials.
Pottery- The study of the craft of creating vessels and artefacts from fired clay.
Tile Making- The study of the craft of creating decorative and functional tiles from clay and ceramic materials.
Stone Crafts- Learning about the craft of creating decorative and functional items from stone. may include dry-stone walling.
Reed Crafts- Attaining education with all crafts which involve the use of reeds and related materials.
Basketry- Learning about the craft of constructing containers from interwoven cane or reeds.


Thatching- The method of the craft of traditional roofing using straw, reeds or similar materials.
Glass Crafts- Getting qualified with all crafts which involve the use of glass as a source material.
Glassblowing- Becoming trained with the craft of constructing glass vessels by means of blowing into molten glass.
Paper Crafts- Being qualified for all crafts which involve the making or use of paper as a source material.
Bookbinding- Learning on the craft of constructing decorative and ornate bindings for hand-printed books.
Origami- Getting schooling with the japanese craft of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures.
Imaginative Writing- Getting schooling in the creation of fictional text.
Scriptwriting- Being taught about the writing of scripts for theatre/television or motion picture productions.
Poetry Writing- Attaining schooling with the writing of poems.
Prose Writing- Learning about the writing of prose.
Creative Arts and Design- Being taught about creative arts and design meaning
Fine Art- Having been qualified for the aesthetic representation in one medium of what is reality in another. encompasses all artistic media.
Drawing- Obtaining career education with the expression of emotions, ideas or views of reality through representation by lines on a surface. includes the use of such media as pen & ink, pencil, charcoal, pastel etc.
Painting- Being taught about the expression of emotions, ideas or views of reality through representation by the application of paints and chemical colour substances to canvasses or other materials.
Sculpture- Becoming trained for the representation of reality using three-dimensional media e.g. stone, metal, wood etc.
Printmaking- Getting qualified in the expression of emotions, ideas or views of reality by rendering art concepts onto surfaces and transferring images, via ink or dyes, onto paper or fabric.
Calligraphy- Getting qualified in the artistic construction of hand-written text.
Fine Art Conservation- Being taught about the conservation, protection and restoration of fine art artifacts.
Design studies- Getting career education in design for everyday objects, taking into account technology and commerce as well as appearance and current art thinking. may involve the use of computers as design tools.
Graphic Design- Becoming qualified for the use of artistic techniques effectively to communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via forms of printed media.
Typography- The method of the use of artistic techniques in the design and production of printed matter.
Multimedia Design- The method of the use of artistic techniques in design using a variety of materials.
Visual Communication- The method of the use of artistic techniques in design to impart information.
Illustration- Being taught in the use of artistic techniques effectively to communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via drawn or painted images.
Clothing/Fashion Design- Attaining education and training in the design and use of textiles and other materials to create items of apparel.
Textile Design- Being taught about the design of textiles.
Industrial/Product Design- Being taught for the design of industrial and consumer products to meet aesthetic, functional and commercial requirements.
Interior Design- Educating yourself on the use of artistic techniques in the planning, designing, equipping and furnishing of residential, commercial and public interior spaces.
Furniture Design- Attaining education for the design of furniture for residential, commercial and public environments.
Ceramics Design- Learning in the design of ceramic artefacts.
Interactive and Electronic Design- Being taught about the design of non static computer-generated images.
Design studies not elsewhere classified- The method of miscellaneous grouping for related subjects which do not fit into the other design studies categories. to be used sparingly.
Music- The method of melody, harmony and rhythm produced in accordance with specified patterns and sequences. may include performance, theory and history of music.
History of Music- Being taught about the historical development of music and musical styles.
Musicology- The method of the systematic study of the forms and methods of music art, and the functions of music in societies and cultures.
Musical Instrument History- Studying on historical studies of the development of musical instruments in the context of changing styles of playing and performance.
Drama- Being taught about and/or training in acting and stagecraft. may include theatre management and the supervision and production of scenery, costume, lighting, etc.
Acting- Obtaining education with the communication of dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the achievement of naturalistic and believable behaviour in imaginary circumstances.
Directing for Theatre- The study of the supervision and direction of dramatic performances.
Producing for Theatre- The study of the techniques and principles involved in the production of theatrical performances other than acting and directing.
Theatre studies- Being qualified with the technical aspects of theatrical performances.
Stage Management- Learning about the management of lighting, props, scenery and other technical items associated with theatrical performances.
Theatrical Wardrobe Design- Being taught on the design of costumes for theatrical performances.
Theatrical Make-up- Educating yourself in the application of make-up and/or face and body paints for theatrical performances.
Theatre Design- Learning about the design of theatres and theatre productions.
Stage Design- Studying in the design of sets and scenery for use in theatres, film and television.
Dance- Examinating on and/or training in the movement of the body, particularly in time to music. may include some study ofmusic and/or drama.
Choreography- Learning about the arrangement and planning of staged dance.
Body Awareness- The method of the human body in relation to its capabilities in generating artistic forms in dance.

History of Dance- The method of the development of dance in societies and cultures.
Types of Dance- Learning in the specific styles and genres of dance.
Cinematics and Photography- Being taught in all aspects of film making.
Moving Image Techniques- Becoming qualified with the techniques and principles associated with the production of moving image sequences.
Directing Motion Pictures- Attaining education for the direction and arrangement of equipment and actors in the production of a moving image sequence.
Producing Motion Pictures- Learning about all aspects of the production of a moving image sequence other than acting and directing.
Film & Sound Recording- Being taught about the recording of audio and video elements in the production of a moving image sequence.
Visual and Audio Effects- Being qualified for the production of special visual and/or audio effects in the production of moving image sequences.
Animation Techniques- Studying in the particular techniques associated with the creation of the illusion of movement in a video sequence, by the filming of successive drawings or the positions of puppets.
Cinematography- The method of the purely artistic elements of moving image sequences.
History of Cinematics and Photography- Attaining career education in the development of moving image and still image generation.
History of Cinematics- Getting trained in the development of the generating of moving images.
History of Photography- The study of the development of the generating of still images.
Photography- The method of all aspects in the creation of still images on photographic film or plates.
Crafts- Learning for the use of a variety of materials individually and in combination to create pleasing and useful items. includes a high proportion of practical work.
Fabric and Leather Crafts- Being trained in all crafts which are based upon the source materials of fabric and leather.
Needlecraft- Being trained for crafts which draw upon the use of needles in create and decorate fabric and leather artefacts.
Dressmaking- The study of the creation of items of apparel.
Soft Furnishing- Getting trained with the creation of soft furnishing items.
Weaving- Obtaining training and education for the craft of interweaving fibres of material, such as cotton, wool, etc.
Leatherwork- Getting higher education for the craft involved with the creation or decoration of items made from animal skin.
Metal Crafts- Apprenticing in all crafts which use metals as a source material.
Silversmithing/Goldsmithing- Getting business education in the craft of creating artefacts using the materials of silver and gold.
Blacksmithing- Attaining education and training in the craft of creating artefacts from iron.
Clock/Watchmaking- Being taught about the craft of creating chronometers.
Wood Crafts- The method of all crafts which involve the use of wood as a source material.
Carpentry/Joinery- Educating yourself on the craft of laying-out, fabricating, erecting, installing and repairing wooden structures and fixtures.

The definition of design as described by a dictionary is:

"plan: make or work out a plan for; devise; "They contrived to murder their boss"; "design a new sales strategy"; "plan an attack"

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