Assignment | The Object of Design

Based on the presentation, human imagination makes something an object of design. As the professor stated, "Everything that is a product of human imagination is an object of design," which possesses both a form and function intended to serve a specific purpose. This concept reflects what we call design consciousness.

In Professor Goldberg’s "Design Consciousness – A Manifesto," it is noted that design has historically been seen primarily as decorative art, focusing on making things visually appealing. However, designers have come to understand their role more broadly as creators of solutions that address human needs in our rapidly changing world. I appreciate this expanded definition because it is inclusive, allowing everyone to see themselves as a designer. Professor Goldberg further elaborates that the term DESIGN THINKING is the moniker most typically applied to this broader way of understanding design practice. I agree with his assertion that “our impulse to design springs from so much more than a desire to decorate. Starting with the first tools made of sticks, stones, and bones, the adaptive design emerged from our instinct to create a world that is better suited to us, better adapted.”

I am reminded of the countless times we've been at home, working on a project, and realizing we need a particular tool to bring our vision to life. In those moments, we often resort to finding a stick, an instrument, or some other makeshift solution to help us achieve our goals. It strikes me that this embodies design thinking at its finest, as its essence lies in creating a form and function tailored for a specific purpose. While I've never considered myself a designer in the traditional sense, this broader definition of design encompasses everyone who has ever created something, from the imaginative efforts of a child to the skilled hands of a senior citizen.

When I think about what makes something an object of design, I realize it’s not just about whether it looks polished or professionally produced. It’s about intention. Something becomes an object of design when someone has deliberately shaped it for a purpose, especially in relation to other people. It’s not just that it exists; it’s that it was thought through.

The video and image helped me see how broad that category really is. We usually think of design in terms of cars, buildings, or furniture. But the slide included digital products, ergonomics, engineered parts, social design, and services. That really stretched my thinking. A website interface, a hospital workflow, even the way a service is delivered, all of these are designed. They may not always be physical, but they still shape how we move through the world. From the presentation, " everything that is a product of human Imagination is an object of design, the form and function that are expected for some purpose''.

What stood out to me most was the idea that design is about the meeting point between form and function. Form is what we notice first — the look, the feel, the shape. Function is how it actually works in our hands and in our lives. I kept thinking about the lamp that looks beautiful but doesn’t adjust easily. It reminds me that something can be visually appealing but still fail the user. Good design has to support real human use.

I also appreciated the reminder that design isn’t usually the work of one genius sitting alone. Even something as simple as a pen or a phone app reflects layers of collaboration. An object of design, then, is anything intentionally created to shape experience. It carries thought, care, and purpose, and ultimately enters into a relationship with the people who use it.