Starting from the Beginning: What is Design?

If you've ever wondered "What exactly do designers do?" or "What is this UX thing everyone keeps talking about?" – you're in the right place. This guide will break down design in simple terms, without any jargon or assumptions about what you already know.

Design is Problem-Solving

At its most basic level, design is about solving problems. But not just any problems – specifically problems that people have when they're trying to accomplish something.

Think about everyday objects around you:

• A door handle is designed to make it obvious how to open a door
• A traffic light uses colors (red, yellow, green) that most people universally understand
• Your smartphone's home button is positioned where your thumb naturally rests

None of these solutions happened by accident. Someone designed them by thinking about what people needed and how to make their lives easier.

Design is Everywhere

Design isn't just about making things look pretty (though that can be part of it). Design is about making things work better for people. You encounter design decisions hundreds of times every day:

• When you use an app – someone designed where the buttons go and what happens when you tap them
• When you navigate a website – someone designed how the menu works and where to put important information
• When you walk through a store – someone designed the layout to help you find what you're looking for
• When you use a coffee maker – someone designed the interface to make it clear how to brew your morning cup

Every time you use something and think "this is easy" or "this makes sense," good design is probably at work. And every time you think "this is confusing" or "why would they put that there?" – that's likely a design problem.

So What is UX Design?

UX stands for "User Experience" – and it's exactly what it sounds like: how people experience using something.

Breaking Down "User Experience"