A design is a blueprint or detailed description of an architectural object or system, or the outcome of that blueprint or detailed description in the shape of a model, product or procedure, or even the intended result of such a blueprint or detailed description. The word ‘design’ has other meanings as well, including ‘appear beautiful’, ‘fit to use’ and ‘fit to be,’ indicating an artistic or technical quality rather than a practical quality. The singular ‘design’ denotes a purposeful intention.

A designer usually begins with a detailed description of the end product, or prototype, and the expected visual elements, sizes, shapes, sounds and materials to be used in the design. The designer will then select from a variety of available tools and techniques for manipulating the visual elements into a meaningful composition, or ‘vision.’ Designers must select appropriate graphics, text, color scheme and other composition elements to support the design concept. The verbal description of the design concept is an aid to designers in deciding how to construct the design, but the final visual creation bears the final claim to uniqueness of the invention.

Color selection, contrast and other contrasts are used to make the visual interest of the invention visible to the viewer. The overall appearance should have some overall commonalities with other similar objects. Color selection depends on the intent of the designer and on the general design theme. Some designers look for only basic geometric shapes and colors, while others seek to add textures, gradients and other visual interest factors. A combination of graphics, text and color can be used to generate an appealing design.