What is design?

         The general definition of design is 'purpose, planning, or intention that exists or is thought to exist behind an action, fact, or material object'[definition from Oxford Languages]. That is to say, it's the intentional act to define an idea into a real thing with a functioning purpose, or a real functioning element that is believed to have had a design period before being it's finished form. All this being very true. However, design and the act of designing carry an immense heavy weight when placed into a working field. When addressing architectural design, much like designing in engineering and home decor, etc., it's main purpose is to serve and/or satisfy the general publics needs and demands. Thus, the designing period could be defined as a representation of a physically functioning space in it's early stages and progression before the finished piece is decided.

        When designing living spaces, environment and location are key elements for the design to work accordingly. Climate, aesthetic, culture, terrane, functionality, accessibility, materials, among others, are the goals to meet in the creative process as to insure the structure won't be a waste of time, space and material when done. Of course, mix media and aesthetic play a huge part in the design process as to make a building be as interesting and attractive as possible; but, also, more technical things like constant weather changes and locations where the base could be an hill type terrane; or a more firmer dirt ground; as well as unstable sandy spaces, are all elements to decipher during the design process to make sure the right materials, space usage, etc. are placed and chosen according to the place and demographic. 

    An important aspect that should always be considered, in my opinion, when designing and does play a big part in the creative process for a lot designers, is the sustainability of a structure. Sustainability being, of course, the eco-friendly balance between the destruction of natural spaces, and structures with eco-friendly intent. As if to try an replace or add on to these natural resources that are generally depleting, plus the structure itself still having it's respective functionality in a human society.  

        Designing as a creative process has many layers to it. Each designer does it differently. Many don't design to to serve hand-in-hand sustainability and functionality and many others do. Some design old-fashioned, some design modern-simplistic, some go for the dynamic-surrealistic route. It's all different, yet holds a purpose. This is to say that, although design is a very technical field, it's an unironically flexible, creative field as well. Design, and most specifically architectural design, is an art created on how to fulfill space for people.