Design vs. Designated — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
Design involves creating a plan or visual representation, while designated means being officially assigned to a particular task or role.
Difference Between Design and Designated
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Design refers to the act of creating and planning the structure or system of an object, system, or measurable human interaction. It often involves artistic and creative skills. On the other hand, designated is a term used when someone or something has been officially assigned or set aside for a specific role or purpose. It's more about the allocation or appointment rather than the creative process.
Design implies a creative and deliberate process of envisioning and planning the creation of something. It can apply to a wide range of contexts, including architecture, graphics, systems, and more. Designated, however, speaks to the outcome of a decision or choice made by an authority, where a person or thing is specifically named or selected for a task or position.
While design involves imagination, drafting, and execution, focusing on the aesthetics or functionality of the outcome, designated is more administrative and final, with no implication of creativity. A design must be conceived and developed, but something designated need only be named or identified.
Design can also mean a pattern or decoration, such as those seen on fabrics or ceramics. It is a noun when referring to the end product of the design process. Conversely, designated often functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to convey that they have been officially chosen for a particular role or function.
The quality of a design is often judged on creativity, usability, and aesthetic appeal, reflecting the designer's vision and purpose. In contrast, a designated role or item is judged on the appropriateness or suitability for the assigned task or function, based on the intentions of those who did the designating.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Can be a noun or verb.
Primarily used as an adjective.
Implies
Creativity and planning.
Appointment or assignment.
Involvement
Active process of creation.
Passive result of being chosen.
Field
Art, architecture, engineering.
Administration, logistics.
Usage in a Sentence
Reflects concept or pattern.
Reflects status or role.
Compare with Definitions
Design
The art or action of conceiving and producing a plan.
She took a course in graphic design.
Designated
Marked for a specific role or path.
The funds were designated solely for research.
Design
To create the plans, drawings, etc., for something to be constructed.
They hired an engineer to design the new bridge.
Designated
Chosen to do or be something specific.
This area has been designated for recreational use.
Design
A design is a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for the implementation of an activity or process, or the result of that plan or specification in the form of a prototype, product or process. The verb to design expresses the process of developing a design.
Designated
Assigned to a particular purpose or position.
He was designated as the project manager.
Design
A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is made
He has just unveiled his design for the new museum
Designated
Officially given a particular status or name.
The school was designated as a historical landmark.
Design
A decorative pattern
Pottery with a lovely blue and white design
Designated
Specified or decided and declared.
She designated her best friend as her successor.
Design
Purpose or planning that exists behind an action, fact, or object
The appearance of design in the universe
Designated
To indicate or specify; point out
A fence that designates the property boundary.
Design
Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), by making a detailed drawing of it
A number of architectural students were designing a factory
Designated
To give a name or title to; characterize
The 1920s have been designated as the "Roaring Twenties.".
Design
To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent
Design a good excuse for not attending the conference.
Designated
To select and set aside for a duty, office, or purpose
Designated a delegate to represent our department.
Designated funds for the project.
Design
To formulate a plan for; devise
Designed a marketing strategy for the new product.
Designated
Appointed but not yet installed in office
The commissioner designate.
Design
To make a graphic or schematic representation of (something), especially as a plan for its structure
Design a building on a computer.
Design a new car model.
Designated
Simple past tense and past participle of designate
Design
To create or contrive for a particular purpose or effect
A game designed to appeal to all ages.
Designated
Having a specified designation
Design
To have as a goal or purpose; intend
"Mrs. Bennet had designed to keep the two Netherfield gentlemen to supper.
But ... she had no opportunity of detaining them" (Jane Austen).
Designated
Selected or named for a duty;
Designated hitter
Design
To make or execute plans.
Design
To create designs.
Design
A drawing or sketch.
Design
A graphic representation, especially a detailed plan for construction or manufacture.
Design
An ornamental pattern.
Design
The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details
The aerodynamic design of an automobile.
The design of an epic poem.
Design
A particular plan or method
The party's design for increasing voter turnout.
Design
The art or practice of designing or making designs
Studied design in college.
Design
A reasoned purpose; an intent
It was her design to set up practice on her own as soon as she was qualified.
Design
Deliberate intention
He became a photographer more by accident than by design.
Design
Often designs A secretive or underhanded plot or scheme
He has designs on my job.
Design
A specification of an object or process, referring to requirements to be satisfied and thus conditions to be met for them to solve a problem.
Design
A plan (with more or less detail) for the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system.
The initial design of the park was rejected for being too expensive.
Design
A pattern, as an element of a work of art or architecture.
We're working on some new designs for our range of summer shirts
Design
The composition of a work of art.
Design
Intention or plot.
We have designs on winning the league next season.
To be hateful of the truth by design.
Design
(particularly) Malicious or malevolent intention.
To have evil designs.
Design
The shape or appearance given to an object, especially one that is intended to make it more attractive.
Design
The art of designing
Danish furniture design is world-famous.
Design
(transitive) To plan and carry out (a picture, work of art, construction etc.).
Design
To plan (to do something).
The king designed to mount an expedition to the New World.
Design
To assign, appoint (something to someone); to designate.
Design
To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint.
Design
To manifest requirements to be satisfied by an object or process for them to solve a problem.
Design
To draw preliminary outline or main features of; to sketch for a pattern or model; to delineate; to trace out; to draw.
Design
To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint.
We shall seeJustice design the victor's chivalry.
Meet me to-morrow where the masterAnd this fraternity shall design.
Design
To create or produce, as a work of art; to form a plan or scheme of; to form in idea; to invent; to project; to lay out in the mind; as, a man designs an essay, a poem, a statue, or a cathedral.
Design
To intend or purpose; - usually with for before the remote object, but sometimes with to.
Ask of politicians the end for which laws were originally designed.
He was designed to the study of the law.
Design
To form a design or designs; to plan.
Design
A preliminary sketch; an outline or pattern of the main features of something to be executed, as of a picture, a building, or a decoration; a delineation; a plan.
Design
A plan or scheme formed in the mind of something to be done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be expressed in a visible form or carried into action; intention; purpose; - often used in a bad sense for evil intention or purpose; scheme; plot.
The vast design and purpos of the King.
The leaders of that assembly who withstood the designs of a besotted woman.
A . . . settled design upon another man's life.
How little he could guess the secret designs of the court!
Design
Specifically, intention or purpose as revealed or inferred from the adaptation of means to an end; as, the argument from design.
Design
The realization of an inventive or decorative plan; esp., a work of decorative art considered as a new creation; conception or plan shown in completed work; as, this carved panel is a fine design, or of a fine design.
Design
The invention and conduct of the subject; the disposition of every part, and the general order of the whole.
Is he a prudent man . . . that lays designs only for a day, without any prospect to the remaining part of his life?
I wish others the same intention, and greater successes.
It is the purpose that makes strong the vow.
Design
The act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan);
He contributed to the design of a new instrument
Design
An arrangement scheme;
The awkward design of the keyboard made operation difficult
It was an excellent design for living
A plan for seating guests
Design
Something intended as a guide for making something else;
A blueprint for a house
A pattern for a skirt
Design
A decorative or artistic work;
The coach had a design on the doors
Design
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Design
A preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something;
The design of a building
Design
The creation of something in the mind
Design
Make or work out a plan for; devise;
They contrived to murder their boss
Design a new sales strategy
Plan an attack
Design
Design something for a specific role or purpose or effect;
This room is not designed for work
Design
Create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner;
Chanel designed the famous suit
Design
Make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form;
Design a better mousetrap
Plan the new wing of the museum
Design
Create designs;
Dupont designs for the house of Chanel
Design
Conceive or fashion in the mind; invent;
She designed a good excuse for not attending classes that day
Design
Intend or have as a purpose;
She designed to go far in the world of business
Design
A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function.
The architect's design for the new museum was innovative and sustainable.
Design
An arrangement of lines or shapes created to form a pattern.
The design on the pottery was intricate and unique.
Design
The purpose, planning, or intention behind an action.
The design of the study was to investigate the effects of sunlight on mood.
Common Curiosities
What is a designated area?
It's an area officially assigned for a specific purpose.
Why is design important in products?
It determines the product's functionality, usability, and aesthetic appeal.
What does it mean to design something?
It means to create a plan or concept for the construction or creation of an object or system.
Can design be both a noun and a verb?
Yes, it can refer to the plan itself or the act of creating the plan.
Is design subjective?
Yes, design can be subjective as it often involves personal taste and creativity.
What is a designated driver?
It's a person chosen to abstain from alcohol in order to drive others safely.
Can design impact user experience?
Absolutely, good design enhances user satisfaction by improving usability and accessibility.
What does it mean when a person is designated for a task?
It means they've been officially assigned to carry out that task.
How does one become a good designer?
Through education, practice, and a deep understanding of the principles of design.
Are designated hitters only used in baseball?
Yes, it's a role specific to baseball where a player is designated to bat in place of the pitcher.
How does something become designated?
Through an official or formal decision or naming process.
Does design always require creativity?
While creativity is a key aspect, design also requires technical and analytical skills.
What does "designated for assignment" mean in sports?
It means a player is removed from the team's roster to make space for another player.
Can a place be designated for multiple uses?
Yes, a place can have multiple designations if the uses are compatible.
Can something be poorly designed but well designated?
Yes, the design process and the designation are independent; one can be executed well while the other poorly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
