Design vs. Redesign — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Design involves creating a new product or concept from scratch, focusing on innovation and originality; redesign modifies an existing product or concept to improve functionality or aesthetics.
Difference Between Design and Redesign
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Design is the process of developing a new product, service, or system, focusing on functionality, aesthetics, and user experience from the ground up. Redesign, on the other hand, involves revising or improving an already existing design, which may entail enhancing usability, updating styles, or implementing new technologies.
While design often starts with a blank slate, taking into account market needs, user requirements, and innovative solutions, redesign works within the constraints of the existing framework. This often means that redesign is about evolution rather than revolution, refining rather than reinventing.
Design requires extensive research and creativity to break new ground and establish unique products or concepts. Redesign, whereas, typically focuses on the iterative process, where the existing product's feedback and performance drive changes and improvements.
On one hand, the design phase is crucial for setting the fundamental usability and appeal of a product or service, defining how it interacts with its users. The redesign process, in contrast, is an opportunity to correct flaws, address new user needs, and integrate more current technologies or trends into the established product.
Design can be more risky and resource-intensive as it ventures into untested territory. Conversely, redesign is generally considered less risky since it builds on a known entity and often aims to enhance what already works or rectify what does not.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Innovation, creation
Improvement, modification
Starting Point
Blank slate
Existing product or concept
Goal
To meet initial user needs
To enhance or update
Risk
Higher (unknown variables)
Lower (based on known factors)
Process
Often linear (concept to creation)
Iterative (feedback to improvement)
Compare with Definitions
Design
The strategic approach behind a system or policy.
The design of the new tax laws was meant to simplify filing for individuals.
Redesign
To draw or plan something again or differently.
The company decided to redesign its logo to reflect its new values.
Design
The art or action of conceiving of and producing a plan or drawing of something before it is made.
The design of the new building emphasizes sustainability.
Redesign
The act of improving an existing design of a product or system.
The smartphone was redesigned to include more battery life.
Design
The creation of something with aesthetic and functional intentions.
He has a knack for the design of user-friendly software interfaces.
Redesign
A detailed alteration of existing plans, focusing on improvement.
The website's redesign made it much more accessible to users with disabilities.
Design
An arrangement or pattern of elements intended to perform a particular function.
The ergonomic design of the chair supports long hours of sitting.
Redesign
Updating or modifying an object or system to suit new conditions or technologies.
The software was redesigned to improve its security features in response to new threats.
Design
The overall schematic or style of a particular object.
The car's sleek design makes it attractive to young buyers.
Redesign
The process of making changes to the physical appearance or function of a product.
They're planning a major redesign of the shopping mall to attract more visitors.
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.
Redesign
To make a revision in the appearance or function of.
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
Redesign
A plan for making changes to the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system so as to better serve the purpose of the original design, or to serve purposes different from those set forth in the original design.
Design
A decorative pattern
Pottery with a lovely blue and white design
Redesign
To lay out or plan a new version of something previously laid out or planned.
Design
Purpose or planning that exists behind an action, fact, or object
The appearance of design in the universe
Redesign
Design anew, make a new design for
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
Design
To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent
Design a good excuse for not attending the conference.
Design
To formulate a plan for; devise
Designed a marketing strategy for the new product.
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.
Design
To create or contrive for a particular purpose or effect
A game designed to appeal to all ages.
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).
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
Common Curiosities
What is the main purpose of design?
The main purpose of design is to create new solutions or products that meet specific needs or solve particular problems.
Can design and redesign occur simultaneously?
Yes, in iterative design processes, elements of design and redesign can occur simultaneously as part of continuous improvement.
What are the risks associated with redesign?
Risks include potentially alienating existing users or failing to adequately address the issues with the original design.
Is redesign always necessary after a design is implemented?
Not always, but it is often required as user needs evolve or new technologies become available.
How does redesign differ from design in terms of goals?
Redesign aims to improve, update, or correct an existing design based on user feedback or new requirements.
What skills are important for successful redesign?
Critical analysis, creativity, user-centered thinking, and a deep understanding of the original design are crucial for successful redesign.
How do companies benefit from redesign?
Companies can enhance product functionality, extend the life of a product, and better meet their customers' evolving needs through redesign.
What tools are commonly used in design and redesign?
Tools such as CAD software, prototyping materials, and user feedback platforms are common in both processes.
How does the complexity of redesign compare to design?
Redesign can be complex as it must consider existing constraints and integrate improvements without disrupting what already works.
What are common triggers for a redesign?
Common triggers include user feedback, market changes, technology advancements, and shifts in consumer preferences.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
