to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), esp. to plan the form and structure of

to design a new bridge.

to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.

to intend for a definite purpose

a scholarship designed for foreign students.

to form or conceive in the mind; contrive; plan

The prisoner designed an intricate escape.

to assign in thought or intention; purpose

He designed to be a doctor.

Obsolete . to mark out, as by a sign; indicate.

to make drawings, preliminary sketches, or plans.

to plan and fashion the form and structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc.

an outline, sketch, or plan, as of the form and structure of a work of art, an edifice, or a machine to be executed or constructed.

organization or structure of formal elements in a work of art; composition.

the combination of details or features of a picture, building, etc.; the pattern or motif of artistic work

the design on a bracelet.

the art of designing

a school of design.

a plan or project

a design for a new process.

a plot or intrigue, esp. an underhand, deceitful, or treacherous one

His political rivals formulated a design to unseat him.

designs, a hostile or aggressive project or scheme having evil or selfish motives

He had designs on his partner's stock.

intention; purpose; end.

adaptation of means to a preconceived end.

verb

disorder , disorganize

noun

architecture , arrangement , blueprint , chart , comp , composition , conception , constitution , construction , delineation , depiction , diagram , doodle , drawing , dummy , form , formation , idea , layout , makeup , map , method , model , outline , paste-up , pattern , perspective , picture , plan , scheme , study , tracery , tracing , treatment , configuration , device , figure , illustration , motif , motive , organization , painting , portrait , shape , sketch , style , action , aim , angle , animus , big picture * , brainchild , child * , conation , conspiracy , deliberation , end , enterprise , game plan * , gimmick , goal , intendment , intrigue , lay of the land , machination , meaning , notion , object , objective , pitch , play , plot , point , project , proposition , purport , purpose , recipe , reflection , scenario , scene , schema , setup , story , target , thinking , thought , trick , undertaking , view , volition , what’s cooking , will , game plan , strategy , ambition , intent , mark , why , archetype , architectonics , cipher , collage , decoration , draught , emblem , format , intention , monogram , montage , mosaic , mural , prototype , teleology , tooling

verb

accomplish , achieve , arrange , block out , blueprint , cast , chart , construct , contrive , create , delineate , describe , devise , diagram , dope out , draft , draw , effect , execute , fashion , form , frame , fulfill , invent , lay out , perform , produce , project , set out , sketch , sketch out , trace , work out , compose , cook up * , dream up * , fabricate , make up , originate , think up , aim , contemplate , destine , make , mind , plan , prepare , propose , purpose , scheme , tailor , conceive , formulate , lay , strategize , map , mean , target , architecture , decor , device , end , goal , idea , inlay , intend , intent , intention , layout , model , motif , motive , object , outline , pattern , perspective , plot , proposal , scenario , shape , strategy