Webster's Dictionary defines design as:
verb:
1. to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of: to design a new bridge.
2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.
3. to intend for a definite purpose: a scholarship designed for foreign students.
4. to form or conceive in the mind; contrive; plan: The prisoner designed an intricate escape.
5. to assign in thought or intention; purpose: He designed to be a doctor.
6. Obsolete. to mark out, as by a sign; indicate. verb (used without object)
7. to make drawings, preliminary sketches, or plans.
8. to plan and fashion the form and structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc.
9. 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.
10. organization or structure of formal elements in a work of art; composition.
11. the combination of details or features of a picture, building, etc.; the pattern or motif of artistic work: the design on a bracelet.
12. the art of designing: a school of design.
13. a plan or project: a design for a new process.
14. a plot or intrigue, especially an underhand, deceitful, or treacherous one: His political rivals formulated a design to unseat him.
15. designs, a hostile or aggressive project or scheme having evil or selfish motives: He had designs on his partner's stock.
My thoughts on Design:
I personally see design as an expression of one's dreams and passions! Design is an art form and a way to evolve the landscape and the cityscape into one, while evoking a sense of beauty. Design also serves a function of how the end user is to interact in the space. In summer 2011, I had the opportunity to spend six weeks in Italy on an Architecture School Study Abroad Program. This was a deep intuitive study of how culture affects design, and how design effects human kind. City planning comes into effect when developing a design for a building in that the building is expressing the clients overall dream, but at the same time has to make since in its environment.
I'm sure you have driven down the street and seen a different building and thought to yourself, HUH? that doesn't fit in this neighborhood... Sometimes the design doesn't fit, and sometimes it sticks out in a good way.
My life in Design:
I have been intrigued by design, drawings, construction, the end form for years. If you ask my mom, she will say that while all "my friends" were watching cartoons, I would be laying in the living room watching a home remodeling TV show, and sketching out my thoughts on the space at the same time, almost like a competition against the professional designer on TV.
In High School, I managed to get into both Woodshop and Drafting Design classes. With the 1st year of Drafting, I was able to learn the functions and mechanics of AutoCAD. How to draw on a computer, and how to set up scaled presentation boards. In woodshop, I was able to use my knowledge of CAD to develop plans for the different pieces of furniture I was designing and building. The culmination of those courses led me to heading off to Texas Tech to study Architecture. I may not be 100% done with my bachelors degree today, but I am still working on it trying to wrap things up while working as Director of Drafting & Design a large commercial Construction Company. My ultimate dream is to grow my freelance drafting business that I started in 2007 into a full service custom home and light commercial design company that focuses on LEED design practices, Energy efficiency, and home automation. I want to Develop my design to make a statement on the community around me, and be able to leave my mark on the world in a very beneficial fashion! I want to help with the energy crisis, and develop designs that can utilize solar technology and truly feature a home or a business retail space that has no electric operational cost. The sun is providing us with free energy, we just need to harness the power and utilize it!
Guidance:
my entire life growing up, my dad always told me that life was based on the 10 little 2 letter words: "If it is to be, it is up to me!" Thus stating that if anything in life is important, it can be achieved, if and only if you put your mind to it and QUIT MAKING ESCUSES! You get out of life what you put into it! Another blog I read from time to time, "Live Out Loud" (https://liveoutloud.com/your-real-problem-energy-management/) posted an article that really hit home and kind of inspired my decision to write this post today. In life, you have to quit making excuses. You have to take life by the horns and hang on! Life is not "about time management, but about energy management" (Live Out oud). Anyone out there can say "I don't have time to do that" or come up with some kind of copout excuse to avoid getting something done, but ultimately, GOD put us on this earth for a reason! He gave us all the same amount of time in every day...so its all about how we choose to use our time! The other thing my dad ALWAYS repeated to me growing up was "if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his butt every time he hopped". Plain and simple, you need to live in the now, and stop dreaming of the IF and WHEN! I know I personally let myself get worked up about the "When I win the Lottery" or the If this happens, then I can do that...and I am working to change my outlook. Life has to happen, bills have to get paid. It is time for me to take a stand and help develop my future NOW!
Have a Dream?
Hit me up, and lets work together to make your dream a reality! Follow my blog, and keep in touch with my work. I plan to keep track of this site, and make new posts about what I am doing in a day to day pattern from here on out! Do not let the world stop you of your dreams and passions. I know I sure as heck am not going to do so!
I am currently working on developing the Designs for the Brand New H&R Block Tax Professional office in Eagle Lake, Texas...so keep your eyes peeled for those updates to come soon!
