Design is creating something that effectively solves a problem in a specific situation.

That’s not how most think of design though. People generally associate it with visual aesthetics or how something looks. For some there’s an aura of mysticism around it, as if it's an elusive art form that only a few can master. This narrow view of design misses how universal the core principles are.

There are a lot of design sub-disciplines. But if you think about big picture “Design”, it’s really about making it so something solves a problem well. In this way, design encompasses basically anything you do that provides value to others. A well-designed experience solves a problem and makes people feel delighted in the process.

Everything you do can benefit from understanding the fundamentals of design.