A-Z Popular Blog Design Search »
Design
 Advertisements
Related Guides
Design Theory
top   »  design   »  design theory

68 Useful Design Theories

 , March 17, 2020
Design theory is any first principle, concept or technique that is useful for design and solving problems with design thinking. Design theories are often aligned to a style or philosophy such as minimalism, modernism, postmodernism or new complexity. It is also common for a theory to be a generally applicable technique, process or consideration. The following design theories are selected as being potentially useful and nonobvious.
Accidental Complexity
Asymmetrical Balance
Attractiveness Principle
Backward Invention
Ban The Average
Calm Technology
Cascading Failure
Charrette
Choice Architecture
Complexity Hiding
Deconstruction
Defensive Design
Design Fiction
Design Meaning
Design Styles
Design To The Edges
Desire Path
Dominance
Edge Case
Emergence
Ephemera Design
Essential Complexity
Evolutionary Prototype
Fail Often
Feature Fatigue
First Principles
Fit For Purpose
Form Follows Function
Genius Loci
Gesamtkunstwerk
Human Factors
Human Scale
Iki
Immersive Design
Information Scent
Inventive Step
Keep It Small
Less Is A Bore
Less Is More
Modeless Design
Modernism
Modularity
More Is Different
More Is More
Naive Design
Negative Space
New Complexity
Nudge Theory
Overchoice
Parallel Design
Passive Design
Path Of Least Resistance
Pokayoke
Positive Space
Postmodernism
Preserving Ambiguity
Principle Of Least Astonishment
Principle Of Least Effort
Silent Design
Speculative Design
Sum Of Parts
System Of Systems
There's More Than One Way To Do It
Throwaway Prototype
Transition Design
Unintended Consequences
Value Sensitive Design
Worse Is Better
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
 
Cite »

Design

A comprehensive guide to design.

Design Strategy

The definition of design strategy with examples.

Artist

A list of professions and creative pursuits that are considered art.

Structure

The definition of structure with examples.

Art Examples

An overview of art with examples of different styles.

Design Examples

The common types of design.

Blue Palette

A palette of well-known blue colors.

Creative Hobbies

A list of creative hobbies.

Design Thinking

A list of design thinking techniques with examples.

Abstract Concept

The definition of abstract concept with examples.

Path Of Least Resistance

The definition of the path of least resistance with examples.

Modernism

The defining characteristics of modernism.

Simple Machines

An overview of the six simple machines of mechanical engineering.

Thinking Examples

Examples of different types of thinking.

Keep It Small

The definition of keep it small with examples.

Structure Opposite

A list of antonyms of structure.

Life Design

The definition of life design with examples.

Trending

The most popular articles on Simplicable in the past day.

New Articles

Recent posts or updates on Simplicable.
Site Map
Aesthetics
Architecture
Art
Color Theory
Colors
Communication
Creativity
Culture
Customer Experience
Design Thinking
DIY
Gamification
Information Technology
Maker Culture
Market Research
Marketing
Metrics
Planning
Product Development
Productivity
Project Management
Quality
Small Business
More ...
© 2010-2023 Simplicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of materials found on this site, in any form, without explicit permission is prohibited.

View credits & copyrights or citation information for this page.

Home About     Privacy Policy     Cookies Terms of Use     Contact Us Search


Cookies help us deliver our services. You have choices regarding these cookies. Please visit our privacy policy, cookie policy and consent tool to learn more.


Copyright 2002-2023 Simplicable. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or translated. Report violations here.