A knack for design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A knack for design" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a natural talent or skill in design-related activities. Example: "She has a knack for design, which is evident in her beautifully crafted website."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But he soon discovered he had a knack for design.

Princeton University

Mr. Jah, the most seasoned principal, said Mr. Sartiano excels at finance, Mr. Akiva has a knack for design and Mr. Madra is the music man.

The New York Times

Only judgment by the users will be able to show whether 500px has gotten this right, but the company seems to have a knack for design and interface, and clearly cares a lot about image quality.

TechCrunch

And my brother happened to have a knack for design and I kind of had a bit of a knack for engineering and learning quickly to pull things together.

TechCrunch

Regardless of the financial origins of Mamani's New Andean architecture, the man definitely has a knack for design.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The guy has a knack for designing complex systems in ways that are accessible".

The New York Times - Tech

With products like the Walkman and the compact disk, Sony has shown a knack for designing irresistible products.

The New York Times

Quite the contrary, they were out hunting for talented young engineers with a knack for designing turbines and the like for this city's growing aerospace industry.

The New York Times

Mr. Shalouf, his family insisted, was an illiterate fisherman with a knack for designing kites when he was arrested at 19 by Gaza's internal security service.

The New York Times

With a deep understanding of poverty and a knack for designing with limited resources, Wilio was the perfect candidate for the International Development Design Summit (IDDS): an intense, hands-on design experience organized by the USAID-funded International Development Innovation Network and hosted by MIT D-Lab.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Japan's Olympus, for example, has unveiled its own digital goggles and Apple, which has a knack for designing stylish gadgets, has filed several patents that suggest it may be toying with the idea of an iGlass.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inherent talent for design, use "A knack for design" to convey a sense of natural aptitude and ease. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a knack for design" when referring to skills acquired through extensive training or practice. "Knack" implies a natural, almost intuitive ability, not something solely developed through effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a knack for design" functions as a noun phrase, describing a natural or innate ability or talent specifically related to the field of design. It essentially attributes a particular skill or aptitude to an individual or entity, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a knack for design" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone's natural talent in the realm of design. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse sources, primarily news and media, as well as academic publications. Alternative phrases like "a talent for design" or "a flair for design" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using this phrase, remember that "knack" implies a natural aptitude, distinct from skills solely acquired through training.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A talent for design

Replaces "knack" with "talent", emphasizing inherent ability rather than a learned skill. The term "talent" can suggest a more innate gift.

An aptitude for design

Substitutes "knack" with "aptitude", highlighting a natural inclination and potential for excelling in design.

A flair for design

Replaces "knack" with "flair", emphasizing a distinctive and stylish approach to design.

A gift for design

Replaces "knack" with "gift", suggesting a natural, inherent ability in design, something almost effortless.

A natural eye for design

Replaces "knack" with "natural eye", focusing on innate visual perception and understanding of design principles.

An instinct for design

Replaces "knack" with "instinct", highlighting an intuitive understanding and feeling for design.

A proclivity for design

Uses "proclivity" instead of "knack", indicating a strong inclination or tendency towards design.

A natural facility for design

Substitutes "knack" with "natural facility", emphasizing ease and competence in handling design-related tasks.

A competence in design

Uses "competence" instead of "knack", stressing proficient skill and capability in design.

A bent for design

Replaces "knack" with "bent", indicating a natural inclination or predisposition towards design.

FAQs

How can I use "a knack for design" in a sentence?

You can use "a knack for design" to describe someone who has a natural talent or skill in design-related activities. For example: "She has "a knack for design", which is evident in her beautifully crafted website."

What's the difference between "a talent for design" and "a knack for design"?

"Talent" implies a more innate and exceptional ability, whereas ""a knack for design"" suggests a natural aptitude and ease in handling design tasks.

What can I say instead of "a knack for design"?

You can use alternatives like "a talent for design", "an aptitude for design", or "a flair for design" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a knack for designing" grammatically correct?

Yes, while ""a knack for design"" is more common, "a knack for designing" is also grammatically correct. It emphasizes the action of designing rather than the general concept of design.