design around

USAGE SUMMARY

"design around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the context of designing a product, plan, system, or strategy to work around certain constraints or limitations. For example, "We had to design around the size of the room to accommodate all the necessary furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Patent design around is an effective way to walk around competitive patents and avoid patent infringement.

Computer-Aided Design

Which was fun to design around".

Huffington Post

Pick a few key details to center your design around and concentrate on making those really shine.

WikiHow

The law is designed to do what all retailers, and ATM designers, should do as well: Design around the customer.

Forbes

The fact is we need to design around our vulnerabilities.

The Guardian

They vary in design around the world in 26 countries.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But Larami's design-around — putting the water reservoir, or chamber, on top — allowed it to get around the original patent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Offices are designed around tea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

*... unless it's designed around data.

The Guardian

It's designed around empathy and openness.

The Guardian

Designing around the tree would prove difficult.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "design around" when you are actively adapting a plan, product, or system to overcome a specific challenge or limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "design around" when simply describing a general design process without specific constraints. Opt for more general terms like "design" or "develop" in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "design around" functions as a phrasal verb, where "design" is the verb and "around" is the particle. It describes the process of creating a design that is adapted or modified to accommodate specific constraints or limitations. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used for adapting strategies to work around constraints.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

28%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "design around" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the process of adapting a design to accommodate specific limitations or requirements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and utility in various contexts, including technical design, problem-solving and planning. The analysis of usage patterns reveals that "design around" is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When writing, it's best to explicitly state the limitations being addressed and avoid using it in general design contexts. Related phrases, such as "plan around" or "engineer around", offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. In conclusion, "design around" is a versatile phrase useful for clearly communicating adaptation in the design process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plan around

Focuses on the planning aspect of accommodating constraints, rather than the design itself.

engineer around

Emphasizes the engineering solutions needed to overcome limitations in a design.

build around

Highlights the construction or development process adapted to specific parameters.

develop with consideration for

Implies a broader developmental approach taking specific factors into account.

tailor to accommodate

Emphasizes customization to fit specific needs or limitations.

adapt the design

A more general term referring to adjusting a design based on external factors.

modify to allow for

Focuses on altering a design to permit certain conditions or elements.

structure around

Highlights the organizational aspect of basing a design on key elements.

formulate with respect to

Suggests a careful and methodical approach in considering all relevant aspects.

devise in consideration of

Implies a thoughtful creation process acknowledging particular limitations.

FAQs

What does "design around" mean?

The phrase "design around" means to create a design or plan that takes into account specific limitations, obstacles, or requirements. It suggests adapting the design to accommodate these factors.

How can I use "design around" in a sentence?

You might say, "The engineers had to design around the existing infrastructure" or "The curriculum was designed around the students' learning styles."

What are some alternatives to "design around"?

Alternatives include "plan around", "engineer around", or "build around" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "design around" or "designed around"?

"Design around" is the infinitive form, while "designed around" is the past participle used in passive constructions. For example: "They will design around the problem" vs "The system was designed around the problem."