design for

USAGE SUMMARY

"design for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing the purpose of designing a product or process, such as "We are designing for performance and efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amateur designers design for themselves.

Harvard Business Review

The design, for a start.

Independent

"I design for real people.

The Economist

Design for quality includes design for communication.

Harvard Business Review

Design for production.

The Guardian

Design for habit.

Harvard Business Review

A design for life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Professionals design for personas.

Harvard Business Review

Design for the user.

Harvard Business Review

I design for her; I adore her.

The New York Times

There is one design for X.O.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "design for", clearly specify the target audience or purpose. For example, "design for mobile devices" is more specific than just "design".

Common error

Avoid using "design for" without a clear object. Saying simply "we design for quality" is vague. Instead, specify: "We design our products for long-term quality and durability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "design for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate the intended purpose, target, or recipient of a design. As shown by Ludwig, it specifies who or what a design is intended to serve or accommodate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "design for" is a versatile prepositional phrase widely used to specify the intended purpose, target, or beneficiary of a design. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, including news and media, academia, and science. While it is suitable for both formal and informal settings, clear specification of the target audience or purpose enhances its effectiveness. Common errors include overgeneralization, which can be avoided by clearly defining the object of the design. Related phrases such as "plan for", "create for", and "develop for" offer alternative ways to express the design's intent. Overall, understanding the function and proper usage of "design for" is crucial for clear and effective communication in design-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plan for

Focuses on the planning aspect rather than the design itself.

create for

Emphasizes the act of creation with a specific purpose in mind.

develop for

Highlights the development process of a design.

engineer for

Specifically relates to the engineering aspect of design.

build for

Implies the construction or building aspect of design.

tailor for

Focuses on customizing the design to specific needs.

structure for

Highlights the organization and framework of a design.

arrange for

Emphasizes the arrangement and layout of design elements.

formulate for

Relates to the process of creating a detailed plan or design.

devise for

Focuses on inventing or creating something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "design for" to indicate the intended purpose or target of a design, such as "This app is "designed for accessibility"" or "We "design for sustainability"".

What are some alternatives to using "design for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "create for", "develop for", or "engineer for" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean to "design for" a specific purpose?

To "design for" a specific purpose means to create a design with that purpose in mind, considering all the requirements and constraints that come with it. For instance, to "design for the user" is to make the design user-friendly.

Is "design for" formal or informal?

The phrase "design for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the overall tone of your writing will depend on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.