design principle

USAGE SUMMARY

"design principle" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a set of design goals that serve as a guide for creating something, such as a product, system, or architecture. For example, "The team developed a design principle to ensure that the product was easy to use and accessible to all users."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This, he says, has remained Apple's core design principle.

The Guardian - Tech

"The primary design principle underlying the web's usefulness and growth is universality.

The Guardian - Tech

His design principle was a "democratisation" of goods and beauty, to make them accessible for everyone.

Independent

"The design principle allows customers and technicians to service the headlamp assembly easily," Porsche said.

The New York Times

Because of the huge costs involved, conservation is an essential design principle when developing any water park.

The Guardian

It's called skeuomorphism, a design principle which dictates that a new object incorporates something of the old.

The Guardian

Gerritsen describes the design principle simply: "What is straight should be curved, what is curved should be straight".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Selvage" may provide a figure for Picardie's design principle; the word itself suggests her fascination with salvage and selves.

The New York Times - Books

The design principle behind The Square Kilometre Array, the world's most powerful radio telescope, is that size matters.

The Guardian

The design principle applied in linear accelerators for protons was originated by Luis Alvarez at Berkeley in 1946.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Design principle 2 (revised): Topics before tools.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "design principle", clearly articulate how it influences decision-making and problem-solving within the design process.

Common error

Don't simply state a "design principle" exists; explain its specific characteristics and practical implications to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "design principle" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, identifying a foundational concept or guideline used in the design process. Ludwig AI examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "design principle" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a fundamental concept guiding a design process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in diverse fields like science, news, and business. The phrase's purpose is to define and emphasize core concepts behind design choices. While generally formal, its versatility makes it applicable across various registers. When using the phrase, it's crucial to articulate the specific characteristics and implications of the principle to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "guiding idea" or "core philosophy" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

design philosophy

Focuses more broadly on the overall approach to design, rather than a specific principle.

guiding idea

This alternative highlights the role of the principle as a source of inspiration and direction in the design process.

fundamental rule

This focuses on the prescriptive aspect, presenting the principle as a mandatory guideline to be followed.

basic concept

This alternative refers to the fundamental idea or notion underlying a design, focusing on the foundational aspect rather than the guiding rule.

key consideration

This presents the principle as an important factor that needs to be taken into account during the design process, emphasizing its significance.

underlying strategy

This emphasizes the strategic aspect of the principle, highlighting its role in achieving a particular goal or outcome.

core philosophy

This emphasizes the underlying belief system that guides the design process, highlighting the values and attitudes that inform the design.

central tenet

This term evokes a sense of doctrine and fundamental belief, often used in more formal or philosophical contexts.

primary objective

This shifts the focus to the main goal or aim that the design is intended to achieve, presenting the principle as a target to be pursued.

design approach

This term refers to a method or strategy for designing something, encompassing a broader range of considerations than a single principle.

FAQs

How to use "design principle" in a sentence?

You can use "design principle" to describe a fundamental concept that guides the creation of a product, system, or service. For example, "Usability was a key "design principle" in developing the software interface."

What are some synonyms for "design principle"?

Alternatives to "design principle" include "core philosophy", "guiding idea", or "fundamental rule", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "design principle" and "design philosophy"?

"Design principle" refers to a specific guideline or concept that informs a design, while "design philosophy" encompasses a broader, overarching approach to design, reflecting values and beliefs.

Why is understanding the "design principle" important?

Understanding the "design principle" ensures that the design process is focused, consistent, and aligned with the intended goals and user needs, leading to a more effective and user-friendly outcome.