The Brief Edition consists of three parts. The first two chap-ters establish the role of design from the beginning of time to the contemporary world. Accepting the fact that the world often seems arbitrary and chaotic, designers seek, through personal associations and imagery, a sphere in which they can induce order, a harmony reached through the sensitive application of the elements and prin-ciples of design. As in all editions of Design through Discovery,emphasis is placed on the fact that underneath the seeming dis-order of the universe the elements and principles of design not only exist but have always operated, even when the results may seem catastrophic. As with previous editions, emphasis is placed on the limitless inspiration nature offers the designer.

Preface

Part One Design as Universal Reality

1 The Essence of Design

 The Nature of Design

 Why Create?

The Aesthetic Sense

Creation as the Search for Beauty

The Urge to Shock

The Contemporary View

A Fundamental Need

 Visual Design

The Role of Perception

The Gestalt Principle

Closure

Figure-ground

 Imagery

 Design through Selection

Guides to Selection

Expression of the Material

Form

Fulfillment of Purpose

The Art of Selection

The Element of Time

 Summary

2 The Design Process

 Inspiration

 Concept

Decision Making

 Problem Solving

Definition

Creativity

Analysis

Production

Clarification

 Integrity

Integrity of Materials

Integrity of Form

Integrity of Function

 Originality

 Craftsmanship

Media and Materials

Art and Craft

 Summary

Part Two The Elements of Design

3 Line

 Line as Expression

The Quality of Line

……

4 Space

5 Shape and Form

6 Texture

7 Color

Part Three The Principles of Design

8 Unity and Variety

9 Balance, Rhythm, and Emphasis

10 Proportion and Scale