A Design is a Design is a Design is a ... 

1 : a mental project or scheme in which means to an end are laid down
2 a : a particular purpose held in view by an individual or group <he has ambitious designs for his son> b : deliberate purposive planning <more by accident than design>
3 a : a deliberate undercover project or scheme : PLOT b plural : aggressive or evil intent -- used with on or against <he has designs on the money>
4 : a preliminary sketch or outline showing the main features of something to be executed : DELINEATION
5 a : an underlying scheme that governs functioning, developing, or unfolding : PATTERN, MOTIF <the general design of the epic> b : a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something (as a scientific experiment); also : the process of preparing this
6 : the arrangement of elements or details in a product or work of art
7 : a decorative pattern
8 : the creative art of executing aesthetic or functional designs
synonym see INTENTION, PLAN