--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Designs are a revelation to me. It's like…" description: "\"Designs are a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape, substance, and life.\" — Geoffrey Beene" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png" --- # Designs are a revelation to me. It's like taking something… ![“Designs are a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape, substance, and life.” quote by Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png) > “Designs are a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape, substance, and life.” [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Design transforms inanimate material into living, functional art, giving it shape and purpose. **In simple terms:** Design breathes life into objects. Key Takeaway Treat design as creation of living form. Themes creativity transformation fashion artistry materiality Mood inspirational artistic Type fashion philosophical When to use this quote - fashion shows - product development - design education - studio practice Key Concepts design thinking aesthetic theory Questions to Reflect On - How does a designer decide when a design feels 'alive'? - What role does functionality play in artistic design? A Different Perspective Material limits may restrict envisioned life‑like qualities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Revelations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelations/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) ## Related quotes > [Designis a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape, substance, and life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/designis-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like-taking-something-that-is-not/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [I like form and shape and strength in pictures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-ritts/i-like-form-and-shape-and-strength-in-pictures/) [Herb Ritts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-ritts/) > [Having children was a revelation - it's like going through a doorway, and everything is different forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lincoln/having-children-was-a-revelation-it-s-like-going-through-a-doorway/) [Andrew Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lincoln/) > [Form is the shape of content...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shahn/form-is-the-shape-of-content/) [Ben Shahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shahn/) > [Yeah, we pretty much had a form and a shape by that time - a style - and I think one of the advantages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/yeah-we-pretty-much-had-a-form-and-a-shape-by-that-time-a-style-and-i/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [Nine out of nine architects start with a sketch, and then they say, 'What should we make it out of?' I start from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marino/nine-out-of-nine-architects-start-with-a-sketch-and-then-they-say/) [Peter Marino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marino/) > [I'm interested in form, in the shape of things. And in commitment to the degree of never letting go the quest for the meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luca-guadagnino/i-m-interested-in-form-in-the-shape-of-things-and-in-commitment-to/) [Luca Guadagnino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luca-guadagnino/) > [The designs were based on quite a lot of research of what a movie musical is, filtered through the eyes of today. If we'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-atwood/the-designs-were-based-on-quite-a-lot-of-research-of-what-a-movie/) [Colleen Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-atwood/) > [Programmers and marketing people know how to get into your subconscious - they spend millions of dollars researching colors, shapes, designs, symbols, that affect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hatch/programmers-and-marketing-people-know-how-to-get-into-your/) [Richard Hatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hatch/) > [I founded Minted in 2007 with the desire to use 'crowd-sourcing' to bring designs from the best emerging and independent designers in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariam-naficy/i-founded-minted-in-2007-with-the-desire-to-use-crowd-sourcing-to/) [Mariam Naficy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariam-naficy/) > [Leon Theremin's original designs are elegant, ingenious and effective. As electronics goes, the theremin is very simple. But there are so many subtleties hidden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-moog/leon-theremin-s-original-designs-are-elegant-ingenious-and-effective/) [Robert Moog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-moog/) > [My designs and labors and aspirations are my only friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/my-designs-and-labors-and-aspirations-are-my-only-friends/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [While fractal geometry is often used in high-tech science, its patterns are surprisingly common in traditional African designs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-eglash/while-fractal-geometry-is-often-used-in-high-tech-science-its/) [Ron Eglash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-eglash/) > [Prayer is a specific divine appointment, an ordinance of Heaven, whereby God purposes to carry out His gracious designs on earth and to execute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-is-a-specific-divine-appointment-an-ordinance-of-heaven/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/let-us-understand-what-our-own-selfish-genes-are-up-to-because-we-may/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## More by Geoffrey Beene > [I tell women not to believe everything they read about fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/i-tell-women-not-to-believe-everything-they-read-about-fashion/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [Clothes should look as if a woman was born into them. It is a form of possession, this belonging to one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/clothes-should-look-as-if-a-woman-was-born-into-them-it-is-a-form-of/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [Clothes should be as interesting on the inside as on the outside. Even if you enjoy it totally alone, it's important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/clothes-should-be-as-interesting-on-the-inside-as-on-the-outside-even/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [Design is an unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/design-is-an-unknown/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [I come in. I'm going to sketch, I'm going to drape, I don't know what I'm going to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/i-come-in-i-m-going-to-sketch-i-m-going-to-drape-i-don-t-know-what-i/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [Fashion is in a terrible state. An overdose of too much flesh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/fashion-is-in-a-terrible-state-an-overdose-of-too-much-flesh/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [I hate clothes that look saleable. I love when they look desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/i-hate-clothes-that-look-saleable-i-love-when-they-look-desirable/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [I gave up medicine. So I'll give up fashion. . . I could be a colorist of spaceships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/i-gave-up-medicine-so-i-ll-give-up-fashion-i-could-be-a-colorist-of/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [The greatest concubines in history knew that everything revealed with nothing concealed is a bore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/the-greatest-concubines-in-history-knew-that-everything-revealed-with/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [The whole point of design is to make people feel better about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/the-whole-point-of-design-is-to-make-people-feel-better-about/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [The unimaginable always becomes the unforgettable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/the-unimaginable-always-becomes-the-unforgettable/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [A woman should be less concerned about Paris and more concerned about whether the dress she's about to buy relates to the way she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/a-woman-should-be-less-concerned-about-paris-and-more-concerned-about/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [The influence of Paris, for instance, is now minimal. Yet a lot is written about Paris fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/the-influence-of-paris-for-instance-is-now-minimal-yet-a-lot-is/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [Designis a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape, substance, and life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/designis-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like-taking-something-that-is-not/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) > [When I don't have any ideas, I pick up fabric and start working with it and something happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/when-i-don-t-have-any-ideas-i-pick-up-fabric-and-start-working-with/) [Geoffrey Beene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) [Explore all 17 Geoffrey Beene quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Designs are a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape, substance, and life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Geoffrey Beene" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like-taking-something-that-is-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like-taking-something-that-is-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/973/geoffrey-beene-30450_alive_designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like_995090.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Designs are a revelation to me. It's like taking something that is not alive and giving it form, shape…” — Geoffrey Beene", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Geoffrey Beene", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-beene/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Designs are a revelation to me....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like-taking-something-that-is-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-beene/designs-are-a-revelation-to-me-it-s-like-taking-something-that-is-not/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```