Action Quote by Herbert Simon
“Engineers are not the only professional designers. Everyone designs who devises courses of action aimed at changing existing situations into preferred ones. The intellectual activity that produces material artefacts is no different fundamentally from the one that prescribes remedies for a sick patient or the one that devises a new sales plan for a company or a social welfare policy for a state.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sciences, Herbert Simon, 1969
Design is a universal activity; anyone who plans to change a situation is a designer, not just engineers.
In simple terms: Everyone who plans change is a designer.
Key Takeaway
Recognize design in all problem‑solving.
Themes
design
problem solving
interdisciplinary
creativity
innovation
Mood
thoughtful
inspired
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- product development
- healthcare treatment planning
- business strategy
- public policy
- education curriculum design
Key Concepts
systems thinking
human‑centered design
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you apply design thinking outside your field?
- What barriers prevent non‑engineers from being seen as designers?
A Different Perspective
Design expertise varies; not all designers have technical training.
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