The Design Encyclopedia is a user-built source of reference material with the sole intention of defining, describing, chronicling and documenting the world through design in all its implications and manifestations – from the visual to the tactile, from the communicative to the evocative, from the cultural to the commercial. Most everything – from cars to burgers to movies – can be dissected by its design application, use and history.

With each entry the design encyclopedia will place common topics, artifacts, events, cities and more within the scope and context of design in order to showcase the influence that design, designers and the designed have in shaping the environments that we inhabit, the tools that we employ and, even, the experiences that we live.

By funneling available information on the web, on newspapers, in books, on television, anywhere, through contributions from its users and editors, the design encyclopedia’s growth and depth proves potentially rich and unlimited.

The design encyclopedia will place emphasis on the designed, veering its definitions towards an inclusive and broad scope beyond designers. There will be an entry for Saul Bass – a legend among designers – but there will also be entries where his work can be seen, like United Airlines, Psycho, AT&T, YWCA, United Way, Girl Scouts of America.

The design encyclopedia is about design. About the world.

1. The design encyclopedia is a public environment, please be mindful and respectful of those who spend time contributing to its growth and of those devoted to its development.

2. The design encyclopedia is not about opinions or subjectivity. Facts and information are the standard.

3. The design encyclopedia lends itself to a number of product entries; we welcome every single company or service to add their offering’s description but we severely frown upon any attempts at promotions or blatant advertising.

4. Ultimately, the editors of the design encyclopedia can delete anything they deem inappropriate.

Thank you for your support and collaboration.