Introduction

 

The Design Archetype 

The Design Archetype plays a pivotal role in guiding us through our personal hero’s journey. Each life experience presents a story, one that we interpret and uncover through our own lens, revealing deeper meanings about ourselves. This archetype encompasses every personal narrative we create as we navigate the world, shaping our understanding of reality, consciousness, and the collective growth we share. Through our individual perspective, we become the central character in the unfolding of ouy own story, subconsciously constructing our own personal patterns within a framework of meaning and purpose, 

The Design Archetype, as a universal principle, is the underlying force by which all archetypes are made manifest. It can be seen as a vast reservoir of concepts, ideas, and patterns shared by all of us, perpetually resonating, adapting, and evolving over time. Each of these elements carries its own significance, purpose and value, constantly transforming by means of our own awareness. 

The Design Archetype forms the invisible and universal connection between the tangible and intangible, and by helping us weave the threads of our own consciousness. It serves as a guiding force through periods of change by using a symbolic language we’ve individually created and developed for ourselves. Through design, we uncover not only the meaning and purpose of our existence, but also a deeper sense of self both individually and collectively. 

What is Design? 

At first glance, the question "What is design?" might seem straightforward. Most people believe they know what design is, while many find it challenging to articulate. We typically rely on our personal experiences, drawing from it tangible examples of design in order to better understand it. These examples are unique and support you in forming a specific understanding of what design is, or might be. By reflecting upon past experiences, we recall instances where we thought we “designed” something. This reveals the notion that design is not merely about visual aesthetics, but also about a deeply held personal and creative process. A creative process that often meant a lot to you.

Design in its broadest sense, connects a variety of  creative activity and ideas, each aligned toward achieving a specific task or objective. These actions are typically driven by a preconceived vision or idea of what we want to create. Design then is not just about an outcome, but a process by which we create and make manifest our dreams. Design naturally releases a large range of variables to preview i.e. elements meant to form something physically, mentally or emotionally.

Every day we navigate the world merely by responding to it. Our reactions, consciously and/or subconsciously, reshape our understanding of reality ... a space and time always changing. Through experience we learn to interpret and react to in a countless number of ways. 

The term “design” comes from Latin for signum, meaning "the action of making a mark or sign." In essence, design is the process of creating and interpreting symbols, which is an activity deeply embedded in our subconscious and unconscious mind. Our perception of "reality" is inherently symbolic. What we create and how we perceive it are products of commonly shared "conscious awareness", i.e.  Oneness. 




What we design and create are symbolic in nature. The world we craft for ourselves is a constructed and self-contained reality shaped by symbols and a language we imagine, define, describe, perceive and observe as our own. This symbolic characterization extends into and beyond everything we know, feel, and believe. 

When we encounter our world and vision of reality, we instinctively seek its' meaning. Each design carries with it a multitude of interpretations, each of which are made real by who is observing it. Through design and multidimensional thinking we can transcend the boundaries of our own creation, expanding our ability and capacity to imagine and learning how to expand beyond the constraints we purposely impose upon ourselves. 

Design sometimes emerges as an intuitive impulse, deeply rooted in a patterned set of behaviors that greatly influence how we personally engage with the world. Carl Jung posited that humans are genetically encoded with archetypal symbols that emerge in our consciousness. These symbols provide a collective wisdom, helping us navigate the challenges of life. 

Design operates as the conduit between lesser patterns by facilitating, i.e. channeling, light, energy and information through creative expression. The design process also acts as an agency between the tangible and intangible. By engaging in the act of symbol-making, we harmonize and bring balance to our conscious and unconscious by means of our subconscious, as well as our subjective and objective perceptions of reality.
 




The act of symbol making by means of design bridges seemingly opposing qualities. Design seeks balance by forging connections between disparate elements in order to create something meaningful. It enables us to align elements of life that might initially appear incompatible by reflecting upon the dynamic interplay of diverse forces. The conscious act of designing is a tool we use to navigate and make sense of our world ... connecting us to both the material and symbolic realms. 

The Tao, an ancient philosophy, is often described as being beyond human comprehension. It is vast, nameless, formless, and unpredictable, yet is richly expressed through the many patterns found in nature. The Tao encompasses all existence. All things are viewed to be an integral part of this larger cosmic order. Taoism teaches that all things are alive and when true harmony contribute to the unfolding of the Tao. 

To speak of the Tao is to acknowledge this vast, mysterious force. Much like the Tao, design has its own transcendental qualities, enabling us to move beyond rational constraints while still remaining grounded in a practical and pragmatic world. Design helps us tune ourselves to the harmonies of the universe by actively participating in the orchestration of our personal being. 

In Taoist thought, the image of a person walking down a long path represents the journey of life. The Tao is the path itself, suggesting that life is a process of continuous learning, self-cultivation and ultimately, a oneness with the Tao. Similarly, design is a process that allows us to harmonize our experiences, intellect, and spirit. When we align ourselves with this greater Design Archetype we achieve balance and unity within the universe. This harmony is symbolically and metaphorically addressed through the things we create, the thoughts we entertain, and the actions we take. 

In its essence, design is a tool for revealing the deeper meaning and purpose embedded in the forms and actions that we create an accompany us on our journey. It allows us to engage both mind, heart and spirit in ways that are tuned to our spiritual essence. While the Tao defies description, it can still be expressed through the symbols we create and the lives we lead. In this way, design serves as a conduit for expressing the mysteries of the Tao, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. 

About the Design Archetype

The Design Archetype reveals the process of design as a deeply hidden undercurrent we experience as change (transition, translation and transformation) veiled in all that we sense and observe. These changes express themselves in small, microcosmic and subtle ways. Over time they join together to create larger networks of energy in motion (EIM). These networks of change will continue to grow as long as we attend to, nurture, promote and exercise them by means of our focus and attention.  

Each poem and story will harbors its' own unique set of symbols, circumstances, observations, response, inputs, outputs, impressions and feelings. Some stories appear to be strikingly similar. Each story a snowflake harbors its' own set and series of patterns and metaphors. Observe, embrace and listen very closely ... each story is calling out to you in their own special way.

Design is veiled within every nuance and event that emerges. We all participate in the search for meaning and purpose. We are all creators walking a path of our own design. 

The Design Archetype is based upon an infinite number of multidimensional impressions and overlapping fields of energy in motion. Each relative focus harbors the potential of generating a limitless number of links between them. Each correspondence is likened to a twisted, i.e. entangled, multifilament fiber composed of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual filaments. Each filament is composed of an array of vibrational frequencies within an allotted band (spectrum) of observation. 

The concept of change emerges due to the relationship of the contextual framework in which these correspondences emerge in reference to an observer ... which is you. Change enters and exists the framework of 3D spacetime, emerging in and out of form and formlessness. Change has a metaphysical property conducive to a vibrating particle that, at times and under certain circumstances will appear as a wave. A phenomenon that cannot be measured because the "rules" are never the same.

Blog Methodology: 

Each post begins with an original passage, followed by an AI-assisted poem and first story, all based upon my original text. The second story is derived from the poem. AI is generated and sourced by ChatGPT *. Each image is created in reference to the works of various artists and photographers whose sources, credits, and contact information are provided further in this introduction. The images are rendered in my own personal style of using points, lines, shapes, and patterns all carefully combined to convey and highlight my own feelings that surround every story. 


* The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.

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"What is design?
   I ask ... what isn't?"

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Other References/Links

Other Blogs by C.G. Garant

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Image References:

Hieroglyphic Luvian Stele from Carchemish (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford) https://ancientworldblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/luvian-luwian-viz-hieroglyphic-hittite.html 

Russian Jack
Photo, courtesy of the Palmerston City Library, New Zealand: A175/307 
 
JIUFOTK Hobo Symbols 

Credits #1 
Sculpture 
by Kuno Vollet - Intertwined
Kalash Herb Healer 

Credits #2 
Leaf on Water 

Credits #3 
Well? 
(Young Woman) 
Unfinished portrait 
By Manuel San-Payo 

Credits #4 
(Tapestry) Jute Woven Tapestry 
17th Century Charles II Carved Armchair/ 

Credits #5
Terrible Tornado
Tammy Ishmael-Reeves Morris https://www.pinterest.com/tammy1x/

Credits #6 
Old Men’s Toy Shop Album – Old Man Doing Woodwork

Credits #7 
Line creating Circle 
Original Light burst 

Credits: #8


Credits: #9 
Ch’an Master Xu Yun 

Credits: #10 

Credits: #11 
Last Flight of the Year 
Birds in Flight 
Norhan: Instagram.com/_n_o_r_h_a_n_/ …. norhadelhadry474 

Credits: #12 
Old Wise Tree 
Forest Fountain 

Credits: #13 
Hand Carved Wooden Bowl 

Elderly man and woman 

Credits #14 
Weaving 
John Muir at Merced River 
University of the Pacific/University Libraries https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmp/237/ 

Credits: #15 
Pondering Old Woman 
Old Roses 

Credits: #16 
Woman in window 
Flowers in Meadow 

Credits #17 
Quilt 
Conclave 
Sphere 
Stone Granite Garden Sphere Chairish, 

Credits #18 
Stone Circle 
Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources 
Campfire 
Petroglyphs 
Jeff Springer 

Credits #19 
Arch 
“Archway, Arches, Abbey, Yorkshire, Dales, Jervaulx, … 
Weaver 
Tejedora Sillustani-Peru- Photo by Carlos Cerulla on flikr 

Credits #20 
Portrait of a Jain Monk in Meditation in Palitana, India - 1928 
Old Indian Photos, Historical Photographs of Indian Subcontinent 
Antique Chinese han era pottery vessels (202 bce – 22… 

Credits #21 
Rock in clearing 
Seismic Ghost 
Winter and the Green 

Credits #22 
Clouds 
Young Girl 

Credits #23 
Dwelling in the woods 

Credits #24 
Farmer 
Presbyterian Archives Research Centre MLS-5-J-006 https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcanzarchives/ 

Credits #25 
Martial Artist 
Geisha – Japan 


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Bridging the gap between divine omniscience
and mortal awareness.

Edited: 09.27.2025
Find your truth. Know your mind. Follow your heart. Love eternal will not be denied. Discernment is an integral part of self-mastery. You may share this post on a non-commercial basis, the author and URL to be included. Please note … posts are continually being edited. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 C.G. Garant.

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