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 perspectives, we become the central character in our own unfolding story, by subconsciously constructing within the framework of meaning and purpose we exercise when delving into the depths of our psyche. 

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

The Design Archetype forms the invisible and universal connections between the tangible and intangible, helping us weave the threads of our own consciousness. It serves as a guiding force through periods of change, using a symbolic language we’ve individually 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, yet many find it challenging to articulate. Often, we rely on our personal experiences, drawing from tangible examples of design, to understand it. These examples may seem unique or interesting, helping us form a visual conception of what design entails. In reflecting on our past experiences, we may recall instances where we “designed” something ourselves. This exploration reveals that design is not merely about visual aesthetics, but rather about a process—a deeply personal and creative journey through which we attempt to create meaning. 

Design, in its broadest sense, connects a variety of individual creative actions and ideas, all aligned toward achieving a specific objective. These actions are often driven by a preconceived vision or concept of what we aim to create. Design, then, is not just an outcome, but also a process through which we engage in the act of creation. It merges diverse elements of creativity and thought to form something tangible, whether it be an object, an event, or an experience. 

Every day, we navigate the world by responding to it mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our reactions—conscious or subconscious—shape our understanding of reality, which we interpret and react to in countless ways. The term “design” comes from the Latin signum, meaning "the action of making a mark or sign." In essence, design is the process of creating and interpreting symbols—an activity that is deeply embedded in our subconscious and unconscious mind. Our perception of "reality" including the world is inherently symbolic. What we create and how we perceive it are products of the same
same "consciousness" that allows us to experience and interpret reality. 




Likewise, what we design and create are also symbolic in nature. The world we craft for ourselves is a constructed reality, are shaped by symbols that we imagine, define, describe, perceive and observe as real. This symbolic character extends to everything we know, feel, and think. 

When we encounter our world and vision of reality, we instinctively seek its' meaning - whether consciously or unconsciously. Each design, however, will carry a multitude of interpretations, depending upon who is perceiving and/or observing it. Through design, we can transcend the boundaries of our own creation, expanding our ability and capacity to imagine, by learning to expand beyond the limitations we impose upon ourselves. 

Design appears to be an instinctive impulse, deeply  rooted in a patterned set of behaviors that 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 these archetypes by facilitating, i.e. channeling light, energy and information in the form of individual and collective patterns of creative expression. The design process acts as an agent between the tangible and intangible. By engaging in the act of symbol-making, we harmonize our conscious and unconscious worlds 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, forging connections between disparate elements to create something meaningful. It enables us to align elements of life that might initially appear incompatible, reflecting the dynamic interplay of diverse forces. The conscious act of design 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 philosophical concept, is often described as beyond human comprehension. It is vast, nameless, formless, and unpredictable - yet is symbolically expressed through the patterns found in nature. The Tao encompasses all existence which includes humanity; all things are viewed as an integral part of this larger cosmic order. Taoism teaches that all things are alive, contributing to the unfolding of the Tao. 

To speak of the Tao is to acknowledge this vast, mysterious force. Design, much like the Tao, has a transcendental quality, enabling us to move beyond rational constraints while remaining grounded in practical reality. It helps us attune ourselves to the interwoven patterns of the universe and participate in the formation of our personal and collective reality. 

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, 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, we achieve balance and unity. This harmony is expressed symbolically through the things we create the thoughts we entertain, and the actions we take. 

Design, in its essence, is a tool for revealing the deeper meaning and purpose embedded in the forms and actions that accompany us on our journey. It allows us to engage both mind and heart in ways that are attuned to our spiritual essence. While the Tao itself defies ordinary description, it can 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 awareness (transition, translation and transformation) veiled in everything we sense and observe. Change expresses itself in small, microcosmic and subtle ways. Each poem and story harbor their own unique set of symbols, circumstances, inputs, outputs, impressions and feelings. Some stories appear to be strikingly similar, yet each should be likened to a snowflake harboring a series of symbolic impressions of its own design and creation. Observe, embrace and listen very closely; each is calling out to you in their own special way.

Design is veiled within every nuance that appears to be real. 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 a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual filament. 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 when generated in conjunction within and beyond, the consciousness of the observer. This phenomenon occurs and is made relatively apparent at a quantum, i.e. subconscious, level of awareness. 

Blog Methodology: 

Each post begins with an original passage, followed by an AI-assisted poem and first story, all are 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 personal style, using points, lines, shapes, and patterns, all carefully combined to convey and highlight my own impressions surrounding 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.

Other References/Links

Other Blogs by C.G. Garant

* * *

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 
at

#9

  Design suggests wholeness  by symbolically corresponding with itself  in relative form.  Design references a position that does not change...

  • Introduction
      The Design Archetype  The Design Archetype plays a pivotal role in guiding us through our personal hero’s journey. Each life experience pr...
  • #9
    Design suggests wholeness  by symbolically corresponding with itself    in relative form.  Design references a position that does not change...
  • # 16
      Outside of function and purpose  there is meaning. Inside each purpose  there is mind.  Outside of each thing  there is a meaning that rec...