There are a lot of definitions, interpretations and explanations of design and its phenomenal manifestations. Nevertheless, it is predominantly relegated to the category of art, which neglects its technical-technological, economical and social characteristics that arise from its interdisciplinary character. Since design has been actualised in almost 'all aspects of social activities - economic, industrial, political, social, cultural, psychological, scientific and philosophical' (Vukić), I will try, from the historical point of view, to shed light on the phenomenon of this creative activity and position it in contemporary theoretical practices; to point to misunderstandings, often even paradoxes, which occur when only creative-artistic content is considered, while its other features are neglected. I will thematize the issues about the domains that encompass design, together with its phenomenal manifestations, in order to show that it is indeed the creation that invites interdisciplinary contemplation.

design; industrial design; graphic design; art; creativity; cultural production; interdisciplinarity