How to say "design" in Japanese

• デザインJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers design in the sense of planning the appearance or style of something — graphics, products, fashion, interiors. This is the word you want for design as a creative field or activity.
  彼かれのデザインは大変たいへん独創的どくそうてきだ。↗

  His designs are highly original.
• 設計せっけいJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDesign in the technical sense: working out the structure, layout, or workings of buildings, machines, systems, or software. It is about planning how something is built or functions, not how it looks.
  私の設計せっけいにしたがって、作つくってもらいました。↗

  I had it made after my own plan.
• 模様もようJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounHere 'design' means a decorative pattern or figure, such as the design on cloth or pottery. For design as a creative activity or a plan, this is not the word you want.
  彼女かのじょはその皿さらの模様もようが気きに入はいっている。↗

  She likes the design on the plate.
• 柄がらJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Refers to a decorative pattern, most typically the pattern of cloth or clothing. As a translation of 'design' it works only in that pattern sense, not for design as an activity.
  この赤色あかいろで柄がら全体ぜんたいがだいなしだ。↗

  The red kills the whole pattern.
• 意図いとJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'design' only in the sense of intention or purpose, as in 'by design' or 'the design behind a policy'. It has nothing to do with visual or technical design.
  意図いとしていたものとかけ離はなれた結果けっかとなった。↗

  It had an effect alien from the one intended.

Use 「デザイン」 for design as styling or creative work, 設計 for technical or structural planning, 模様 and 柄 for decorative patterns, and 意図 only when 'design' means intention or purpose, as in 'by design'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• デザインdesign
• 設計せっけいplan
• 模様もようpattern
• 柄がらpattern
• 意図いとintention
• 図案ずあんdesign
• 意匠いしょうdesign
• 絵柄えがらpattern
• プロデュースto produce (e.g. movie, play, show, event, musical recording, etc.)
• 趣向しゅこうplan
• 図柄ずがらdesign
• 旗印はたじるしdesign (on a banner)
• 文様もんようpattern
• 下絵したえrough sketch
• 考案こうあんplan
• 企みたくらみplot
• 企てるくわだてるto plan
• あやfigure
• デシネdesign
• 図案化ずあんかdesign
• 文目あやめpattern
• 作意さくいidea
• 目論見もくろみplan
• 了見りょうけんidea
• 調略ちょうりゃくplan
• 考えかんがえintention
• 工夫くふうdevice
• コンセプトintention
• 装丁そうていdesign (of a book cover)
• ようform
• 匠たくみcraft
• 巧みたくみcraft
• 絵様えようdesign