Design and culture are two inseparable terms as both are dependent on the existence of each other. The argument to showcase the extent of each of these terms is equal to the unanswered theory of ‘Who came first: the egg or the chicken?’ We must study their relation to each other with respect to design using different prepositions to understand their varied roles.
Design in culture: Change in technology and adaption of cultural beings with the scope of changes. Design helps people lead a better life with easy access to things which provokes them to think differently. Design helps sustain culture and develop it to fit the requirements of today.
Design of culture: Everything that exists in and around us is design. The structure of culture can be known as it’s design. Culture is designed to make the lives of individuals simple and better. But it’s imposition can cause a heavy denial and chaos even before the analysis of what is right or wrong. Example: Individuals reacted in various manners such as taking out rallies, spreading awareness through media attention or simply just ignored the happening of the ‘Parel station Foot-over-bridge accident’. It was an example of how our culture is designed to provide freedom of choice and expression.
Design for culture: In order to preserve culture, many norms and rules are created. These are portrayed as symbols of the culture and ways to sustain it. Culture is one of the basics that helped humanity grow branches such as society, settlements and living patterns. Hence, designing to maintain culture is essential for keeping our aesthetic and visual roots intact.
Design as culture: With the growth of technology and development of the definition or culture, more and more varied societal bodies are being established. People are developing cultural communities based on innovation today and not just religions. Design in this case is helping us develop platforms, make them acceptable and provide them as a choice to humans.

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