What exactly does the word “design” mean to us these days? Is it a vocation? a skillset or a techinique? Is it art? Design these days have very different meanings in today’s world that go beyond the norm. Design is no longer about art or commercial art for that matter. Rather, design has evolved into a way of seeing a new and bigger picture. Design is a way of thinking that can help us to manage and create the world around us.It is this very mindset that has given birth to D-Schools. Many graduate programs, including business schools and art schools, have come to adopt the core ideas of D-School programs. The core of these programs is one of a cross-disciplinary approach to everyday business problems. It is at this core that creative principles found in design can be used to develop new solutions for business. It is the ability to marry creative right-brain thinking and analytical left-brain thinking. Design is no longer about the aesthetic, but rather, it is how design can affect our everyday life with innovative products and services that can dramatically change the way we live it.Much like what we saw in the early 90s with a revolution in design because of the MAC, I believe we are entering a new age of design. One that will give birth to new generation of creative thinkers that will create a seamless synergy between business strategy and design for strategic advantage.To read more about this topic, click here to read some articles from BusinessWeek.