The design can be classified in many ways. On the basis of knowledge, skill and creativity required inthe designing process, the designs are broadly classified into three types

•  Adaptive Design
• Variant Design (S 97, 99)• 
• Original Design

 Adaptive Design In most design situations the designer's job is to make a slight modification of the existing design. These are called adaptive designs.

. This type of design needs no special knowledge or skill. E.g. converting mechanical watches into a new shape.• 

Variant Design This type of design demands considerable scientific training and design ability, in order to modify the existing designs into a new idea, by adopting a new material or a different method of manufacture. In this case, though the designer starts from the existing designs, the final product may be entirely different from the original product .E.g. converting mechanical watches into quartz watches. Here a new technology is adopted

.• Original Design Here the designer designs something that did not exist previously. Thus, it is also called new design or innovative design. For making original designs, a lot of research work, knowledge and creativity are essential. A company thinks of new design when there is a new technology available or when there is enough market push. Since this type of design demands maximum creativity from the part of the designer, these are also called creative designs