Ontwerpwordt

Ontwerpwordt is a term used in Dutch design discourse to describe the moment or process when a design concept becomes a tangible artifact. The word combines ontwerp (design) and wordt (becomes), and is typically used to discuss the transition from abstract intent to concrete product, interface, or service. In education and industry, ontwerpwordt is invoked to frame the iterative stages of development, including ideation, prototyping, user testing, and refinement. Proponents view ontwerpwordt as highlighting design agency in cross-disciplinary teams, where decisions regarding form, function, materials, and interaction are consolidated into a final form.

Origins and usage: The term emerged in contemporary Dutch design scholarship in the early 21st century and is commonly encountered in design critiques and project reports written in Dutch. It is not a formal design method, but a descriptive label for the handoff from concept to artifact.

In practice, ontwerpwordt can refer to: the translation of sketches and models into production-ready specifications; the moment a user experience strategy materializes in a product interface; the point at which branding, typography, and color systems are locked in. Critics argue that the term can obscure the non-linear nature of design work, which often involves continuous iteration. See also: design thinking, prototyping, user-centered design.