The word 设计 is formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing a core concept to create a new, integrated meaning. The first character, 设 (shè), depicts the idea of "establishing" or "laying out", originally shown through a component meaning "words" and one meaning "to strike", suggesting the act of putting an idea into a stated form. The second, 计 (jì), represents "planning" or "calculation", combining "words" with the number "ten", implying a detailed, methodical proposal. Together, they merge the notion of conceptually laying something out (设) with the notion of detailed planning and calculation (计) to perfectly express the modern concept of "design" as intentional, creative planning.