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The moment of design conception is an exciting moment of clarity and confidence for the designer. There is a sense of knowing that the relevant issues have been correctly understood and that the right way forward is assured. It is as if our consciousness has been able to grasp the functional, aesthetic, cultural and spiritual significance of the design in one clear moment.

There are a number of contemplative exercises to prepare ourselves for this stage including:
· Meditating on all the elements studied in the analytical process - client, site, materials etc. - in order to gain a sense of both the essence and the whole

· Direct our consciousness to the objectives of the design and observe the response of our thought process

· Adopt the perspective of being in the now through silent meditation. Allow yourself to just listen.

· Create the awareness of the past, then the present and the future as consecutive experiences in meditation.Ask questions to yourself such as "What dose this design need?" and "What uniqueness can I offer this project". Allow your intuitive faculties to respond.

From here design conception can take place in two ways: 1. In the form of a clear idea or image 2. As a clarity of mind, resolute and assured in moving forward It is important to maintain consciousness of the conception when moving into the next stage of expressing or representing the design.

EXPRESSION
Design expression is the natural continuity or flow from the moment of design conception. The chosen medium whether pencil drawing, computer modeling or cardboard model must be both technically and intuitively correct for the designer. The expression of the design requires a resounding level of concentration both to keep the thoughts focused as well as keeping the resonance's of the preceding meditations happening. This is a special time of bringing the formless into form. It is that moment of truth for any artist when the vibrant and subjective abstract is called upon to take physical presence. Throughout the ages the test of any visionary has been their ability to translate thought into action. For the contemporary designer it is no less a challenge. Such a focused expression of creative energies requires a special nurturing in order to do justice to the original inspiration. The designer conception is similar to that of a human embryo in the mothers womb. It requires special care and attention at this time of critical growth. Scientific research has indicated that important physical and psychological building blocks are set in place in this time of human development. The development of the design is also quite fragile from the time of conception and require special nourishment for healthy and creative growth. The designer takes on a parenting role in ensuring the original vision of the design, yet recognising the emergence of the design's own individual identity.. As the stream of expressive ideas flow into the design, a wonderful relationship unfolds between the design and designer. Each line drawn builds character and strength in the emerging creation. To the designer what is being revealed is an inherent truth now claimed by the design itself. It is moving into a state of being realised where, in its final form , it is able just to be.

CASE STUDY: CONSCIOUSNESS AS PART OF A TRADITIONAL ARTISTIC SYSTEM
The Vedic Artist
"Works of art created by humans are an imitation of divine forms; by utilising their rhythms, a restructuring of the vibrational rate of the limited human personality is effected ."
AITEREYA BRAHMANA

In the context of being an art form, the heritage of western design is deeply stemmed in a Renaissance and Classical standard of beauty based on the human figure. Its Protestant world view emphasises rational and temporal perceptions and verbal and intellectual abilities.

As a case study of consciousness driven design we will be take by contrast an eastern frame of reference whose world view is dominated by a bias to the right cerebral hemisphere with an emphasis in the intuitive, fluidity of thought and a respect for nature. In particularly we will be drawing from the Indian Sub-continent whose tradition of art and design delivers forms and images that are created with specific intention to effect the temperament of the viewer/user.

As an illustration of the degree with which consciousness can be used in the design process, let us take the case study of the Hindu artist within the Vedic Tradition. The Vedic teachings, or Vedanta, describe a cosmic view of a living universe, structured as an ever changing field of vibrating energy that is a manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness or Brahman.

Within this belief system every creature has its own purpose which it fulfills on the earth. It was the purpose of the artist or shilpin to bring enrichment and fulfillment in life by creating forms which link the spectator to the Divine. The creative artist is an agent of liberation: he mimics the original creative act - the descent of the Divine into matter - and the forms he creates facilitate the return ascent of matter to the Divine. His ability to accomplish such a task is facilitated by deep meditation experience and profound ingrained spiritual knowledge.

The artist also had in intrinsic role of maintaining cosmic rhythms and the order of the universe - the eternal cycles of birth, growth, decay and death. Art and sacrifice were seen as two reciprocal movements that together maintain life. Sacrifice, in religious practice, entails the offering of symbols of creation - grain, clarified butter, milk etc. - into fire or yagya. The result is the dematerialisation of matter and its ascent into the higher realms of the cosmos.

The artistic process, the reciprocal, involves the transcendence of mind by the artist into higher realms of the cosmos through meditation. From this silence and state of pure consciousness, the artist becomes a receptive vessel for subjective feelings and nuances. These are then bought back into the physical dimension and manifest into abstract images and symbols. And finally within the vessel of a stable mind of the artist are allowed to crystalise as archetypal forms which are then created into physical matter.