Axiom 1: A design is something that is utilized by humans to aid their survival.

Axiom 2: Machines and simple machines (wedge, lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, and screw) are designs.

Corollary: A simple machine works by exchanging time for force. More time is taken and less force.

Axiom 3: There are stationary designs and there are designs that move.

Axiom 4: A moving design has a power source.

Axiom 5: The power of a moving design is man or man's use of some motion in the physical universe.

Axiom 6: Other than natural disaster, all accidents connected with designs can be conceived to be the result of human error--an error in training, an error in maintenance, or an error in the design itself.

Axiom 7: A design is made of one part or more than one part.

Axiom 8: In a design that has more has more than one part--the parts simply fit together, or a connector holds the parts together.

Axiom 9: To fix a design that has more than one part one has to find what part or connector is at fault.

Axiom 10: If the parts and connectors of a design were replaced when needed that design would last forever.

Axiom 11: As much as possible, a design should be in harmony with it's surrounding environment.

Axiom 12: Changing environmental conditions call for new designs.

Axiom 13: New technological designs in one field lead to new technological designs in other fields.

Axiom 14: A robot is a design that is doing work that was once done by man or woman.

Axiom 15: A design must attempt to fit a carbon-oxygen powered unit called a human that exhibits as a species a perception range, strength and motion ranges, and a computational range.

Axiom 16: A design must not upset the delicate balance of nature on which humans depend for their survival.

Axiom 17: As nature selects certain species, so humans select certain designs.

Axiom 18: The simpler the design the more likely it will be utilized.

Axiom 19: In design, the minimum location is defined by a point,

the minimum line is defined by two points,

the minimum plane by three points or a triangle,

and the minimum space by four points or a tetrahedron.

Axiom 20: The minimum structure is a triangle (for a plane) or tetrahedron (for space).

Axiom 21: Beauty is function and efficiency and symmetry.