black box vs design

black box

noun
  • A theoretical construct or device with known input and output characteristics but unknown method of operation. 

  • A flight recorder; the brightly colored cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders in an aircraft designed to aid in determining the cause of an accident. 

  • A device used in phreaking that prevents the calling party from being billed for the call placed. 

  • A type of theater characterized by a lack of decoration or complex mechanisms. 

  • Any similar device on motor vehicles, such as rail event recorders and ship trip recorders. 

verb
  • To focus on the inputs and outputs without worrying about the internal complexity. 

design

noun
  • A plan (with more or less detail) for the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system. 

  • A pattern, as an element of a work of art or architecture. 

  • The art of designing 

  • The shape or appearance given to an object, especially one that is intended to make it more attractive. 

  • The composition of a work of art. 

  • Malicious or malevolent intention. 

  • A specification of an object or process, referring to requirements to be satisfied and thus conditions to be met for them to solve a problem. 

  • Intention or plot. 

verb
  • To plan and carry out (a picture, work of art, construction etc.). 

  • To manifest requirements to be satisfied by an object or process for them to solve a problem. 

How often have the words black box and design occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )