Sunday quiz invites readers to spot timeless design icons

A relaxed Sunday morning often calls for something unhurried: a cup of chai, a good playlist, and a little mental stretch. In that spirit, a new entertainment quiz from *The Hindu* turns the spotlight on design—specifically, the designers and design icons that quietly shape the way we live, shop, read, and navigate public spaces.

Framed as an easy, welcoming quiz, it nudges readers to identify celebrated design figures and recognise the signature works associated with them. No heavy jargon, no pressure—just an invitation to look a bit closer at the world around us.

A quiz that makes design feel approachable Design can sometimes feel like an insider’s subject, discussed in studio critiques and glossy coffee-table books. But the quiz’s appeal lies in doing the opposite: it treats design as a shared, everyday experience.

Whether it’s a familiar chair silhouette, a household product form, a typeface you’ve seen on countless book covers, or a brand identity you could recognise from across a street, “design icons” are all around us. The quiz uses that familiarity to make learning feel effortless—more like a conversation than a test.

For many readers, this format works as a friendly doorway into a bigger world. You may not remember names right away, but you might remember a shape, a pattern, a colour scheme, or a distinctive approach. And once you connect a designer to an object or style, it becomes easier to notice those influences elsewhere.

What design icons teach us about everyday life Quizzes like these aren’t only about memory; they encourage observation. A strong designer doesn’t just make things look good—they solve problems: how an object fits the hand, how a poster communicates quickly, how a public sign guides people safely, how packaging feels trustworthy, or how a digital interface reduces confusion.

That’s why design icons matter beyond aesthetics. They represent moments when creative thinking met real-world needs, often influencing multiple industries—from furniture and architecture to publishing, advertising, industrial products, and digital experiences.

For India’s growing community of creative professionals—graphic designers, product designers, architects, UX designers, animators, and illustrators—this kind of general-knowledge quiz can also be quietly motivating. It reminds us that design is a discipline with lineage: ideas are built over time, inspired by earlier innovators, and adapted for new contexts.

Even for readers who don’t work in creative fields, the quiz offers a satisfying pause in the week. It’s the kind of activity you can do alone in a few minutes or share with family—comparing guesses, discussing what looks familiar, and learning something new without the feeling of being “studied”.

A small Sunday ritual for curious minds In an age of fast scrolling, taking a moment to engage with design knowledge can be calming. It asks for attention, not outrage; curiosity, not conflict. That’s also what makes the quiz well-suited to a Sunday: it’s light, but not empty.

If you’re new to design, you’ll likely come away with a few names you want to look up later. If you already enjoy design, you’ll get the pleasure of recognition—and perhaps a gentle push to revisit classics.

**Why it matters:** Design literacy helps us make better choices as consumers and citizens, and it celebrates the creative thinking that improves daily life—one well-made object, image, or idea at a time.