Some claim that only innately talented designers can form good abstractions, develop a well-factored object design, or construct a domain model. The implication seems to be that design talent is rare and that only gifted designers are up to the more challenging task of creating good abstractions. Balderdash! Although design is a highly creative activity, we can still learn fundamental design skills--and accomplish a lot with them.

In this column, Rebecca Wirfs-Brock explores ways of seeing that have helped her become a better designer. She starts by discussing the fundamental design skill of finding objects.