Mention the word design and most of us associate it with innovation and high-tech solutions: something slick, fast, foolish, bright, shiny or new looking - stylish lifestyle accessories that we see advertised in glossy magazines. But there is more to design, another quieter, humbler and mature side.

It is design as a result of evolution over thousands of years and whose underlying principles have not changed for countless generations. It is present in objects so archaic, simple and beautiful that they are not even recognised as being designed. It is design that is also revolving, being applied over and over again.

It is design that has shaped our culture and civilisation and helped us to become what we are. It will remain with us as a way of determining our world in the future.