Having Designs' Having Designs is a phrase that can be used to describe someone who is crafty and has a plan for achieving their goals. It is often used to describe someone who is clever and has a strategy for getting what they want. The term can also be used to describe someone who is creative and has a vision for how to make something happen. The crossword solution for the term Having Designs is SLY, which is an adjective that means cunning or shrewd.