The aim of this dissertation thesis was to specify the importance of tradition in the context of design. The work discusses the tradition in a wider context: describes changes in society, which have affected perception of history and tradition; examines identity, nostalgia and fashion; explores the relationship between tradition and design, tradition and innovation. The dissertation is divided, besides introduction and conclusion, into eight chapters. Three opening chapters define the objective of the work, the methodology and present the review of literature. The fourth chapter explores definition of tradition in society. The fifth chapter examines the development of the Western world from traditional to modern frame of thinking. Next chapter applies learned knowledge in the field of design. The seventh chapter deals with survey on how people perceive different traditionbased objects. The method of semantic differential was used. The final chapter is practically oriented. It is dedicated to design of board game inspired by Slovak customs.