Consider Design patterns as models whose basic structures can be altered to meet your design needs. I studied C++ Design Patterns some time ago- quite a bit before beginning to learn Perl. What I gained from them were concepts of how to conceptualy break large projects into modules whose basic concepts and purpose can be communicated in a manner that is easily understood by others. I have often found that although I come nowhere near meeting the design standards I dream of - that just the process of involving my peers in some discussion of patterns concepts stimulates our thinking use some of these concepts. Don't be so hard on yourself and remember "Cape does not enable user to fly". Spidey