The document introduces design patterns and their key elements. It discusses how design patterns help address common object-oriented design problems like determining appropriate objects, object granularity, specifying interfaces, and implementations. Key points made include: design patterns make reuse easier, express proven techniques, help choose reusable designs, and get a design "right" faster. Each pattern has a name, problem description, solution, and consequences. Patterns are organized by purpose (creational, structural, behavioral) and scope (class, object).