This paper investigates the relationship between the use of silent or explicit design (SD or ED) and the characteristics of firms or sectors that use each of these types of design in Argentina. The findings show that SD differs from ED and that the differences have important implications for the creation of policies to support competitiveness as well as for the development of business strategies. The study contributes to the literature by identifying three groups of dimensions. (1) Structural. Neither size nor barriers to the use of design bear relation to the use of design. (2) Dynamic. SD and ED have different effects on competitiveness based on the different links each type of design has with knowledge (particularly absorptive capacity and knowledge of new technology). (3) Technological intensity. Sectors with low technological intensity are identified as high-design intensity sectors, linked to the use of new technologies coming from others sectors.