Designs popular outlets (7)
I believe the answer is:
invents
'designs' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with creating things as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'popular outlets' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in' ('in' can mean trendy).
'outlets' becomes 'vents' (I've seen this in another clue).
'in'+'vents'='INVENTS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for invents that I've seen before include "Devises, makes up" , "Originates" , "Creates" , "Conceives" , "Contrives" .)