Eastern design deserving to be taken seriously (7)

I believe the answer is:

earnest

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'deserving to be taken seriously' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'eastern design' is the wordplay.
'design' indicates anagramming the letters.
'eastern' anagrammed gives 'EARNEST'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "Fervent - down payment" , "Oscar Wilde play 'The Importance of Being . . . . . . .'" , "'Serious, sincere (7)'" , "art making money?" , "Solemn; pledge" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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