Trying to understand how to design circuits

Hi all:

I am trying to understand the process by which the design of circuits
is carried out.
How from the white paper begins the design of a certain circuit?

In many other areas one understands that there is a certain structure,
a certain order, a process. For example:

In the case of a writing one understands that there is a thesis, main
ideas, ideas of support, a conclusion. All this must be articulated to
achieve a certain objective. This is understandable.

In the case of a car is understood that exists the motor, the electric
system, the chassis, the panel, all they complying a certain function
and thus in many other areas as the software, Civil Engineering, etc.

But in the case of the circuits all seems very confused (at least for
the novice). One doesn`t know how someone decided to put a resistor
here, there a diode, or a capacitor over there. At times seems that
certain circuits were discovered by accident. Which is the center and
which the periphery.

So the question is:
Once one has certain know-how of electronics as the funcion of the
components, the basic theory, etc
¿How to proceed from the white paper to go building a certain circuit?

How to decide where to put a resistor, a diode, a capacitor, etc?

Thanks in advance by any comment.

.