The programming paradigm that focuses on the concept of objects to design applications is known as Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). OOP organizes software design around data, or objects, rather than functions and logic. Each object can represent real-world entities, encapsulating data and behavior. This approach promotes reusability and scalability, allowing developers to create modular and flexible code. Languages like Java, C++, and Python employ OOP principles, making it easier to maintain and update applications as requirements evolve.