Knowing who designed a course does have an effect on my "planned" strategy going in.
I know that an old school course like a Colt or Simpson will be best played if I can keep the ball between myself and the hole. Carry is not as important on an old school course... hitting the ball on a line to the hole IS important!
On modern course like a Fazio or Nicklaus (especially a Nicklaus), being able to carry the ball the proper distance is very important. These courses require more of an air game and I know that I will be behind the eight ball before I get started because that is not my forte.
I guess I like the "new" old school archies like C&C, DeVries, Doak, etc so much because they don't depend on carry so much to make their courses interesting... like the ODGs.
So, yes... knowing who designed a course definitely has an influence on how I plan to play the course.