Is it possible to traverse a restriction issued for a design application by arguing that a search and examination of the entire application would not be a serious burden upon the Examiner?

No.  MPEP 1504.05 specifically states:

"The issue of whether a search and examination of an entire application can be made without serious burden to an examiner (as noted in MPEP § 803) is not applicable to design applications when determining whether a restriction requirement should be made."