Nebulous, Abstract, Elusive: Examining Design Concepts Within Interiors Practice and Pedagogy

Conceptual thinking is central to many creative practices. Within interior architecture and design, its ability to drive creativity, innovation, and collaboration is demonstrated through the use of design concepts. Drawing on existing literature and data collected from an international group of students, educators, and practitioners, this article presents categories of definitions that capture diverse perspectives on the subject matter. The text also introduces a novel framework for classifying types or ‘levels’ of design concepts and explores their integration within creative practices by examining the history and evolution of design processes.