Concept Photos & Concept Statement Assignment
INDS 1311 Fundamentals of Interior Design
Programming and Design Concept Development
What is a Design Concept?
The ultimate truth regarding your design intent.
The “story” you are creating and telling.
The theme of your project.
Your source for all design answers.
Your direction’s explanation and the way you sell your idea.
What is the “WHAT, WHY & HOW” method of writing a Design Concept?
It is a way of starting the formulation of your design concept.
Start with an easy statement of WHAT you are designing.
Use the WHY section to explain your direction.
And finally speak to HOW you are going to achieve this.
Step One
I am designing a _____________________ for ________________________in ____________________.
Step Two
Select a design direction. (Using your 1. client interview notes 2. your research and 3. your creativity)
· Brainstorm ideas and find inspirational photos and images to support, direct or express your design approach to the project.
· Is it modern, traditional, green, formal, casual, eclectic…?
· What are your ideas on: Geometry, Color, Materials…
Summarize your idea down to one or two words and add them into your WHAT statement.
I am designing a modern and sustainable master bedroom suite for Mr. & Mrs. Smith in the Heights neighborhood of Houston Texas.
Step Three
Formalize your design ideas above. Write complete sentences describing WHY you chose that direction.
This is the WHY portion of your concept.
Examples:
My design will look to the architects and designers of the mid-century for inspiration; the layout will be open and efficient and the materials and colors will be timeless and natural.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith are both passionate about modern design, he is the curator at the CAM (Contemporary arts museum in Houston) and she is a product designer for IKEA (a Swedish furniture company specializing affordable in modern design).
Mr. & Mrs. Smith have recently become empty nesters and have moved to the Heights area to be closer to their jobs and to be in less space. They discussed their desire to be more “Green”.
During their last vacation, they became huge fans of the mid-century design aesthetic while they were in Palm Springs.
Step Four
Now describe how you will achieve this idea.
The space will be laid out with efficiency and functionality as key drivers. I will design the space using clean lines and minimal décor. As a part of the design, I will make sure to utilize the beautiful exterior views, allowing for the connection to nature. My material selections will all have renewable or recycled content and my color palate will reflect “green” design by using the natural color of each material to form the palette. Concrete, wood and glass will account for almost all the building materials, while textiles used in the space will all be natural.
Step Five
Put it all together and add a final summary statement.
WHAT
I am designing a modern and sustainable master bedroom suite for Mr. & Mrs. Smith in the Heights neighborhood of Houston Texas.
WHY
My design will look to the architects and designers of the mid-century for inspiration; the layout will be open and efficient and the materials and colors will be timeless and natural.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith are both passionate about modern design, he is the curator at the CAM (Contemporary arts museum in Houston) and she is a product designer for IKEA (a Swedish furniture company specializing affordable in modern design). Mr. & Mrs. Smith have recently become empty nesters and have moved to the Heights area to be closer to their jobs and to be in less space. They discussed their desire to be more “Green”. During their last vacation, they became huge fans of the mid-century design aesthetic while they were in Palm Springs.
HOW
The space will be laid out with efficiency and functionality as key drivers. I will design the space using clean lines and minimal décor. As a part of the design, I will make sure to utilize the beautiful exterior views, allowing for the connection to nature. My material selections will all have renewable or recycled content and my color palate will reflect “green” design by using the natural color of each material to form the palette. Concrete, wood and glass will account for almost all the building materials, while textiles used in the space will all be natural.
SUMMARY STATEMENT
Inspired by the simplicity of Mid-Century design, a modern master bedroom suite will be created for the Smith’s. Their love for modern architecture and their need to live a more sustainable lifestyle will come together in the most fitting and timeless of solutions.
Remember:
This can evolve and change as you move through the design process.
It is where you go to make your decisions.
It is how you sell your idea to the client.
It is also a way to direct the client.