Timeless | Light |
Minimalist | Maximalist |
Modern | Vintage |
Fresh | Youthful |
Mature | Futuristic |
Classic | Retro |
Urban | Industrial |
Rural | Organic |
Feminine | Masculine |
Elegant | Playful |
Clean | Adaptive |
Pragmatic | Natural |
Lively | Social |
Posh | High status |
Durable | Flexible |
Reliable | Nostalgic |
Responsive | High performance |
Traditional | Wholesome |
Convenient | Comfortable |
Accessible | Intuitive |
Productive | Time-saving |
Space-saving | Efficient |
User-friendly | Engaging |
Emotional | Sensitive |
Cutting-edge | Educational |
Precise | Craftsmanship |
Refined | Polished |
Safe | Secure |
Original | Tough |
Distinctive | Clean |
Functions
Functional concepts that describe what users can accomplish with a design. For example, a digital piano that includes integrated piano lessons.Features
Features are how functions are implemented. It is more common for design concepts to be based on functions. Nevertheless, a unique or valuable feature might be used as a concept. For example, a bathtub that glows with color temperature to indicate water temperature.Quality
A design based on a quality objective or approach. For example, a lightweight bicycle tire rim that is unbreakable such that it will last 1 million kilometers.Form
An idea for the shape of a design such as a chair that looks like a cocoon.Style
A style concept such a cyberpunk look for a keyboard design that makes use of bare metal and neon buttons.Emotions
A design that seeks to inspire emotions such as shoes that inspire power and confidence.Usability
Design concepts that embody usability goals such as productivity. For example, a media editing tool that automates all grunt work such that users can focus on creative elements of a project.Technical
A technical concept that achieves design objectives in areas such as performance and efficiency. For example, a concept for a rocket design that allows first and second stage boosters to be recovered and reused to improve launch efficiency.Nature
Organic concepts such as a house designed to blend into its natural surroundings. It is common for architecture and interior design concepts to be based on an analogy to nature. For example, a green building based on a "vertical forest" concept.Experience
Customer experience concepts such as headphones designed to be light and comfortable such that they feel like an extension of your body.Community
Community concepts such as a living street or play street in urban design.Culture
Designs concepts based on a culture, superculture or subculture. For example, a concept such as "unbelievably plain but functional" for fashions designed to appeal to the normcore subculture.Risk
Risk based concepts such an "unsinkable ship."Sustainability
Designs that reduce environmental damage and improve quality of life. For example, a package that fully biodegrades into harmless elements such that it doesn't contribute to ocean plastic.Summary
| Overview: Design Concept | ||
Type | ||
Definition | A foundational idea that gives a design its depth, meaning and direction. | |
Related Concepts | ||
