Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Design Concept for Your Next Project
The first step to any interior design project is to come up with a design concept. A design concept or Narrative as we refer to it in my Studio, Kaiko design Interiors - is a central idea that will tie your project together. At its most basic it can take the form a colour story, a theme, a particular material you want to champion, even a feeling you want to create. Usually in the commercial projects we undertake this Narrative is stronger and more storyline based.
The design concept will serve as your touch-point throughout your project, keeping you from getting side-tracked from your vision.
How do I create a design concept?
The first step to creating a design concept is to decide on your central idea. This might be a proverb or a text, it could be a photograph or artwork you love. Some examples of how this initial idea is translated into an interior scheme are below:
Colour
what is the colour story behind the object or text you are exploring?
Style
This can relate the to the period of time in which your inspiration comes from or it might reference more the building architecture. Its your concept, so there really are no rules.
So now you have your central idea or Narrative/ Concept…what do I do next?
Now its time to start collating imagery from a variety of sources and begin your mood/ concept board. Often the best images are ones which convey a feeling rather than a literal translation or an interior space. often it can be helpful to describe in words how an image makes you feel. The below example is for a clients simple bathroom in the Lower North Shore of Sydney, Australia.
Kaiko Design Interiors, bathroom narrative presentation board (example)
Unlock the full potential of your interior design project with a strong design concept. Learn how to find inspiration, define your narrative, and build a mood board with Kaiko Design Interiors.
Kaiko Design, Port Stephens House I, Powder room