Tips on making a concept paper for interior design students

In most cases, the interiors you design should speak for themselves. But often a brief concept statement–typically, no more than four to seven sentences–can help the reader understand what you are trying to accomplish in the room. In this concept statement, you should highlight the elements that make up the design, as well as establish your reasoning for choosing each of these elements. Urge the concept statement reader to look deeper than the paint or flooring to better understand the meaning behind the design of the space. Instructions

 Describe what you want the design to convey. Are you trying to give the space a warm, cozy feeling or something cold, metallic and futuristic? Let the reader know and understand your concept.  Describe the elements that go into your design. Basically, explain what you did for this room and why you did it. Give an explanation for your fabric choice, lighting design, color scheme–anything you want the reader to know about the room.  Give some background into where you got your inspiration. This will help your reader get a sense of what the design is actually about.

Adding a little hint about where you drew your inspiration might even help readers conjure up their own imagery and increase their understanding of the space.  Use descriptive language and visuals to give power to your statement. Don’t simply say something to the effect of, “I used shag carpeting because it is retro.” Try something more like, “Beneath your feet the shag carpeting can transport you to another time.” You want to give your reader a real “feel” for what the design is about.  Edit and revise as necessary to make your statement as powerful as possible. You only have four to seven sentences to perfectly encapsulate the concept behind the project that have you have probably spent quite a lot of time working on. Remove unnecessary language to be sure each word you include in the statement packs a punch.