Conceptualisation of design process: a pilot study on architectural students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Abstract

The paper explains a pilot study on conceptualisation of design among third year architecture students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The purpose of the study is to assess the student's perception on the meaning and factors that lead to the conceptualisation design process within a studio project. It utilised survey questionnaires on a studio work-based that consist of ten students and in-depth review on two selected student's sketchbooks on conceptual diagrams and sketches. The findings reveal that two factors limit the student's conceptualisation: (i) lack of knowledge, experience and understanding on design, and (ii) complexity of design stages. It leads to a stuck and confuse situation in gradual development of student's concept as well as internal conflicts in design agreement of their work. However, the nature of students returning activity to their previous precedents and main idea has aided the growth of their understanding on their design concepts. It affirms that student's consciousness on returning onto their design activity has helped to maneuver their difficulties exist in their conceptualisation of design process.