How to write a design statement

Types of design statement

• A project statement: explains a single project, for a portfolio, review or competition.
• A personal design statement: explains who you are as a designer, for an application.
• A design and access statement: in planning applications in England, a document that explains the design and how access has been considered. See Planning permission in England.

The principles are the same: explain your thinking in plain language.

Start with what you want to say

Before you write, answer in a sentence or two:

• What is the project, or who am I?
• What is the main idea, question or belief?
• Why does it matter?

If you cannot say it simply, keep thinking.

The principles are the same: explain your thinking in plain language.

A simple structure for a project statement

1. Context. Where is it, who is it for, and what was the brief?
2. The challenge. What problem or opportunity did you find?
3. The idea. What was your response, in simple terms?
4. How it works. Two or three key design moves: plan, form, structure, materials, light.
5. The result. What kind of place does it create, and what did you learn?

Keep it short: usually between 100 and 300 words, unless the application asks otherwise.

Write well

• Use plain, concrete words. "A courtyard that cools the house" is better than "a dialogue between inside and outside".
• Be specific. Name materials, spaces and decisions.
• Avoid jargon and clichés. Words like "dynamic", "seamless" and "iconic" say nothing.
• Write about the project, not about yourself, unless it is a personal statement.
• Use active verbs and short sentences.
• Be honest. Do not claim more than you did or overstate what the project achieves.
• Read it aloud and cut what does not help.
• Check spelling and grammar, and ask someone to read it.

A personal statement

For a personal design statement, explain:

• what draws you to architecture, with a real example;
• what you have done, such as projects, work, visits and reading, and what you learned;
• how you think, with a short example;
• what you want to do next, and why this course or practice.

Be yourself. Admissions tutors and employers read many statements, and a genuine, specific voice stands out.

Using AI

If you use AI to help with wording, be careful and honest: check that it says what you mean, that nothing is invented, and that the voice and ideas are yours. Follow any rules of the school or employer. See Drawing, then AI.

In short

Know your main idea, say it simply, be specific and honest, keep it short and read it aloud.

Start a project