Schematic design is the process of synthesizing all the information absorbed in programming and generating the first "image" of the problem's solution. It is a combination of scientific analysis and imagination. This first "schematic" begins the design dialogue. The drawings are usually at a small scale, focusing attention on the fundamental design questions rather than details. Through the use of Computer Aided Design, small perspective sketches are often included in this presentation as well as plans, elevations (the façades), and sections (slices through the building).

Depending upon how closely the presented design meets the clients requirements, we may choose to work at this small scale a bit longer or move directly to the next step.