Rough sketches are particularly emphasized in which design phase?

Rough sketches play a crucial role in the conceptual design phase because they allow architects and designers to explore ideas visually and quickly communicate concepts without the need for detailed drawings. During this phase, the primary focus is on brainstorming and developing initial ideas, and rough sketches serve as a tool for expressing thoughts on layout, form, and relationship between spaces. This iterative process encourages creativity and flexibility, enabling designers to refine their vision before moving into more detailed drawings and specifications in later phases.

As the design progresses beyond the conceptual phase, the emphasis typically shifts toward precision, with finalized drawings and specifications becoming more critical, making rough sketches less central to those later activities.