Esikuvaus

Esikuvaus is a Finnish term describing a preliminary depiction or preparatory illustration used in planning and early concept development. It refers to quick, often rough visualizations intended to communicate core ideas, mood, or layout of a project before final design decisions are made. Esikuvia can take various forms, such as sketches, storyboards, mood boards, written scenarios, or other simple formats that focus on conveying concept rather than technical detail.

In practice, esikuvaus is used across several fields. In architecture and urban planning, it may be an early schematic drawing to illustrate spatial relationships. In product and industrial design, rough renderings help explore features, ergonomics, and aesthetics. In film, theatre, and multimedia, storyboards or visual sequences function as esikuvia to plan scenes and pacing. In marketing or communications, concept mood boards or narrative outlines serve to present ideas to clients or teams for feedback before committing to specifications.

Etymology and usage: the word Eskuvaus combines esi- meaning before with kuvaus meaning description or depiction, signaling its role as a prelude to more detailed work. While primarily used in Finnish-language contexts, the concept aligns with English terms such as concept sketch, storyboard, or mood board, which describe similar preparatory visuals used in early-stage development.

See also: concept sketch, storyboard, mood board, preliminary design.