Cognitive characteristics of concept derivation phase in environmental art design: A epistemic network analysis of design scheme construction process

Currently, there is a lack of in-depth research on the associative evaluation and developmental trajectory of the environmental design scheme construction process. Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) is an analytical method for describing individual or group cognitive framework patterns, which can dynamically represent the cognitive characteristics of designers in the design process. In this paper, through experimental research, 'Discover, Define, Develop' are taken as coding dimensions for the design scheme process, and ENA is used to identify network relationships between cognitive elements of different groups, visually expressing the cognitive characteristics of the design scheme construction process. Excellent groups demonstrate cognitive patterns of divergence to convergence, and in the ideation phase, they can deeply contemplate specific design modules. Strategies are proposed from the perspectives of design education, and selection of design thinking paths to assist in cultivating innovative thinking in environmental art design.