Abstract
“Metaphorical thinking” is a strategy which helps designers to understand unfamiliar design problems and
to adapt them to familiar conditions. This approach, which has been a prevalent one in recent years, is very
effective to promote the stage designer’s thinking and creativity and developing a schema. This research is
adjusted for the purpose of assessing the functions of metaphor, focusing on stage design creativity. Overall,
this paper is an applied research conducted by using descriptive and analytical methods. To conduct the
theoretical bases of the research, while developing definite frameworks in defining metaphor related to the
problem and solution context, the effect of metaphor on stage design is provided methodically and with
classification and valuation of metaphors using case studies. The findings indicate that metaphorical stage
design, by means of play analysis and design problems investigation, and creative search process, has a
unique role in performance innovation and creativity.
