conceptual
adj.adj. related to ideas or principles rather than physical objects or practical details. You use this when talking about the mental plan for something before it is actually made.
adj. relating to or based on mental concepts and abstract ideas rather than physical reality or practical application. Often used to describe the initial stage of a design or a theoretical framework.
The architect presented a conceptual drawing of the new museum.
Before building the prototype, the engineering team spent months on the conceptual phase of the project.
While the artist's work is technically impressive, its true value lies in its conceptual depth, challenging the audience to rethink their relationship with digital privacy.
Borrowed from Medieval Latin conceptuālis, from Latin conceptus, perfect passive participle of concipiō (“take hold of; conceive”); see concept and -al.
Typically precedes the noun it modifies; often paired with 'framework', 'model', or 'design'.