This paper aims to clarify the functions of metaphors in design thinking of architectural design. Especially we focused on divergent and convergent processes. In order to find the mechanism of design process, we applied the method “Linkography” to the analysis of protocols in design experiment. Then, we described the design processes as conceptual graphs, and analyzed them. Through these analysis, we found some functions of metaphors in the divergent and convergent processes. The results are as follows. 1) Metaphorical thinking generates a lot of ideas and their interpretations in a very short time. 2) Metaphors connect some ideas even if they are generated at remote time. 3) In divergent process, designers think about concepts only in the base domain. 4) In convergent process, designers think about concepts both in base domain and target domain through connecting two domains by metaphors.
