The purpose of this article is to identify the specifics of conceptualizing the concept of “political design” in Russian political science. It is established that political design attracts the attention of scholars recognizing the importance of understanding the possibilities and limitations of transformative activity in politics. However, the identification of political design is characterized by inconsistency, manifested both in the ambiguity of definitions of basic concepts (design, project) and in the semantic interpretation of their political content. Both general reasons for the difficulties of conceptualizing political design, associated primarily with the methodological pluralism of political science, and specific ones associated with the characteristics of political design as a complex phenomenon are identified. A clear bias in the interpretation of political design is noted towards its definition as a value-oriented activity aimed at constructing an image of the desired future. The methodology of design, describing the subject area and methods of project work, remains in the shadows. Issues requiring in-depth scholarly discussion are identified, and it is concluded that delays in their discussion contribute to the formation of a skeptical attitude toward political design.