Dimensional State-Space Design Metaphors: Using Dimensional Language Without Physics Claims

This paper establishes dimensional language as a constrained interpretive device within applied systems and design discourse. It defines dimensional terminology as metaphorical shorthand for representing increasing degrees of freedom in system state over time, while explicitly rejecting physical, mathematical, and ontological dimensional claims. The paper distinguishes layering from extension, clarifies temporal state evolution without invoking dynamical modelling, and formalises dimensional language as selective isomorphic mapping. It identifies common failure modes of dimensional metaphor and establishes safeguards to prevent category error and conceptual drift. This work operates as an interpretive methods paper within the Atlas 4.0 programme. It introduces no mathematical derivation, no predictive framework, and no explanatory mechanism. Dimensional terminology is treated strictly as representational compression for design clarity.