Provided is an article design support system featuring enhanced degree of freedom in terms of designing articles (for example, an article of furniture). A part space P surrounding a part incorporated in a cell space S is correlated with the cell space S, which is formed by a frame constituting a unit. The position (dimensions) of the part space P in the cell space S is defined by part space data specifying a relative position and relative dimensions using the cell space S as a reference. The position (dimensions) of a part in the part space P is defined by part (element) data specifying a relative position and relative dimensions using the part space P as a reference.