Differences in sketches and mental imagery in ideation stage of novice designer

Previous empirical studies in sketches and mental imagery showed that there is no significant difference in overall quality and possibility to use mental imagery as design tool. This preliminary study explores distinctions between two kinds of sessions in terms of how ideas are generated. Four design sessions of two novice designers are used to unveil differences. Based on preliminary results, physical properties of sketches underlie differences, also the availability of visual cues apart from the drawings itself. During interpretation stage, sketches provides an additional dialogue which is not available in mental imagery session. The use of mental imagery as design tool in novice designers vary and may not as effective as in experts. Pauses and gesture in both sessions are found to be fundamental designing aspects, including in environment when sketches are allowed. When crucial differences are no longer assumed, interplaying roles between the two can then be explored furthe

Interplay of sketches and mental imagery in the design ideation stage of novice designers

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group This paper seeks to understand the interplay between the acts of pen-and-paper-based sketching and the use of mental imagery. A protocol study of four novice designers was conducted in two different environments: with access to sketches only; and blindfolded and delayed sketches. In total there were eight 45 minute design sessions. This study confirms that sketches and mental imagery support ideation stages in unique ways and both are equally germane. Identified interplaying roles when only sketches are utilized are: supporting, co-evolving, and reflecting roles. In addition, interplay can happen at the exact moment or distantly; and the order of an interplay depends on the designers’ strategy. In sessions where sketches are for externalizing design proposals only at the end, identified roles are: generative and provocative to idea exploration. It is also observed that gesture does not compensate for the absence of external representation, although it conveys important design messages

Multidisciplinary design behaviour using sketching and mental imagery: a literature review and considerations for future research

© Springer India 2015. The main behavioural characteristics of the early design stage are that designers move freely between various levels of detail and different cognitive strategies; this is the central tenet of this research. The interplay between the role of sketching and mental imagery during the design process is somewhat mysterious. It is assumed, but not known, how externalisation assists the imagery process and vice versa. In an attempt to demystify this interplay, this paper examines observable behaviour associated with the act of sketching and using mental imagery. It reviews established protocol analytical methods based on two criteria: cognitive strategies and ability to be applied in different design domains. Also, it evaluates the appropriacy of seminal coding schemes for the analysis of mental imagery to better understand moments of insight (idea generation). It concludes that established coding schemes are inadequate methods when used to facilitate analysis of cognitive strategies

Multidisciplinary design behaviour using sketching and mental imagery: a literature review and considerations for future research

The main behavioural characteristics of the early design stage are that designers move freely between various levels of detail and different cognitive strategies; this is the central tenet of this research. The interplay between the role of sketching and mental imagery during the design process is somewhat mysterious. It is assumed, but not known, how externalisation assists the imagery process and vice versa. In an attempt to demystify this interplay, this paper examines observable behaviour associated with the act of sketching and using mental imagery. It reviews established protocol analytical methods based on two criteria: cognitive strategies and ability to be applied in different design domains. Also, it evaluates the appropriacy of seminal coding schemes for the analysis of mental imagery to better understand moments of insight (idea generation). It concludes that established coding schemes are inadequate methods when used to facilitate analysis of cognitive strategies