Using suitable design media appropriately: Understanding how designers interact with sketching and CAD modelling in design processes. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shih, Yi Teng; Sher, William D.; Taylor, Mark
• Is Part Of: Design studies. Volume 53(2017)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: design processes -- computer aided design -- protocol analysis -- switching behaviour -- mixed media design environments; Design -- Periodicals; 745.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.destud.2017.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-694X

Abstract

Abstract : This paper investigates the roles of sketching and computer-aid-design modelling in mixed media design environments, and how switching behaviours could impact on them. Six designers participated in a protocol study in which their activities were video recorded. The recordings were coded using the Function-Behaviour-Structure coding scheme. Having completed their tasks, participants reviewed the recordings and were asked to explain their switching behaviours. A three-level coding scheme for analysing switching behaviours was adapted from relevant literature. The results show that both sketching and CAD modelling played a markedly similar role in the design process because the design media selected suited the designers' needs. Moreover, our proposed three types of switching behaviours supported designers in perception, media and concept levels during designing. Highlights: Both sketching and CAD modelling played a markedly similar role in mixed media design environments. We proposed three types of switching behaviours: eyes' switching, single switching and integrated switching. These switching behaviours appropriately supported designers in perception, media and concept levels in the design process. Concept-level switching behaviour can merge two design mediums into a single design medium. The concept-level switching behaviour has considerable potential to transform the design process into a creative design process.