To design versus to understand design: the role of graphic representations and verbal expressions

Abstract

T his study is based on the assumption that 'to design' and 'to understand design' are two related but distinct processes. The activity of design necessitates making decisions, comparing alternative routes to take to decide on one, and thinking in abstract terms for conceptualizing; thus, it is synthetic. On the other hand, the activity of understanding design is similar to reading, necessitates deciphering the thought process of the designer, making abstractions of relations, relating the design product to other examples; hence, it is analytical. As such, the common denominator between the two processes is the capacity of abstraction, ability of thinking in abstract terms. Yet, the nature and the medium of abstraction may not be the same for students with different tendencies. Here, it is argued that while the act of designing (synthesis) is primarily related with the ability of making visual abstractions (graphic analysis), 'correctly' judging a design product is related to the ability of making

Understanding the Effects of Cognition in Creative Decision Making: A Creativity Model for Enhancing the Design Studio Process

“…It is a stage at which harvesting, evaluation, idea development, enriching and expanding discovery takes place to prepare the person for the next step. He or she may alternate between rigorous sessions of imagery and representation at this stage, and when one of the options is chosen among alternatives, the next stage has begun (Akin & Akin, 1998;Jones, 1992;Kristensen, 2004;O'Neill & Shallcross, 1994;Ulusoy, 1999;von der Weth, 1999 (Akin & Akin, 1998;Jones, 1992;Kristensen, 2004;O'Neill & Shallcross, 1994). 5.…”

“…Recreation: To determine full message content and express it by various methods, such as drawing. The person checks and controls the final representation for missing parts, finishes it off, and resolves it (Akin & Akin, 1998;Jones, 1992;Kristensen, 2004;O'Neill & Shallcross, 1994;Ulusoy, 1999).…”

The Difficulties of DESIGN TRAIN-ing

“…Design education essentially deals with teaching how to design, moreover, rather ideally, with guiding students to discover their own ways of designing (Ulusoy, 1999).…”

Beleška O Problemu Složenosti Arhitektonskog Projektovanja I Njegovog Učenja

“…According to this author, it was Cross [22, p. 201] who described the "use of drawings as designerly ways of knowing, thinking and doing". Furthermore, Crowther noted that Ulosoy [23] pointed out the direct relationship between drawing and designing, and described understanding designing as being related to the linguistic faculties, and the act of designing as being related to visual thinking. Thus, the analysis presents a verbal activity, and synthesis a graphic activity.…”