Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

During the design process, designers develop concepts as tentative solutions to address one or more requirements of the problem at hand. These concepts are evaluated through various media, like drawings and models, which help assess both their quantitative and qualitative aspects. To test the quantitative elements and data of a concept, designers typically rely on objective, detailed, and measurable media. Tools like CAD software excel in producing precise bottom-up drawings that provide clarity and accuracy. However, when it comes to evaluating the qualitative aspects, such as the phenomenological experience of objects and spaces, the design media should mimic the experience of visiting a building. This means that media for testing qualities should be subjective, holistic (top-down), unfocused (faded), personal, and associative (relative). Hand-drawn sketches, made with tools like paint, soft pens, or crayons, seem to be more suited for this purpose. Their ambiguity encourages creative processes such as analogy, mutation, and combination, essential for early-stage design exploration. it is the integration of both quantitative and qualitative media that enhances overall design quality. The softness and ‘unsharpness’ of sketches encourage designers to focus on the fundamental aspects of their concepts. In contrast, the precision offered by fine pens or CAD tools allows for meticulous detailing. Ultimately, it is this interplay between cad-drawings and hand drawn sketches that makes a design process succesful.