Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sketching: Friend or Foe to the Novice Designer?

  • Published:
International Journal of Technology and Design Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Previous research by one of the authors showed that novice designers do not use sketching as a way to generate, develop and communicate design proposals, but move immediately to three-dimensional modelling. Neither do they generate multiple solutions.

The follow-up study described here addressed the questions: Does teaching two-dimensional modelling enable Grade 7 pupils to better express their ideas and organize their thoughts? What role does discussion play in pupils' attempts to generate a design proposal? Does the use of contextualising items make a difference to pupils' success with designing?

Eight Grade 7 pupils were drawn from each of two classes. One class had received instruction in sketching; the other served as a control group. Each group of eight pupils was divided into single-sex dyads. The eight dyads were videotaped while producing a solution to a common design brief. Analysis of the data has provided insights into the effects of instruction on the proposals produced by pupils. Additionally, their ability to generate, develop and communicate design ideas is enhanced by both the dynamic relationship between pupils' talk and 3D modelling and the way the task is contextualised.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Anning, A.: 1993, ‘Technological Capability in Primary Classrooms’, in J. S. Smith (ed.), IDATER93: International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, 36-42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer, B.: 1979, ‘The Three Rs’, Design Studies 1(1), 18-20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlex, D.: 1994, ‘A Comparison Between the Nature of Modelling in Science and Design and Technology’, in F. Banks (ed.), Teaching Technology, Routledge, London, 74-81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlex, D.: 1995, Nuffield Design and Technology: Student's Book, Longman, Harlow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brett, D.: 1986, ‘Drawing and the Ideology of Industrialization’, Design Issues: History, Theory, Criticism 3(2), 59-72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Constable, H.: 1994b, ‘A Study of Aspects of Design and Technology Capability at Key Stage 1 and 2’, in J. S. Smith (ed.), IDATER94: International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, 9-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross, N.: 1994, Engineering Design Methods: Strategies for Product Design (2nd ed.), John Wiley, Chichester, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darke, J.: 1979, ‘The Primary Generator and the Design Process’, Design Studies 1(1), 36-44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, T.: 1996, ‘Modelling and Creativity in Design and Technology’, in J. S. Smith (ed.), IDATER96: International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, 16-21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for Education: no date, Why Design and Technology? HMSO, London.

  • Department for Education: 1995, Design and Technology in the National Curriculum, HMSO, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman, C. M.: 1970, ‘On the Analysis of Intuitive Design Processes’, in G. T. Moore (ed.), Emerging Methods in Environmental Design and Planning. Proceedings of the Design Methods Group First International Conference, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 21-37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, M. & Wormald, P.: 1993, ‘The Future Role of Virtual and Physical Modelling in Industrial Design’, in J. S. Smith (ed.), IDATER93: International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, 97-101.

    Google Scholar 

  • French, T. E., Svensen, C. L., Helsel, J. D. & Urbanick, B.: 1977, Mechanical Drawing, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner, S.: 1994, ‘The Importance of Graphic Modelling in Design Activity’, in F. Banks (ed.), Teaching Technology, Routledge, London, 68-73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garratt, J.: 1991, Design and Technology, Cambridge University, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldschmidt, G.: 1991, ‘The Dialectics of Sketching’, Creativity Research Journal 4, 123-143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gradwell, J. B., Welch, M. & Martin, E.: 1996a, Technology: Shaping Our World (3rd ed.), Goodheart-Willcox, South Holland, Illinois.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gradwell, J. B., Welch, M. & Martin, E.: 1996b, Technology: Shaping Our World, Activity Manual (3rd ed.), Goodheart-Willcox, South Holland, Illinois.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gradwell, J. B., Welch, M. & Martin, E.: 1996c, Technology: Shaping Our World, Teacher's Book (3rd ed.), Goodheart-Willcox, South Holland, Illinois.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennessy, S. & Murphy, P.: 1999, ‘The Potential for Collaborative Problem Solving in Design and Technology’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 9, 1-36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, D. M.: 1993, Architectural Study Drawings, Von Nostrand Reinhold, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery, J. R.: 1991, ‘An Investigation into the Effect of Systematic Design Methods in Craft, Design and Technology (CDT)’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 1(3), 141-157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnsey, R.: 1995, ‘The Design Process-Does it Exist? A Critical Review of Published Models for the Design Process in England and Wales’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 5, 199-217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kafai, Y. B.: 1995, Minds in Play: Computer Game Design as a Context for Children's Learning, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimbell, R.: 1997, Assessing Technology: International trends in Curriculum and Assessment, Open University, Buckingham, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liddament, T.: 1993, ‘Using Models in Design and Technology Education: Some Conceptual and Pedagogic Issues’, in J. S. Smith (ed.), IDATER93: International Conference on Design and Technology Educational Research and Curriculum Development, Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough, 15-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, R. K.: 1993, ‘Constructing a Mental Representation from an Abstract Technical Diagram’, Learning and Instruction 3, 157-179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyle, S.: 1996, ‘An Analysis of Collaborative Group Work in the Primary School and Factors Relevant to its Success’, Language and Education 10(1), 13-32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education and Training: 1995, Broad-based Technological Education, Grades 10, 11 and 12, Queen's Printer, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education and Training: 1998, The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8: Science and Technology, Queen's Printer, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P. & Davidson, M.: 1998, Evaluation-Second Phase: Nuffield Design and Technology in the Primary Curriculum, The Open University: Milton Keynes, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office for Standards in Education.: 1998, Secondary Education 1993-97: A Review of Secondary Schools in England, OfStEd, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olszweski, E. J.: 1981, The Draughtsman's Eye: Late Renaissance Schools and Styles, Cleveland Museum of Art/Indiana University, Cleveland, OH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, J.: 1998, ‘You Shouldn't be Talking, You Should be Getting on with Your Work!’, Nuffield Design and Technology upDaTe 3(2), 17-18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell, T.: 1998, ‘Editorial’, Design Studies 19(4), 385-387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: 1999, The Review of the National Curriculum in England: The Consultation Materials, QCA, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, E.: 1997, Why Architects Draw, MIT, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schenk, P.: 1997, ‘The Role of Drawing in Graphic Design and the Implications for Curriculum Planning’, Journal of Art and Design Education 16(1), 73-82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schön, D. A.: 1987, Educating the Reflective Practitioner: Toward a New Design for Teaching and Learning in the Professions, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, J.: 1993, ‘Some Differences Between Science and Technology’, in R. McCormick, C. Newey & J. Sparkes (eds.), Technology for Technology Education, Addison-Wesley, Wokingham, UK, 25-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Temple, S.: 1994, ‘Thought Made Visible-the Value of Sketching’, Co-design Journal 1, 16-25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tipping, C.: 1983, ‘Acquiring Design Skills for Teaching-a Self-help Suggestion’, Studies in Design Education, Craft and Technology 16(1), 12-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L.: 1986, Thought and Language, Cambridge, MA: MIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, M.: 1996, The Strategies Used by Ten Grade 7 Students, Working in Single-Sex Dyads, to Solve a Technological Problem, Unpublished doctoral dissertation, McGill University, Montreal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, M.: 1998, ‘Students’ Use of Three-Dimensional Modelling while Designing and Making a Solution to a Technological Problem’, International Journal of Technology and Design Education 8, 241-260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Malcolm Welch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David Barlex
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hee Sook Lim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Welch, M., Barlex, D. & Lim, H.S. Sketching: Friend or Foe to the Novice Designer?. International Journal of Technology and Design Education 10, 125–148 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008991319644

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008991319644

Search

Navigation