Short answer

Recognize that a sketch can be a personal thinking tool and a communication device simultaneously, and adapt your use of it accordingly throughout the design project.

Field: Modelling
Source: Nordic design research conference (2015)
Method: Literature Review and Conceptual Framework Development
Evidence: Moderate effect

Sketches in design serve a dual purpose, acting as both a tool for internal visual thinking and external communication, with their primary function shifting based on project needs. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Nordic design research conference. Using Literature review and conceptual framework development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Recognize that a sketch can be a personal thinking tool and a communication device simultaneously, and adapt your use of it accordingly throughout the design project.

Study

ModellingHigh ImpactModerate effect

Sketching's Dual Role: Visual Thinking vs. Communication

Sketches in design serve a dual purpose, acting as both a tool for internal visual thinking and external communication, with their primary function shifting based on project needs.

Nordic design research conference · 2015

Key Findings

01Design sketching is predominantly viewed through two lenses: internal visual thinking and external visual communication.
02A single sketch can serve multiple functions (investigative, explorative, communicative, persuasive) and its emphasis can change throughout a design project.
03Integrating these functions offers a more comprehensive understanding of sketching's role.

Application

Design takeaway

Recognize that a sketch can be a personal thinking tool and a communication device simultaneously, and adapt your use of it accordingly throughout the design project.

How to apply

When creating or reviewing a sketch, consciously consider whether its primary purpose at that moment is for your own idea generation and refinement, or for conveying information and gaining feedback from others.

Project actions

01When documenting your sketching process, clearly label whether a sketch is primarily for personal exploration or for communication with others.
02Consider how the audience for your sketches might influence their form and content.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the distinct functions of sketching in design—visual thinking and visual communication—be integrated to create a more holistic understanding of its role in the design process?

MethodLiterature Review and Conceptual Framework Development

ProcedureThe research reviewed existing literature on design sketching, identifying two dominant perspectives: 'visual thinking' (designer's internal dialogue with the sketch) and 'visual communication' (sketching for others). It then proposed a framework that integrates these perspectives by categorizing sketching functions into investigative, explorative, communicative, and persuasive roles, acknowledging that a single sketch can embody multiple functions and shift in emphasis over time.

ContextDesign Process

Variables

IVFunction of sketch (visual thinking vs. visual communication)

DVEffectiveness of sketch in design process

CVType of design project, designer's experience level, tools used for sketching

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a nuanced perspective on sketching beyond simplistic definitions.
+Offers a useful framework for analyzing the role of sketches in design.

Limitations

It can be challenging to definitively separate the 'visual thinking' and 'communication' aspects of a single sketch, as they often overlap.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the interpretation of existing literature. Empirical studies would be needed to establish the reliability of categorizing sketches into specific functions and to measure their effectiveness.

Think critically

To what extent can a single sketch truly fulfill both internal thinking and external communication roles effectively without compromise?

Design Principles

"Sketches are dynamic tools that can serve both internal cognitive processes and external communicative needs, with their functional emphasis evolving with project context."

Understanding this duality is crucial for designers to effectively leverage sketching throughout the design process. Recognizing whether a sketch is primarily for personal exploration or for conveying ideas to stakeholders can optimize its use and improve design outcomes.

What This Means for Your Design

Sketches are super useful because they help you think through ideas in your head, but they're also great for showing your ideas to other people. The same sketch might be used for both, and what it's best for can change as you work on your design.

How to use in your project

1.Discuss how your sketching activities served both personal ideation (visual thinking) and external communication needs within your design project.
2.Analyze how the function of your sketches evolved as your design project progressed.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The design process involved extensive use of sketching, which served a dual role. Initially, sketches functioned primarily as a tool for internal visual thinking, facilitating exploration and refinement of concepts. As the project progressed, these same sketches also became crucial for visual communication, enabling clear articulation of design ideas to stakeholders and facilitating collaborative feedback, demonstrating the dynamic and multifaceted nature of sketching in design practice.

Source

Nordic design research conference

The roles of sketching in design: Mapping the tension between functions in design sketches

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about sketching's dual role: visual thinking vs. communication?: Recognize that a sketch can be a personal thinking tool and a communication device simultaneously, and adapt your use of it accordingly throughout the design project. Evidence: Nordic design research conference (2015).
Why does "Sketching's Dual Role: Visual Thinking vs. Communication" matter for design?: Understanding this duality is crucial for designers to effectively leverage sketching throughout the design process. Recognizing whether a sketch is primarily for personal exploration or for conveying ideas to stakeholders can optimize its use and improve design outcomes.
How can designers apply this research?: Recognize that a sketch can be a personal thinking tool and a communication device simultaneously, and adapt your use of it accordingly throughout the design project.
What were the main findings?: Design sketching is predominantly viewed through two lenses: internal visual thinking and external visual communication.. A single sketch can serve multiple functions (investigative, explorative, communicative, persuasive) and its emphasis can change throughout a design project.. Integrating these functions offers a more comprehensive understanding of sketching's role.
What research method was used?: Literature Review and Conceptual Framework Development.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Nordic design research conference.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When creating or reviewing a sketch, consciously consider whether its primary purpose at that moment is for your own idea generation and refinement, or for conveying information and gaining feedback from others.
What are the limitations?: The study is based on a review of existing literature and conceptualization, rather than empirical testing of the proposed framework with active designers.