Week 2 Reading Reflection
DM-GY 6053 B Ideation & Prototyping
Theorizing Sketching & Craftsmanship
The lecture delivered a compelling insight into the world of design, shedding light on the pivotal role that sketching plays in visual ideation and problem exploration. It’s a process that has stood the test of time, proving to be an indispensable tool for designers across various disciplines.
What particularly piqued my interest during the lecture was the historical perspective on the iterative process. It was fascinating to learn how some of the early proponents of Design Making Moves (DMM) eventually distanced themselves from their earlier work, recognizing the undeniable value of craftsmanship, hands-on making, and the art of prototyping in the design process. This transformation in perspective underscores the dynamic nature of design, where the journey often leads to fresh insights and a deeper appreciation for the craft.
The lecture emphasized that the iterative process is not exclusive to design but holds universal significance. It resonates with any endeavor that seeks to evolve and improve over time. This concept of ongoing refinement is not confined to the design realm alone; it permeates various aspects of our lives and professional pursuits.
The lecture left me with a profound realization that continuous thinking and iteration are integral components of progress and development, transcending the boundaries of design. Whether we are crafting innovative solutions, enhancing our skills, or refining our approach to any challenge, the iterative process serves as a guiding principle, reminding us of the potential for continuous improvement in all our endeavors.
Bill Buxton, Sketching User Experiences
Buxton introduces that sketching is a fundamental skill for designers, and it should be used not just for documenting ideas but for generating and refining them. Sketching is a means of thinking and problem-solving in the design process.
I agree with that the iterative approach helps designers continually refine the sketches and prototypes based on user feedback and evolving ideas. Drawing on my previous undergraduate learning experience in industrial design, sketching helps me to refine my ideas and come up with better solutions, and communicate with my peers and professors intuitively.
Also, sketching helps to capture immediate inspiration and ideas. I remember one of Ross Lovegrove’s sketches of his water bottle design for Ty Nant (Fig. 1). His rapid sketching directly describes the motion of the flowing water.
Fig.1 Image Credit: https://tynant.com/the-bottle/
Sketching: The Visual Thinking Power Tool
This article, similar with Buxton’s idea, focuses on the importance of sketching in the design and UX fields. Rohde encourages people to keep sketches loose, and it’s fine that ugly sketches work well. I agree with this idea, because the loose sketches help me brainstorming and thinking quickly. And most time, my big ideas come from those loose sketches. Also, I bring sketchbook to art museums or during trips to document some interesting moments.
One of the intriguing aspects of the creative journey is the ongoing debate surrounding physical versus digital tools. As a creative enthusiast, I prefer the physical tools. The tactile sensation and the tangible feedback they offer create an intimate connection with the creative process that’s hard to replicate digitally.
However, there’s a catch, and it’s one that many of us who have embraced digital platforms can relate to. The ‘undo’ feature, while a savior in many digital scenarios, sometimes becomes a hurdle when we’re trying to capture the raw essence of our ideas on paper. The ability to erase and revise endlessly can hinder the spontaneous and organic flow that often characterizes traditional sketching.
In this ongoing discussion, it’s fascinating to ponder the impact of these contrasting toolsets on our creative processes. The choice between physical and digital tools ultimately depends on personal preferences and the specific requirements of each project.
The Miseducation of the Doodle
Brown emphasizes that doodling is a simple yet powerful tool that doesn’t require special qualifications or artistic skills by telling the story that a student who succeed in chemistry field by using doodle as her learning method.
I agree with that strategic doodling serves as a visual thinking tool to help the team explore and generate innovative ideas. I’ve had firsthand experience with this powerful technique in a team project where we were tasked with envisioning the future user experience for a hospital.
We used the mind mapping to organize the vast wealth of information we had gathered during a field trip to a hospital. The intricate web of insights and observations found a logical structure on our canvas as we connected the dots, quite literally, to create a mind map that encapsulated the essence of our findings.
As we transitioned into the visual brainstorming phase, we unleashed our creativity by doodling which encourages free exploration of concepts and ideas. What made this process particularly intuitive was our capacity to label related ideas and concepts.
The iterative refinement process allowed us to go back and forth, making refinements, adjustments, and enhancements. Strategic doodling had transformed our team’s ideation process into a captivating visual narrative, one that breathed life into our vision for the future user experience in hospital.
