Analyzing patterns of writing and sketching in the product design process

Abstract

Design notebooks, or logbooks, are typically used to record notes during the design process. These notes consist of text entries as well as sketches with varying levels of detail. Previous research on the design process has focused on sketches, including their effect on design outcome, differences based on prior sketching experience, and more. This paper looks at the interplay between text entries and sketches in design notebooks, and analyzes patterns that appear over the course of the design process. Data collected from eighteen logbooks from the class Design-a-palooza shows that trends exist between writings and drawings in the design process. The results of analysis of this data show that the number of sketches in a logbook increases following drawing instruction, and the design process typically starts with more text entries in logbooks, including customer needs research, followed by this increased number of sketches and then a decrease in all entries as prototyping occurs. The analysis was inconclusive in determining if students who write more ideas with text will sketch fewer ideas, as well as the relationship between partners' logbook entries. Recommendations for future research in these areas of design research are presented.