doodling and sketching

The act of sketching is an integral part of the creative process at the early stages of concept development. Three aspects of sketching constitute salient and unique characteristics.

- First, intuitive externalisation – subconscious exploration of the problem space and dynamic idea generation.

- Second, ambiguity of components and their relationships – implying fluidity of the captured structure and inviting ongoing interpretation.

- Third, expression of an unfinished/rough state – a form still open to changes and likely to stimulate further exploration and one which clearly isn't indicative of the aesthetic intentions for the final design.

The first is by far the most critical aspect and one that is least understood. The physical aspect of sketching is often recognised as a bridge between the idea 'in the head' and its representation in the world. The process of informally expressing uncertain ideas appears to have an energising quality of experiencing the emergence of new insights and a dialogue with the resulting form.

I'll offer an analogy which may help to explain this phenomenon; Doodling on paper when one is waiting or bored, presents a comprehensible scenario. The activity begins without specific intentions and is predominantly a physical act, but in time it transforms towards an explicit refinement of the emerging features. The later intentions are motivated by subliminal exploration of the rough form which itself provokes or suggests possible interpretations.

An issue related to this analogy arises in context of a widely accepted hypothesis that conceptual sketching with computer tools takes on a different and an inferior work-flow pattern. For example, Vinod Goel of UC Berkeley studied designers generating ideas by sketching on paper or using a drawing program. He noted that the designers sketching freehand quickly followed the initial idea with several versions. However, those who used a drawing program tended to focus on refining the initial design, instead of generating additional variations.

Therefore, the question is; do we have any evidence that people doodle with their computer tools? I've never observed this to be true in my extensive experience with graphic and design professionals who are constantly exposed to an environment most suitable to facilitate behaviours like doodling. Perhaps my analogy confirms the hypothesis of the diminished productivity in computer based idea generation and innovative problem solving tasks.