Sketching as Design Thinking

This book argues for the importance of sketching as a mode of thinking, and the relevance of sketching in the design process, design education, and design practice. Through a wide range of analysis and discussion, the book looks at the history of sketching as a resource throughout the design process and asks questions such as: where does sketching come from? When did sketching become something different to drawing and how did that happen? What does sketching look like in the present day? Alongside an in-depth case study of students, teachers, and practitioners, this book includes a fascinating range of interviews with designers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including fashion, user experience, and architecture. Sketching as Design Thinking explains how drawing and sketching remain a prominent aspect in our learning and creative process, and provides a rich resource for students of visual art and design.

Alma R. Hoffmann teaches graphic design at the University of South Alabama. She is also a contributing editor at Smashing Magazine. She freelances and practices lettering and calligraphy. She has received several awards for her work, has written several articles, and presents her research on creativity and sketching at international and national conferences.

Introduction Chapter 1: Sketching: A short history Chapter 2: Sketching: Visual information processing Chapter 3: Interviews: What sketching means and looks like for other designers Chapter 4: Sketching: Purpose, attributes, and types of sketches Chapter 5: Sketching: Exercises and tools Chapter 6: Exploring beliefs and practices about sketching in higher education and in the design profession Appendix: Survey questions Bibliography Index