Multidisciplinary design behaviour using sketching and mental imagery: a literature review and considerations for future research

The main behavioural characteristics of the early design stage are that designers move freely between various levels of detail and different cognitive strategies; this is the central tenet of this research. The interplay between the role of sketching and mental imagery during the design process is somewhat mysterious. It is assumed, but not known, how externalisation assists the imagery process and vice versa. In an attempt to demystify this interplay, this paper examines observable behaviour associated with the act of sketching and using mental imagery. It reviews established protocol analytical methods based on two criteria: cognitive strategies and ability to be applied in different design domains. Also, it evaluates the appropriacy of seminal coding schemes for the analysis of mental imagery to better understand moments of insight (idea generation). It concludes that established coding schemes are inadequate methods when used to facilitate analysis of cognitive strategies.