Sketching (Autumn 2024)

Abstract

The course introduces students to sketching as an attitude and approach in a design and development process of interactive technologies. The course offers techniques to develop sketches in different formats and dimensions (2d, 3d, 4d), and as such enables students to express and develop ideas through various modes of externalization and at various stages of a design process. It asks students to reflect on the influence of the sketching method in a larger design process.

Description

Sketching is central to any process of design. It refers to the externalization of often vague ideas and their manifestation in the world. This manifestation can play multiple roles, and in this course, it is particularly conceptualized as a mode of thinking on the one hand and to express a design intention on the other. As such, the course will provide students with a multitude of sketching techniques and asks students to explore their utility in a design process. The different techniques are classified according to different dimensions, ranging from 2D to 4D. With reference to 2D the course will cover pen on surface sketches (e.g. napkins, paper, card, etc.) and graphic design software (e.g. vector based and pixel. based); with reference to 3D the course will cover sketching with physical materials (e.g. clay, 3D card or paper models) and 3D CAD software; and with reference to 4D, the course will cover techniques that can capture time and interaction (e.g. acting out, storyboarding, scenario building, video and animation). The course work will be centered around a simple design exercise for which the different sketching techniques are employed. The exam deliverable asks students to present their portfolio of sketches and reflect on the qualities of sketching in their design process on both a general and technique specific level.

Formal prerequisites

Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the properties of a sketch and the different roles of sketching in the design process
• Deliver sketches in different formats and dimensions (2D, 3D, 4D) and organize them as part of a design process
• Reflect on the characteristics of a sketch in relation to the stage in the design process in which they are employed

Ordinary exam

Exam type:
C: Submission of written work, External (7-point scale)