A qualitative study of the design process: the effects of a microcomputing system on beginning design students

Abstract

The goal of this study is to describe the effects of a micro computer on the design process. In a beginning design studio class, students were required to produce a two dimensional design by traditional methods, pen on paper, and then alternatively with a paint package on a micro computer. All the work produced, from working drawings or preliminary solutions to final design, of a group of these students has been described and analyzed. Also, an interview with each student in the group was conducted to have the students personally describe what they considered to be their design process. These evaluations and descriptions are compared to identify common deviations in the design process when using the computer as a design tool. The study concludes with explanations for the deviant behavior and suggestions for further areas of research.