ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we focus on the ubiquitous design sketch as means to represent, express and communicate design ideas at various levels of ambiguity, fidelity and during different phases of the design process. We begin by reviewing sketching types, various terms used to describe different types of Sketches, their physical properties (i.e. line-thicknesses, composition and elements) and their purpose related to design thinking, communication and the design process (Section 4.1). The section includes various taxonomy, classification and categorization of sketch representations along different dimensions and approaches to definition (i.e. purpose of use, stage of use in process, physical qualities of the sketch representation). Following a discussion of the state-of-the-art in the taxonomy of sketch representation, following sections provide details of nine sketch representation types. The sequence of chapter sections (Sections 4.2–4.10) broadly follows levels of ambiguity and fidelity in sketch representation, together with stage in design process used and related purpose of use (Sections 4.4–4.6). In order to better ground the theoretical discussion of various sketch representations, the chapter concludes by providing examples of the application of Sketches in practice. This is achieved through a case study of design where various Sketches are used to drive the conceptual design, development and implementation of a project aimed at new product development (Section 4.11).
