To sketch or not to sketch? That is the question

In this paper we question whether sketching is essential for conceptual designing. In order to test this hypothesis, we conducted think-aloud experiments with expert architects. They were engaged in two separate design processes: where they were not allowed sketch and where they were allowed to sketch. The comparison of design activities in these two conditions was based on a protocol analysis. The results show that there is no significant difference between sketching and not sketching based on three assessments: design outcome, cognitive activity and idea links. This case study shows that sketching is not an essential activity for expert architects in the early phases of conceptual designing. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.