Sketching and Contextual Input: Exploring Creativity in Design Groups

Bønnerup, Michael ; Rasenthiran, Thulasika

4. term (INF10 - Master Thesis)

Informatics, Master

2011

2011-06-06

23

Creative idea generation in design groups is often hindered by social dynamics such as production blocking and evaluation apprehension, and relying on sketching alone does not always resolve these issues. This thesis investigates whether contextual input (context cues) combined with sketching can stimulate creativity during early ideation. We propose three hypotheses: that appropriately presented contextual input can (1) support individuals and groups in the creative process, (2) promote more innovative thinking, and (3) expand access to a broader spectrum of knowledge. Six brainsketching sessions with 15 experienced designers were conducted: two with concrete cues, two with abstract cues, and two without stimulation. Sketching served as the primary interaction medium, and effects were assessed using linkography to analyze participants’ linking behavior. The findings support all three hypotheses: contextual input produced 25% higher linking behavior, cue-supported sessions yielded a larger share of novel ideas, abstract cues led to more tangential links, and participants showed a tendency toward fewer self-links under contextual input, indicating broader knowledge activation. The study suggests that well-designed contextual input can enhance sketching-based group ideation and mitigate some group-related barriers.

Kreativ idéudvikling i designgrupper hæmmes ofte af sociale mekanismer som produktionsblokering og vurderingsangst, og brugen af ren sketching afhjælper ikke altid disse udfordringer. Dette speciale undersøger, om kontekstuelle input (context cues) kombineret med sketching kan stimulere kreativiteten i idéfasen. Vi opstiller tre hypoteser: at kontekstuelle input i den rette form kan (1) støtte både individ og gruppe i den kreative proces, (2) fremme mere innovativ tænkning og (3) give adgang til et bredere vidensspektrum. Seks brainsketching-sessioner med i alt 15 erfarne designere blev gennemført: to med konkrete cues, to med abstrakte cues og to uden stimulation. Sketching fungerede som primær interaktion, og effekten blev målt via linkography af deltagernes linking behaviour. Resultaterne understøtter alle tre hypoteser: kontekstuelle input gav 25 % højere linking behaviour, sessioner med cues producerede en større andel nyskabende idéer, abstrakte cues førte til flere tangentiale links, og deltagerne viste en tendens til færre self-links under påvirkning af cues, hvilket indikerer bredere vidensaktivering. Studiet peger på, at veltilrettelagte kontekstuelle input kan styrke skitseringsbaseret idéudvikling og afbøde nogle grupperelaterede barrierer.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]

Download PDF
View record in AAU Student Projects

Bønnerup, Michael:

• Fra sketch til design: En kontekstcentreret designmetode (2011)

Rasenthiran, Thulasika:

• Fra sketch til design: En kontekstcentreret designmetode (2011)