thesis work.

think with your pencil

finding unique design solutions through human-centered, tactile problem-solving

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The purpose of this research is to explore how pencil to paper thinking and traditional materials are tied to creativity, productivity, and the functionality of the design process. In our current digital age, the use of traditional pencil to paper thinking is becoming a secondary source of creative ideation in the field of visual design. Research indicates that ideation made with analog tools such as pencil and paper enables designers to explore their ideas unreservedly without getting distracted by details in the early stages of their creative process (Lipson and Shpitalni 2000). The goal is to encourage the skill of thinking with your hands, particularly in graphic design, where the focus has shifted to predominately digital problem-solving. The skill of thinking with your hands has become deemphasized. Today, there is a virtually unlimited library of visual resources that include basic, easily accessible design solutions. Because the Internet is filled with unending design tutorials, pre-made design solutions, and inspiration sites, the role of a design educator is to enable visual literacy while guiding students through the use of tools—both tactile and digital.

Education and creation in the field of visual design tend to direct their focus on the final results of design; the design process is seldom an issue for discussion (Lu 2). Because of this, creative processes have evolved with less focus on original exploration and “hands-on” development. When asked, students often replied that they lacked opportunities to explore sketching as a developed skill due to time restraints and polished, realistic expectations (Jonson). With focus being redirected to the process, we would see more tactile problem-solving, and, in turn, an increase in creative thinking and original design solutions. Sketching and tactile problem-solving can be seen as a form of independent thinking and a crucial part of visual development for designers. As educators, the culture around thinking with your pencil should be emphasized and appreciated in the classroom setting.  

This study will explore ways to help designers and educators understand the power of human-centered tactile ideation. It will also encourage the development of traditional physical tools and practices and how to reemphasize those practices into the exploration and creative processes in tandem with technology.