Design tools as agents of disclosure

摘要

This paper investigates the nature and use of existing tools during a design task as a means of gathering information concerning practitioners' conception of that activity. Three case studies are reported and a number of conclusions are drawn concerning the nature of design tools and in particular the interdependencies revealed between freehand drawing, physical modelling and CAD. The role of visualisation within design is considered in the context of its support by these tools and critically how the various techniques developed by the designers' impact on their conception of the design activity. The paper concludes by considering the relationship between designer and technology as a co-operative partnership and outlines a number of nascent requirements for the design of technology aimed at supporting the early creative phase of design.