This thesis describes a reflective practice research project which explores the potential for
taking the technology to the drawing surface in generative drawing for industrial design
practice.
The research arose from an apparent contradiction between my own experience of the
usefulness of ‘paper and pencil’ generative drawing in professional practice and the
experience of others in the field. They appeared to be, publicly at least, questioning or
dismissing the relevance of ‘traditional’ methods of design idea generation and manipulation
in favour of a professional practice that was completely computer based. I developed an
approach to this apparent contradiction which involved consciously bringing the two
contradictory extremes together and turning the problem upside down to consider the
potential for taking technology to the generative drawing site; the physical work space. This
approach was made with a view to qualitatively assessing its resultant benefits and
hindrances in relation to the goal driven activity of generative drawing.
Pursuing this approach, reflective practice was used to generate a number of inter-related
practical areas (see Schön, 1983). Regular reframing of the research occurred stimulated by
my own on-going research action, my own design practice, a search for new literature, the
evaluation of new equipment or practices and the contributions of other practitioners. This
constant reflection and reframing led to the generation and exploration of previously
unexpected areas of practical interest in a broadly systematic way, not dissimilar to a design
process. There were four main inter-related phases of practical work generated and these are
described in a narrative structure. The research methodology is also explained and discussed
as are the connections between adjacent phases of practical work.