Exploring the use of digital tools to support design studio pedagogy through studying collaboration and cognition

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of the use of digital design representation tools to support design studio pedagogy. We present the results of a case study of three types of architectural design critiques also called design reviews. The first one is a traditional desk critique where common design representations (plans, section, mock-ups) were used by tutors and students. The second case study investigates the use of a social Virtual Reality device, the Hyve-3D, that supports design collaboration through an immersive 3D sketch interface. The third case study involves the use of a digital desk utilizing the Sketsha interface to support remote design studio critiques. We used a video protocol analysis to study two characteristics of the design critiques: design collaboration and participants' interactions with design representations. Results highlight behavioral trends for each type of critique and provide insights on the potential of digital design representations to support design studio pedagogy.