Comprehending the designer's sketch & Implications for communication

Abstract

Communication between stakeholders during design ideation is important due to growing product complexity. We examine how sketches implicate stakeholder response. Eye-tracking data revealed designers attended to visual representation, while managers focused on diagrammatic elements. Cognitive workload suggested designers adopt a holistic frame-of-reference in comprehending design through sketches. Managers and engineers understand sketches as concrete solutions, leading to increased cognitive workload. Implication for communicated through sketch representation are finally discussed.