Design without drawing: the relative importance of drawing in design methods

Abstract

Drawing is a hegemonic graphic resource in design, playing a fundamental role in project methods, in communication and in the manufacture of consumer goods. However, some design and manufacturing methods may eventually reduce the importance of drawing as an anticipation tool, given the peculiarities of the creative or productive process. Through case studies, this article shows some cases that makes drawing's role relative in design or production methods. For this, four areas of design were listed and, through specific cases, the use of drawing as a tool of relative importance in design methods was investigated. The results point out that, despite the relevance of drawing in the design and production process, eventually this role can be relativized according to the peculiarities of the areas and design methods.