A Taxonomic Classification of Visual Design Representations

Paper: "A Taxonomic Classification of Visual Design Representations Used by Industrial Designers and Engineering Designers" by Pei, Campbell and Evans. The Design Journal, 14(1), 2011

Abstract: In the context of new product development (NPD), research has shown that not having a common understanding of visual design representations (VDRs) has affected collaboration between industrial designers and engineering designers. The aim of the research presented in this paper was two-fold. Firstly, to identify the representations employed by industrial designers and engineering designers during NPD from a literature survey. Secondly, to define and categorize these representations in the form of a taxonomy that is a systematic organization of VDRs that are presently dispersed in the literature. For the development of the taxonomy, four measures encompassing orthogonality, spanning, completeness and usability were employed. It resulted in four groups consisting of sketches, drawings, models and prototypes. Validation was undertaken by means of an interview survey and further, presenting the taxonomy at an international conference. The results showed that no issues were raised by the respondents concerning the structure of the taxonomy or its components.

Notes: This is the most useful and complete classification that I've seen of sketches, drawings, models and prototypes used in the design process. I'm surprised that -according to Google Scholar- it has only been referenced once since its publication in 2011. I reallly hope that more design researchers refer to this work, since we really need to build consensus on such fundamental concepts and techniques. I'm using this for teaching and also plan to use it as a key reference for future research papers.