Thinking while drawing and drawing to think [video presentation]

Reference: Wallace, N. (2020) Thinking while drawing and drawing to think: Exploring the critical reflective practice of 'reflective doodling'. Design Research Society Conference 2020 Synergy DRS2020, Vol. 1, 204-222. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2020.187

Video presentation: https://youtu.be/14B7Dp3XebY 

Abstract: This paper attempts to articulate what is typically taci within the process of 'reflective doodling'. By dissecting different types of artefacts created during reflective doodling, the paper demonstrates how this critical reflective practice creates a synergy between design research and design practice. The nuances of reflective doodling are unpacked and its relevance to complex problems is explored through the emergent practice of 'design for transitions'. Discussion reveals the importance of external inputs into the process and explores how the layers of thinking and action embedded in its processes expand the dynamic interplay between research and practice.

My notes: I really enjoyed this paper for the following reasons: it combines a seemingly simple and playful everyday activity that some people tend to dismiss as childish with quite deep and important ideas related to advanced design practices. It's always interesting to see how 'designerly' methods/activities are used to process sophisticated conceptual ideas. I also enjoyed the explicit linkages between practice and research, a topic that deserves more attention to examine 'practice research' more closely as we work to consolidate appropriate methodologies for design research beyond just borrowing from other fields including artistic research, social studies, the humanities, and the sciences. Another reason why I appreciated this paper is that I will be able to use these ideas to rethink one of the assessment items in a course I teach where students have been asked to produce a written essay and a visual essay. This has always puzzled students and the results have been quite mixed. It makes a lot of sense to refine the brief to more specifically guide students in the connection between these essays using reflective doodling.

Sadly, it seems that Niki's PhD thesis is under embargo until 2022:
https://find.library.unisa.edu.au/permalink/f/ihon54/UNISA_ALMA11197619480001831

You can follow her on Twitter: @nikiwallace