Experience of using current tools for collaboration in concept design

Currently, many tools, both digital and analogue, are used in concept design. The survey needs to identify how participants experience these tools so that their drawbacks or advantages may be considered when developing a digital prototype for this research. All participants were asked about the tools currently used in their design projects. They were also asked about the drawbacks of such digital tools (namely, CAD and BIM), and the advantages of analogue tools (such as sketch).

Designers use several tools in concept design (Brown, 2013; Denzer & Gardzelewski, 2011).

Both Thai architects and engineers typically use several tools in concept and schematic design processes, such as Sketch, 2D AutoCAD, 3D AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit or ArchiCAD. The survey asked about appropriate tools for concept design, and the results show that all the tools used in conceptual design have similar levels of use (see Table 5.9). Therefore, 3D software comprises 28.39 % while manual sketch represents 27.37%. Furthermore, 2D CAD software comprises 21.31% and BIM software represents 23.02%.

Table 5.9 Appropriate Tools in Concept Design According to Participants’ Opinions

Analogue and digital tools Percentage of participants’ comments

Sketch 27.37%

2d CAD Software 21.31%

3d Software 28.30%

BIM Software 23.02%

Total 100%

The proportion of architects and engineers using tools in concept and schematic design is presented in Figure 5.2. The results show that slightly more architects recommend the use of Sketch and 3D CAD than engineers, whilst BIM and 2D CAD were most recommended by engineers for concept and schematic design. Notably, in Figure 5.2, sketch and 3D CAD represent between 25% and 30% for architects, while BIM, 3D CAD, and Sketch represent 25% amongst engineers.

Figure 5.2 Appropriate Tools Used By Architects And Engineers In Concept And Schematic Design (Source: Research own)

Problems with using digital tools in concept and schematic design

All participants were asked about current problems with digital tools. Thirty-one participants (83.1%) use both sketch and digital tools while another eight participants (16.9% of all participants, comprising six architects and two engineers) use only sketch and do not use digital tools for concept design. Twelve participants (27.9%) stated that digital tools only assist them to present their ideas and help other relevant persons understand their design. Moreover, eight participants (21%) indicated that a manual sketch is first used to describe their ideas. In terms of real-time collaboration, two participants (4.65%) noted that these digital tools cannot support designers. Moreover, one participant pointed out that sometimes the tool becomes obstructive in the process of developing design ideas and design thinking.

Nine architects and three engineers mentioned that current digital tools are only used to support designers to present their design ideas, namely SketchUp or AutoCAD. Thai architects tend to first create design ideas by freehand sketch and then use digital tools to generate pictures to communicate and create an understanding among design team members in the concept and schematic design phase. Another engineer mentioned that they also use digital tools to show their design ideas in communication and collaboration amongst design team members.

Caption 5.3.3.1 Digital Tools are only used to Display Design Ideas

Architect: “The computer software can assist us enough because I sketch my ideas on the paper and then bring these ideas to make 3D model so that my colleague can see the picture and understand my idea.” (Q16.P002)

Architect: “Its capability is enough. … I use is Sketch Up for making a 3D model.

Members of the design team can see the project's picture clearly and it works.”

(Q16.P019)

Engineer: “Its capability is enough, because computer software is the only tool to convey new design ideas for other persons to see and understand.” (Q16.P038)

Moreover, six architects and one engineer felt that the capability of digital tools is insufficient for concept design, whilst another engineer highlighted the steep learning curve of these digital tools. Two architects pointed out that current digital tools are based on a computer desktop and are not used to build conceptual design ideas. Instead, they are only used to create pictures of drawings and 3d models for presentations and to build an understanding amongst team members. Eastman et al. (2011) pointed out the complexity of digital tools and their unfriendly user interface. An engineer also addressed the substantial time needed to learn and practice using the digital tool.

Caption 5.3.3.2 Digital Tools are not used to Capture Ideas in Concept Design

Architect: “Its capability is not enough. … computer software is one of the presentation tools that can explain our idea to others to show a picture to follow an architect’s concept.” (Q16.P011) Architect: “It is not enough…. because I do a freehand sketch when I am thinking to design and start work as the first step.” (Q16.P022)

Engineer: “It is enough, but it is necessary to spend a long time to practice until users can use the computer software. We do not use computer software to create or describe ideas.” (Q16.P041)

In addition, one architect stated that an obstructive issue arises when they use digital tools in concept design, whilst two engineers cited issues associated with real-time collaborative design. Many researchers (e.g. Eastman et al., 2011; Ibrahim & Rahimian, 2010; Schubert et al., 2014; Zhu et al., 2007) mention the obstruction of the creative mental workflow, confirming that neither the graphic user interface nor the input/output (I/O) device support the creative design thinking process. Furthermore, in terms of real-time collaborative design issues, Holzer (2007) pointed out the imbalance between collaboration and communication within digital tools. These existing tools have been developed to support high-resolution design solutions, but a corresponding communication framework has been slow to develop to support collaboration and communication (Holzer, 2007).

Caption 5.3.3.3 Digital Tools are Obstructive and do not Support Real Time Collaboration in Concept Design

Architect: “I think that computer software is the only tool so that projects can be finished faster and more completely. Sometimes, it can obstruct the ideas of the imagination.” (Q16.P022) Engineer: “It is not enough, because new ideas will sometimes appear after completing designs with computer software. I need to edit or improve the completed design, but it is hard to update relevant teams which are working on it.” (Q16.P032)

Engineer: “It is not enough. Sometimes, I have needed to improve some designs, which were passed on from another designer such as an engineer or architect. But the computer tools cannot support collaborative design.” (Q16.P039)

Table 5.10 Participants’ Comments in Terms of Digital Tools for Creating Design Ideas in Concept Design

Problems with digital tools in concept design No. of code

addressed Digital tools are only used to display the design ideas in concept design 12 (9A, 3E)

Digital tools do not support designers to capture ideas 9 (7A, 2E)

Current digital tools do not support real-time collaboration 2 (1A, 3E)

A digital tool is sometimes obstructive in the process of design idea thinking 1 (1A, 0E)

81.4% of all participants use digital tools in concept design.

Most participants agree that digital tools can sufficiently support designers to aid a presentation.

Rationale for using sketch for concept design thinking

The survey asked all participants about the use of sketch; 31 (72.1%) offered their opinions (see Table 5.9). Furthermore, twenty-six participants (60.5%) confirmed that sketch is the best tool to capture ideas, and five participants (11.62%) pointed out that it is appropriate for communication. Its importance was attributed to speed, as it is able to quickly show ideas.

Design thinking is an intuitive process (AIA, 2014) to generate problem-solving through spontaneous imagination and rational thinking (Okpara, 2007) (see Sketching in the Initial Design Stage of Chapter 3); thus sketch is a common traditional technique and an appropriate tool due to its ease and speed (Goldschmidt, 2014). Moreover, sketch is used for informal communication among different professionals. Dossick & Neff (2011) and Sun et al. (2015) encourage the use of sketch as ‘messy talk’, which supports its use in communication and collaboration.

Twenty-one architects and five engineers mentioned the use of sketch to capture ideas. Two architects described that they could immediately capture ideas before they disappeared.

Another engineer mentioned that they need an intuitive interface, like sketch, for concept design. Sketch is therefore considered an intuitive tool and thereby supported for use in concept design (Goldschmidt, 2014).

Caption 5.3.3.4 Sketch is used to Capture Ideas in Concept Design

Architect: “The hand sketch is the best and fastest tool, because most architects have pictures in their head and can convey their ideas on surfaces such as paper, or an iPad and these ideas are recorded as digital files.” (Q17.P011)

Architect: “I use the sketch to capture my ideas which crop up at once. I usually sketch on paper before my ideas have gone to make sure that I will not forget them.” (Q17.P016) Engineer: “At the concept design, emotion and perception in design concern the use of appropriate tools; computer software does not support designers better than sketching does.” (Q17.P035)

Three architects and two engineers mentioned the use of sketch in their communication and collaboration. One architect described that sketch is used among their design team members.

Two engineers pointed out that, although participants are from different disciplines and backgrounds with diverse experiences, they can work together and communicate by using sketches. They therefore support the use of ‘messy talk’, which is recommended by Dossick &

Neff (2011) and Sun et al. (2015).

Caption 5.3.3.5 Sketch is Used in Communication

Architect: “Using a sketch can help us to work and communicate fast with other members of a design team, who have more experience, such as engineers, specialists.” (Q17.P019) Engineer: “... Noticeably, a person who cannot sketch by hand …. will be able to describe ideas well.” (Q17.P041)

Engineer: “Sketching is a tool for describing ideas through rough pictures… that can be used to also communicate ideas.” (Q17.P039)

Table 5.11 Rationale for Using Sketch for Conceptual Design Thinking

Rationale for using sketch for conceptual design thinking No. of code addressed

Capture ideas 26 (21A, 5E)

Communication 5 (3A, 2E)