Comparing collaborative co-located and distributed design processes in digital and traditional sketching environments: A protocol study using the function–behaviour–structure coding scheme

Abstract

This study compares the design processes of designers in both digital and traditional sketching environments, where the digital environment emulates the traditional face-to-face, pen-and-paper environment. The design processes were empirically examined through protocol analysis using a coding scheme based on the function–behaviour–structure ontology. The distributions of the different types of segments, and their transitions in the two environments were quantitatively compared using Chi-Square tests and Paired-T tests. The results indicate that the design processes in the two environments were not statistically different in terms of their distributions and transitions. The higher-level cognitive activities were not affected by the change of medium. Some implications for design computing and design practice are discussed.