To design or to draw. Two different verbs, two different abilities, one result

The essay aims to put forward an etymological and neurological difference between ‘designing’ and ‘drawing’. Taking into account the theory of the left and right side of the brain, it explains how ‘to design’ and ‘to draw’ belong to different abilities. This difference is crucial to the understanding of space and form; geometry. The essay considers the use of hand drawing and physical model making as crucial to comprehend the essence of design. Technical drawing however is a mathematical procedure thus can be done without the understanding of how to design. It will follow to explain the importance of the design process as a hand drawn/modelled tool in the first years of a design related degree. It will also challenge quick and easy CAD programmes like Sketch-up. Finally, the essay will try to compare the ideas of other scholars in the fields of design, art and architecture with our own experience. Whereas keeping to the premises of a pedagogical approach of learning by doing, in which cognitive and personal learning is expected and enhanced (Lyon, 2011), theoretical and critical understanding will balance the relation of both: the creative and the rational; ‘to design’ and ‘to draw’.

The essay aims to put forward an etymological and neurological difference between ‘designing’ and ‘drawing’. Taking
into account the theory of the left and right side of the brain, it explains how ‘to design’ and ‘to draw’ belong to different
abilities. This difference is crucial to the understanding of space and form; geometry. The essay considers the use of hand
drawing and physical model making as crucial to comprehend the essence of design. Technical drawing however is a
mathematical procedure thus can be done without the understanding of how to design. It will follow to explain the
importance of the design process as a hand drawn/modelled tool in the first years of a design related degree. It will also
challenge quick and easy CAD programmes like Sketch-up.
Finally, the essay will try to compare the ideas of other scholars in the fields of design, art and architecture with our own
experience. Whereas keeping to the premises of a pedagogical approach of learning by doing, in which cognitive and
personal learning is expected and enhanced (Lyon, 2011), theoretical and critical understanding will balance the relation
of both: the creative and the rational; ‘to design’ and ‘to draw’.