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

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. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.