Sketchfest: Emphasising sketching skills in engineering learning

Sketching is often described as the first language of designers and it is a critical skill for engineers and designers as it enables the multiple social and cognitive functions represented by drawing within product design and development. Drawing acumen is considered by industry as a core and indispensible skill in product design, highly efficient and free of the constraints imposed by sequential and logic based digital processes. It enables abstraction, embraces ambiguity, facilitates exploration and unexpected outcomes and provokes creativity through reflection and reinterpretation. It is apparent that any lack of ability to use drawing for creative exploration, reflection or communication can limit creativity, and constrain innovation and the efficiency of the design process. However digital design processes (i.e. CAD) have significantly impacted on the sketching skills of design and engineering students. The persuasiveness of screen-based outcomes has led a decline in drawing skill acquisition to the detriment of both design creativity and design communication. The resultant lack of sketching skills has impacted on students' academic performance, their design confidence and creativity and their future employment potential. This paper describes SketchFest; a curricula initiative aimed at re-establishing drawing competency amongst engineering students in direct response to industry expectations. This new curriculum addresses industry concerns regarding graduate attributes through a targeted program that embeds sketching skill development throughout the learning journey.