Observation, Drawing, Modeling. Elements of a Cognitive Process Between Analogic and Digital for Design Learning

Abstract

Geometry accompanies the knowledge of space and places both intuitively and through cultural education. Some innate elements are at the base the instantaneous perception and processes of visual recognition of forms. Moreover, the theorical teaching and practical activities allow to structure visual and tactile and knowledge of primary geometric shapes, as well as the capacity for the mental modelling of space. Following a similar procedure in our Design Laboratory, both analogue and digital modeling methods are coherently explored through the assigned project. The results of some case studies, recently concluded, are presented here, oriented to the composition of elementary geometric elements for the construction of reticular architectural structures, and for the radio centric enquiry of vegetal elements. The aim of these experiences concerns the possibility of experimenting visual understanding, on the bases of drawing, modeled in an analogue way by hand, and then verified through digital procedures by means of modeling and rendering software. A further example concerns a modeling exercise, based on the Made in Italy Design collection of Triennale di Milano. These specific training courses took place within the framework of the new training methods defined in Italy in the recent Alternanza Scuola Lavoro guidelines (in collaboration with Parco Nord Milano and the Accademia—Fondazione Fiera Milano), where the training focus on soft skills is integrated with the learning in specific and ordinary didactic disciplines.