Reflective drawing as a tool for reflection in design research

Calvo, Mirian

Abstract

This article explores the role of drawing as a tool for reflection. It reports on a PhD research project that aims to identify and analyse the value that co-design processes can bring to participants and their communities. The research is associated with Leapfrog, a three-year project funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It aims to transform public engagement through activating participation using co-design practices. The article reports on the analysis of initial research findings arising from a series of workshops with members of non-profit organisations on the Isle of Mull, in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, in which co-design practices were used. The article reflects on the use of drawing used as a tool to capture the author's reflections and her own personal development as a researcher. In this study the term ‘reflective drawing’ refers to the use of drawing as a tool to support the research reflection process within an ethnographic approach to the fieldwork. Reflective drawing is used in two different stages of the reflection process: (1) to record data during fieldwork enabling reflection-in-action, complementing field notes and disclosing visual and kinaesthetic learning; and (2) to recall lived experience during the reflection sessions conducted after the observed activity, which helps to establish a bridge between theory and practice. Reflection is defined as an intuitive process that enables the understanding of oneself within a context of practice. Hence, understanding reflective drawing requires exploration of the reflection process.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 11, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 12, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Sep 14, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 2, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Art and Design Education
• Print ISSN: 1476-8062
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-8070
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 261-272
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12161
• Keywords: reflective drawing, co-design, design ethnography, reflective practice, autobiographical research, socially active design
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/879334
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12161
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Calvo, M. (2017) Reflective drawing as a tool for reflection in design research. The International Journal of Art & Design Education, 36 (3). pp. 261-272, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12161. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Sep 14, 2018