| This case study explores the role of language, particularly texts, in the engineering design process. The results support a new “mediated” model of engineering design as an inventional activity in which designers use talk, written language and other symbolic representations as tools to mediate design work: to think about and think through their design process. Although graphic representations have long been recognized as important tools for design thinking, written language has not been considered central to design. Instead, traditional models of design include written texts as merely means for communicating technical content. This study, however, describes how both oral and written language served crucial functions in facilitating design invention in the design activity of a four-student team, in an innovative mechanical engineering design course at a U.S. technological university. To trace the function of symbolic representations (written, oral, and visual) in design activity, design ideas were coded for both the stage of design process addressed and type of representation used to mediate design talk (Text-mediated, Sketch-mediated, Both-mediated, Unmediated). Analysis focused on contrasts between talk about the most- and least-successful features of the team's design.; Results suggest that: (1) texts are embedded in design activity; (2) although extended talk did coincide with more frequent invention, inventing more proposals did not guarantee design success; (3) successful design was associated with using written and graphic representations together, and less successful design with using either text or sketch separately; and (4) different types of mediation were used at different times and at different stages of the design process. Qualitative analysis confirms six mediating functions previously recognized for written and graphic representations in design (Conveying ideas, Recording proposals, Pacing activity, Affording invention, Contextualizing design, Sharing visions) and identifies two new functions (Arguing for proposals and Structuring invention).; These results suggest that engineering design educators and researchers should recognize mediation as a potential marker of design success. In addition, educators in both writing and engineering need to consider that combining talk, texts, and graphic representations may help designers produce effective texts and artifacts. |
