Playfulness and fun

Advances in digital technology, such as CAD, 3D printing and generative artificial intelligence, GAI, have marginalised traditional ideation tools, notably freehand drawing and sketch modelling by hand. Moreover, digital software employed at the ideation phase may have the advantage over analogue tools in that it can facilitate more complex shapes, forms and layouts at a faster and more cost-effective rate. Also, computer software allows ideas (content) to be presented in digitised form that resembles final appearance. Indeed, in the digital culture clients may well expect the shown idea (proposal) to be pretty close to the final outcome, or, "What You See Is What You Get". That is, when presenting ideas, the digital medium offers designers more persuasive power to win over the client than a rough sketch on the back-of- the-envelope. In other words, ideation through digital means suggests a reduction in the ambiguity embedded in the analogue sketch. However, the march of digital technology, driven by demand for increased efficiency and certainty in outcome, and already at the ideation stage of the design process, may overlook the fun and playfulness designers experience when working and thinking with analogue tools. This dilemma, however, if perceived as such, would have to be addressed by the designers themselves.