Content area
Full Text
Introduction
Contemporary theories have defined metaphors as a structuring of our cognitive system (Lakoff, 1987; Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). Metaphors affect the way we perceive the world, categorize experiences, and organize our thoughts. These devices have a fundamental role, as they not only guide reasoning but also enhance innovative thinking. They allow the designer to think unconventionally and encourage the application of novel ideas to design problems. The employment of metaphors by architects is well documented in literature through a vast number of examples. Nevertheless, not many empirical investigations have verified the contribution of metaphors to design. In a recent study, Casakin (2004) found that metaphors help to identify and capture design concepts, as well as define goals and requirements. In another research, the aid provided by metaphors to develop unconventional solutions was seen to be more fruitful in the initial stages of the design process, known as conceptual design. Metaphor use in the final stages of the design process is more complex and therefore demands more expertise (Casakin, 2006).
Apart from knowledge and expertise, design problems require creativity. Creative thinking enables one to perceive a problem from unorthodox and innovative perspectives (Casakin & Kreitler, 2005a). To enhance their creativity, designers use different kinds of principles, tools, and heuristics, such as metaphors. Despite its significance, no empirical studies have been conducted in order to study the contribution of metaphors to design creativity.
In the first part of this research, the importance of creativity in assessing design is presented. Thereafter, a short theoretical introduction about metaphors and their application to design is included. In the second part, an empirical study conducted on a first-year design studio is described. Next, results from a survey completed by students about the assessment of their designs are presented. Finally, discussion and conclusions regarding factors of creativity and factors of the use of metaphors as predictors of design creativity are offered.
Creative Thinking and Design
Creativity is a captivating and stimulating aspect of human thinking. It has been defined as the ability to restructure old ideas to produce singular inventions (Heap, 1989) and to apply original thinking (Coyne, 1997). Creative thinking is also associated with the capacity to look critically at reality, explore unconventional alternatives, and perceive situations from innovative...