DECIDING THROUGH DOING: THE ROLE OF SKETCHING IN TYPOGRAPHIC DESIGN

Current computer-based tools for document creation do not yet support and enhance the full range of traditional skills possessed by professional typographic designers. These tools' strengths lie in the latter stages of the process, that is, in the production aspects, but they provide only limited support for the early, design stages. Traditionally, the early, decision-making part of the design process has been executed through sketching using paper and pencil. Observations of contemporary professional designers indicate that even those who fluently use computer-based systems for implementing designs nevertheless use paper and pencil to sketch their initial exploration of design ideas. That designers choose the traditional medium for sketching strongly suggests that they are engaging in an activity that is necessary but not yet supported by the electronic medium, since they neither abandon sketching, nor harness the electronic tools for this purpose.