Managing design ideas with a shared drawing tool
Iva M. Lu, Marilyn M. Mantei · Interacting with Computers · 1993
The generation of design ideas in group discussion is a complex and dynamic process. The fluent expression of ideas and the ability to interact and build on representations created by others contributes significantly to the process. When group members are separated by physical distance, the fluency of this process is interrupted. Computerized shared drawing tools re-establish this fluency. Such tools need to aid not only the drawing process, but also the management of design ideas during the process. The paper lays the groundwork for the design of the idea management portion of a shared drawing tool. It presents a list of group idea management behaviours and identifies user requirements in support of these activities. A prototype shared drawing system is described which attempts to incorporate the user requirements into an interface design. The paper then presents the results of a usability study conducted on the prototype. The interface performed miserably, but the study provided support for the user requirements and gave detailed insight into how a shared drawing interface should be designed.