Investigating Digital, Tangible, and Paper-Based Room Design at a Small Scale

Abstract

Miniature representations, like CAD and blueprints, are useful for designing a larger physical space. While experts are trained to use these methods, non-experts often lack this training. Nonetheless, non-experts can benefit from designing with miniature representations, yet their interactions with these tools are not well understood. In our work, we observed participants designing two rooms using three tools: an online planner, pen and paper, and Lego. We collected and analyzed data from the Desirability Toolkit, a semistructured interview, and observations of their design sessions. Our findings suggest that participants found each tool engaging and satisfying for different reasons, but paper more empowering and Lego more familiar, efficient, and unconventional. Participants also suggested that these tools had value at different design stages. We also identified that participants often had difficulty scaling objects to match realistic expectations in the paper and Lego miniature representations.