Search

This research concerns the relationship between hand movements, as they occur in the act of freehand drawing, and creativity. Since ancient times it was observed that hand movements were linked with intelligence. This issue has gained importance particularly in the field of architectural imagery because automated drawing techniques with computer aided design (CAD) have replaced the hand drawings. This has risen concerns about the impairment of creative ideas that may ensue. The working hypothesis of this research is that the complex, meaningful freehand movements are connected to a larger activity of the cortical neurons compared to the simple, rather meaningless movements of the CAD drawing. The research was aimed to provide electroencephalographic evidence supporting this hypothesis, with the preliminary assumption that creativity could be linked to recruitment of a larger neuronal population. In 10 subjects, we recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) using the technique of movement related potentials (MRPs), and analysed the epoch spanning from 1000 ms before to 1000 ms after movements while freehand drawing or using the mouse for CAD drawing. A digitising tablet was used for freehand drawing. Latency, amplitude and area under signal of the recordings under the two conditions were assessed. The most relevant premotion components of the MRPs were the N-150 and P-40 (occurring 150 and 40 ms before movement), followed by the post-motion components N+30 and P+120 (30 and 120 ms after movement). Freehand drawing was linked to larger cortical activity, which suggests that a larger number of specialised cortical neurons were activated than with CAD drawing. The amount of neuronal activity could be a reflection of the cognitive process occurring in preparation for the skilled movements of the hand, and the results reported lead to the conclusion that freehand drawing is preceded by a strong cognitive activity bringing new ideas.

This paper tackles the issue of the architectural illustrator in an age of post digitalisation, where the return to the analog hand drawn images for a more pregnant communication is seen by some as much desirable. There are now concerns about the limited communicative ability of digital images, with suggestions to go back to the analogic world of the hand drawn images in perspective style. To assess whether a digital photorealistic render would communicate better or worse than a hand drawn image, a questionnaire was set up based upon the objective principle of correct/wrong answers by the test takers, rather than on their subjective preferences. The test was a conventional one-stem multiple-choice type with correct answer scored 1 and wrong answer scored 0. The required task was to identify the correct architectural project within a townscape. The test was taken by 154 subjects, of which 74% professionals in the field of architecture, and 26% other professions. The �professionals� in architecture scored approximately 50% more correct answers in the case of hand drawn images compared to the photorealistic renders, with a very high significance between the two items (p less than 0.0001). The �others� showed a difference of 20%, still in favour of the hand drawn images (p=0.003). It may be concluded that, within the limits of the reliability and sensitivity of the test, the hand drawn images could better communicate the message of the architect. The �performance� strategy guarantees against subjective biases, but it has been much less experimented than the traditional paradigms. Some more research would be needed to assert its robustness, and, to this regard, this first attempt should be considered as a proof of concept to assess some observer�s reactions so far little explored but nevertheless of fundamental importance.

Architectural imagery and design are nowadays pervaded by computerization, consequently freehand drawing suffered a drastic decline. This paper reviews the advantages and drawbacks of digitalization, examines the reasons of the reborn need for freehand drawing and reports about published evidence of creativity being facilitated by hand movement. A new drawing medium is now available in the form of digital tablets. These allow freehand drawing with more ease and efficiency than on paper but hand movements and feeling are the same as in traditional drawing. Aim of this paper is to provide the basis for a proposal to merge advantages of digitalization with creativity stemming from freehand drawing by the use of modern digital drawing tablets in architecture. The preliminary results of a pilot survey carried out in 8 countries revealed that there is a widespread need for architectural academic courses of freehand drawing on digital tablets, so far not implemented. It is expected that the survey may be completed in the next few months and a wider sample may provide more detailed indications. In conclusion it is proposed that the digital tablets may be the future solution for a fruitful union between the digital and the creative imagery in architecture.

Background Cortical activity connected to movements has been investigated long since, and is related, among other factors, to saliency of the gesture. However, experiments performed on movements in actual situations are rare, as most of them have been performed in laboratory simulations. Besides, no research seems to have been carried out on subjects during freehand drawing. New method We propose a method based upon a commercial drawing tablet and wireless pen, that has been synchronized with EEG recording by means of a piezoelectric sensor attached to the pen tip. Complete freedom of movement is allowed, and any kind of drawing style can be performed using currently available graphics software. Results EEG recordings during meaningful drawing were compared with recordings where the pen was tapped and shifted on tablet without specific purpose. With reference to T0 event (pen touching tablet), several components could be observed in pre- and post-T0 epochs. The most important appeared to be a triphasic wave (N-150, P-40 and N + 30), where P-40 showed a striking difference between drawing and tap session, being much larger in the former. Comparison with existing methods Onset of muscle EMG is usually employed for synchronization. In complex and free gestures too many muscles are active to allow reliable identification of such reference. Our method provides a precise trigger event easily detected without movement constraints. Conclusions With this method it will be possible to record EEG activity related to creative aspects of drawing and explore other skilled movements.