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Earlier studies demonstrate the importance of visualizing problems, and how the sketch manages to catch the ambiguity of the design process. It creates new ways for idea generation in an individual generate-interpret cycle, where the thought interacts with an external representation. The sketch enables an integrated group process by offering direct access to earlier and current ideas, and dialogues are better facilitated. Studies have also found strong correlations between the quantity of sketches and the quality of the result. The mechanical engineering programs at LTU (Luleå University of Technology) did not have sketching courses, and to improve the students’ creative capabilities sketching were added to their education. To accomplish this, the teachers at the Department of Innovation & Design, LTU, were contacted. The mission was to make success from only a few lessons, and to manage this a workshop was created. Using this workshop, students will overcome the threshold of obstacles and misconceptions and make the sketch into an important tool in their creativity toolbox. The goal is to incorporate the pen in students’ creative process and make them take advantage of the sketch when working in product development groups. The results from this workshop proves that by simplifying the task and focusing on speed and quantity the sketch as a creative tool will be accessible for a wider audience. It has improved the outcome of students’ projects, and shows the possibility to enforce the role of the sketch in future mechanical engineering education.

Keywords:

Mechanical, engineer, creativity, sketching, design