Presentation and representation in design problem‐solving

Two experimental studies of design problem‐solving are presented. Eighty‐one subjects worked on one of two design problems that were isomorphic in structure: a schedule for stages in a manufacturing process or a layout for a business office. In Expt 1, a difference between problem isomorphs is obtained: the ‘spatial’ office layout problem obtains better performance and shorter solution times than the ‘temporal’ scheduling problem. In Expt 2, this difference attenuates when subjects are provided with a graphic representation in both isomorph conditions. The availability of a graphic representation is discussed as an aid for procedural design. 1980 The British Psychological Society