Cognitive Depth in Cubism

Lessons from Cubism for teaching beginning designers.

Abstract

How do we get beginning students to think three-dimensionally, to locate things in space, and to represent three-dimensional ideas in two-dimensional form? The computer, in spite of its enormous potential, does not necessarily help in this endeavor since it too easily allows the student to extrude “flat ideas” for a semblance of three-dimensionality. This paper revisits the Cubist probe into visual experience in order to have another look at Cubism’s usefulness in promoting spatial thinking and to posit making as a spatial activity in basic design.

Like the Cubists did, we begin our study with an exploration of visual experience itself. Following this analysis, we take inventory of Cubist tools relevant to their potential to foster depth. The third section presents a studio assignment that engages the developed themes of vision, tactility and imagination to facilitate making as collaboration between these things. — Margarita McGrath + Kay Edge