Who is carrying out the research?

Janet Saunders, PhD candidate
Lecturer/tutor, Visual Communications, Design.
School of Humanities and Communication Arts,
Western Sydney University,
Parramatta Campus, NSW, Australia

What is the research about?

Back to the Drawing Board will explore the value of a rough sketch or ‘process drawing’, in the visual conceptualisation or ‘design thinking’ process of Visual Communication Design students at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). For more details see, Research.

If you agree to participate in this study, you may be asked to sign the Participant Consent Form or tick a participation box on research material.
Ethics approval H10278 has been given for this project.

How much time will each component of the study take?

Janet Saunders is completing her PhD titled Back to the Drawing Board part-time and aims to present her final thesis by 2020.

The individual research components will vary and require the participant to take the following amounts of time to complete or be involved;

• Why Draw Questionnaire: 10 mins
• Speed Squiggle exercise:  15 mins
• Design Thinking Interviews with diary analysis: 20 mins
• What Do You See? Squiggle talk aloud exercise: 30 mins

Will the study benefit me?

Yes. Here are some possible benefits:

• Visual Communication students will learn and experience the value of process drawing in the creative design thinking process. This may lead to a greater understanding of their creative process and those of professional designers thus building confidence and expertise in their process.
• They will be provided with drawing exercises and teaching resources that may provide a gateway to higher levels of drawing skills and engagement. Originality and creativity will be encouraged, thereby increasing the standard and relevance of student‘s portfolio content.
• Observers of the online results and resources may be encouraged to draw and participate in a creative activity thus enriching their lives. Through this online discussion participants may gain knowledge and an appreciation of their creative process and the role that sketching may provide.

Will the study involve any discomfort for me?

No. You are free to withdraw at any time.

How is this study being paid for?

The research is supported and paid for by the Western Sydney University Internal Competitive Grant.

Will anyone else know the results? How will the results be disseminated?

The results of the Why Draw? questionnaire, Speed Squiggling Exercise and What Do You See? squiggling exercise (and any other exercises that may be developed over the course of this research), will be published as part of Janet Saunder’s academic paper/s and doctoral thesis.

Can I withdraw from the study?

Yes. There are often many reasons why an individual may need to withdraw. These can remain private and your rights to confidentiality are respected. You can leave the study at any time by simply contacting one of Janet’s supervisors:

Alison Gill: a.gill@westernsydney.edu.au
Abby Lopes: a.lopes@westernsydney.edu.au

Or contact Janet directly on: j.saunders@westernsydney.edu.au

Can I tell other people about the study?

Yes, you can tell other people about the study by providing them with Janet Saunder’s contact details and providing a link to the Improvisational Drawing website/blog (improdraw.com).

Contact Details: Janet Saunders B.Des, M.A. Visual Communications, Design. School of Humanities and Communication Arts, University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus, NSW, Australia.

Email: j.saunders@uws.edu.au or contact via this improdraw.com website.

What if I require further information?

Please contact either Janet Saunders directly or one of her supervisors:

Alison Gill: a.gill@westernsydney.edu.au
Abby Lopes: a.lopes@westernsydney.edu.au

What if I have a complaint?

If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact:

Ethics Committee through the Office of Research Services on Tel +61 2 4736 0229 Fax +61 2 4736 0013 or email humanethics@uws.edu.au. Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome.

If you agree to participate in this study, you may be asked to sign the Participant Consent Form or tick a participation box on research material.Ethics approval H10278 has been given for this project.