What are the functions of drawings? Towards a new typology

What is it about?

This article explores the various possible functions of drawings, focusing on architecture, urban design and planning, fields where drawing has always played a key role.

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Photo by Danae Paparis on Unsplash

Photo by Danae Paparis on Unsplash

Why is it important?

In the twentieth century, the functions of written or spoken language were extensively studied by linguists, philosophers, psychologists, and anthropologists. The functions of drawings were studied less. When focusing on architecture, urban design, and planning, ten main functions performed by drawings can be identified: i. representational function, ii. exploratory function, iii. constructional function, iv. conceptual function, v. documentary function, vi. instructional function, vii. nudging function, viii. advisory function, ix. prescriptive function, x. constitutive function. This typology goes far beyond the well-known representative function of drawings on which many have focused for such a long time.