Mapping Territories: Drawing and Representation of Space. by Pedro Alegria

A distinct space is defined by a complex web of relationships that characterize and distinguish it. Capturing these intricate connections proves to be a challenge, and within this context, delving into drawing becomes pivotal—an integral tool in the learning journey. The interplay between the digital and the analog in the realm of drawing as a medium for understanding and representation is explored. Appreciating the essence of space and its portrayal holds paramount importance in engineering education. Thus, we proposed a series of three distinct sessions, each offering diverse content and methods yet crucial for initiating STEM students into drawing as an analog tool for comprehending and representing space. Observing, perceiving, selecting, and representing (Massironi) are foundational. Tailored for FEUP students, the workshop aims to empower participants with analytical, representational, and communicative skills for spatial comprehension through engaging drawing activities. These workshops are thoughtfully structured, assuming that the targeted students may not possess fundamental drawing competencies. The sessions unfold progressively, presenting participants with content of increasing abstraction.

Objectives:

There were three workshops, each with different aims which are the following:

WORKSHOP#1: “Drawing and perspective. Exploration of spatial representation.”

Seeing the world: measuring, comparing and observation drawing;
Structuring the world: systems of perspective
Equip participants with analytical skills for space analysis
Representation and communication of space through drawing activities

WORKSHOP#2: "Optical and Haptic Drawing: Exploring Spatial Representation through the Senses"

Emphasize a bodily and sensorial dimension in understanding what surrounds us
Respond to sensory stimuli to better perceive the shapes of objects: feel, touch, perceive and represent.
Awakening to experience and interpretation in the representation process

WORSHOP#3: "Drawing Empty Spaces: Exploring Spatial Representation through Absences"

The understanding of space through the figure/background relationship.
Representation of diagrammatic spatial structures.
Introduction to representation tools.
Adaptation of the drawing tools to the represented space.

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