Visual Reasoning in Modeling and Design

Abstract

Visual reasoning plays an important role in modeling in science and engineering, including science and engineering education. It also plays a critical role in engineering and architectural design. Ferguson (1992), for example, views good engineering largely as an outcome of visual reasoning (and not verbal or mathematical reasoning). Yet, there is much that we do not yet understand about visual reasoning. In fact, at present there is not even a universal agreement in cognitive science on a definition of visual representation or reasoning.

Keywords Visual Reasoning, Visual Representations, Diagrams, Mental Models, Modeling, Design.