Generally speaking technical drawing methods e.g. isometric and orthographic views are used for presentation of form and design idea. Systematically used these methods can yield fantastic results serving as a tool in the form and design generation / development process. In various product domains, especially where sheer aesthetic appeal or plurality of form is more important than functionality or utility; development of form family, variations on theme, etc. are the main design activity. This way of working will serve as an effective tool in cases where the design development process is confined mostly to the paperwork only but the product demands or has a scope for 3-Dimensional thinking e.g. industrial jewelry design.

Approach:

Viewed individually, orthographic views could be interpreted in more then one way; using this ambiguity as a form manipulation device many forms or a family of forms could be developed. Further addition of spontaneous or methodical form-variation increases manifold the number and variation possibilities.

Constructing and employing various project / domain / user-specific grids as tools in the form and design development process makes it easy to handle 3-Dimentional form variations on (2-Dimensional) paper.

3-D CAD software which are primarily used for making models / prototypes, once the design is ready, also can become effective and potentially integral part of the entire form and design development process right from the initial stages.

Conclusion

Systematic use of various project / domain / user specific grids as tools makes handling of 3D space in 2D environment possible and easier too.

This can help the designers as well as novice students in handling relatively complex 3D forms.