How can creation occur by ‘drawing from masters’ drawings’ in undergraduate Graphic Design courses (a proposal)?

Abstract

In this essay, we readdress manual observational drawing, in drawing classes of graphic design undergraduate courses. Our teaching proposal supports itself on exploratory, and empirical research studies as well as cognitive applied research: 1st validating that - through copying-imitating other artists’ drawings, students can achieve creative outputs and develop other drawing fundamental skills identified as essential for graphic designers; 2nd how that can happen throughout - drawing from masters’ drawings -, suggesting teaching strategies, deducted from five identified cognitive mechanisms fostering creativity - ‘reinterpretation’ or ‘constraint relaxation’; ‘flexible abstraction’; ‘combinations’; ‘borrowing structure’ or ‘mapping’, and ‘find a new problem space’.