Workshop Aims:
The workshop focuses on the construction of internal and external representations in design thinking as well as on the understanding and interpretation of them. Constructing visuo-spatial representations refers to the making of spatial models and/or visual representations of the necessary elements either internally or externally to be used in a problem solving activity. Tracing the construction of visuo-spatial representations may inform design research about how conceptions are formed, developed, represented and re-interpreted. Understanding visuo-spatial representations refers to revealing what meanings visuo-spatial representations convey and what they may reflect about design thinking. Developing an understanding of visuo-spatial representations therefore also refers to the problem types and research methods.

In light of the multifarious aspects surrounding constructions of visuo-spatial representations in design a number of topics will be addressed by the workshop in the following four areas:

1. Understanding visuo-spatial representation in design

2. Constructing percepts/concepts in design

3. Modeling reasoning by construction

4. Cognitive and user modeling issues

It is the general objective of the topics outlined here to attract participants that represent a number of disciplines, including architecture, design research, computer science, or the cognitive sciences. Information expanding on these aims as well as the workshop's significance and contributions can be found in the full version of the workshop's call for participation.

Position Paper:
Participants who would like to make a contribution to the workshop are asked to submit a one-page abstract in reaction to this position paper.

Please refer to Submission Information below for further guidelines.

Workshop contributions:
Research into constructing and understanding visuo-spatial representations forms the focus of this workshop. Increasing our understanding could make significant contributions to the effects of cognitive processes in designing. By bringing together different research communities, the results of this workshop are likely to have implications not only for the design domain but also in others such as: wayfinding and navigation, reasoning about maps, graphs and diagrams, interface design, cognitive and user modeling, artworks and the many other visual fields that are used today.

Workshop format:
The workshop will take place before the DCC'06 conference on the morning of Sunday, 9 July 2006, from 9:00am to 12:30pm. The workshop will start with a brief introductory talk that addresses the position paper and focus questions. Next will follow presentations by the authors with discussions. There will be two main sessions with one 30 minute break in-between. The workshop will conclude with a 30-45 minutes panel discussion with committee members. Depending on the contributions and the participants' interest, a subsequent special edition of the AIEDAM journal will be proposed.

Submission Information:
Participants who would like to make a contribution are asked to submit a one-page abstract in reaction to the position paper together with a brief CV / description of research interests. The committee members will review the submissions to the workshop. Based on this review process, 5-6 submissions will be included in the workshop program. These submissions will be distributed among the group of participants, together with a short list of key questions that should be addressed in the talks at the workshop.

Abstracts for review (1 page maximum) must be submitted electronically in Acrobat PDF, RTF or Microsoft Word formats. Please refer to Importants Dates for deadlines above. Abstracts should be formatted according to the DCC'06 paper guidelines.

Please submit your workshop position paper to the chairs by sending an email to vsdesign06@informatik.uni-bremen.de.

Participants and Attendees:
As the topic of the workshop spans multiple disciplines, we seek participation from individuals with one or multiple background(s) in architecture, design research, computer science, or in the cognitive sciences.

In addition, anyone interested in attending the workshop is welcome to do so (space permitting). Registration for the workshop is available through the DCC'06 conference web site or on site at the day of the workshop. In accordance with the conference's policy, workshop registration for DCC'06 conference attendees will be €35.00 and for those not attending the conference €65.00 to cover the base costs. All workshop attendees will have to register.