The Possible Rivalry between Technical Skills and Creativity

This qualitative research initiative explores teaching and learning nuances of design processes and practices as encountered and documented within a specific design research studio at the University of New South Wales, Faculty of Built Environment School of Architecture and Design, Sydney Australia. Technical skills versus creativity and the manner the two may coexist or not within the setting of a design studio will be explored. Can technical skills specificity be taught whilst and an active engagement with creativity is developed or do technical skills become a rival or inhibitor of invention? Through this research initiative a more accurate transparent discourse of design studio teaching and learning deliverables structures and outcomes becomes accessible. The data uncovered from this research will have direct relevance to future design studio practices and syllabus design; successful and less successful design studio methodologies will be identified and the amplification of more successful modes of practice determined.