Gaia Leandri

“Di-segno” manuale e “De-sign” digitale, una scelta di comunicazione visiva

FrancoAngeli srl eBooks, Sep 10, 2022

L'aspetto finale dei progetti architettonici è oggi di norma illustrato da immagini digitali (sop... more L'aspetto finale dei progetti architettonici è oggi di norma illustrato da immagini digitali (soprattutto render fotorealistici), che quasi sempre sostituiscono i disegni una volta realizzati a mano. Nonostante il pubblico sia ormai abituato a recepire questa tipologia di immagini ampiamente diffusa dai media, diversi autori ritengono che un realismo di tipo fotografico potrebbe non trasmettere sempre il messaggio desiderato agli osservatori. Nell'ambito della ricerca dottorale, è stato pertanto proposto un questionario online contenente 2 test per valutare se comunicazione e riconoscibilità fossero meglio veicolate da immagini disegnate a mano o da render fotorealistici. Hanno sostenuto il test 102 persone, il 76% erano professionisti nel campo dell'architettura e il 24% pubblico generico. In entrambi i gruppi, le risposte hanno indicato che la comunicazione e la riconoscibilità erano percepite molto meglio nelle immagini disegnate a mano rispetto ai render fotorealistici. Questa indagine porta a supportare la tesi che l'idea e lo spirito creativo dell'architetto possano essere anche meglio veicolati da un'immagine tradizionale, che rappresenta un "disegno" personale, una traccia del processo mentale resa visibile dal movimento della mano. I render fotorealistici continuano tuttavia a rappresentare un ormai necessario complemento visivo per mostrare il futuro risultato progettuale.

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The Hand�s Brain: Its Role in Architectural Imagery

This research concerns the relationship between hand movements, as they occur in the act of freeh... more This research concerns the relationship between hand movements, as they occur in the act of freehand drawing, and creativity. Since ancient times it was observed that hand movements were linked with intelligence. This issue has gained importance particularly in the field of architectural imagery because automated drawing techniques with computer aided design (CAD) have replaced the hand drawings. This has risen concerns about the impairment of creative ideas that may ensue. The working hypothesis of this research is that the complex, meaningful freehand movements are connected to a larger activity of the cortical neurons compared to the simple, rather meaningless movements of the CAD drawing. The research was aimed to provide electroencephalographic evidence supporting this hypothesis, with the preliminary assumption that creativity could be linked to recruitment of a larger neuronal population. In 10 subjects, we recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) using the technique of movement related potentials (MRPs), and analysed the epoch spanning from 1000 ms before to 1000 ms after movements while freehand drawing or using the mouse for CAD drawing. A digitising tablet was used for freehand drawing. Latency, amplitude and area under signal of the recordings under the two conditions were assessed. The most relevant premotion components of the MRPs were the N-150 and P-40 (occurring 150 and 40 ms before movement), followed by the post-motion components N+30 and P+120 (30 and 120 ms after movement). Freehand drawing was linked to larger cortical activity, which suggests that a larger number of specialised cortical neurons were activated than with CAD drawing. The amount of neuronal activity could be a reflection of the cognitive process occurring in preparation for the skilled movements of the hand, and the results reported lead to the conclusion that freehand drawing is preceded by a strong cognitive activity bringing new ideas.

Freehand Digital Drawing: a Boost to Creative Design. The Observer's Eye and the Draftsman Brain

which provided full support as to ideas, expertise, equipment and personnel. Therefore, there are... more which provided full support as to ideas, expertise, equipment and personnel. Therefore, there are a number of persons from both fields and both universities that have contributed to the conceptualisation, setting up and making of the several experiments, collecting and processing of data. Their contribution has been essential and without them the results presented here could not have been pursued. To all of them I am deeply indebted, but here I would like to thank especially those who, since the very beginning, escorted me through the whole PhD course. Firstly I thank Prof

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Architectural representation: the image and the sign

8th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'22), Jun 14, 2022

The final aspect of architectural projects is nowadays illustrated by computer generated images o... more The final aspect of architectural projects is nowadays illustrated by computer generated images of photographic quality (photorealistic renders), mostly replacing the old fashioned hand drawn images. Several authors feel that their realism may not convey the desired message to onlookers. We proposed a Web based questionnaire containing 3 tests to assess whether communication, recognisability and engagement were better conveyed by hand drawn images or photorealistic renders. 154 responders took the test, 74% of them were professionals in the architectural field and 26% general public. In both groups, the answers indicated that communication and recognizability were much better perceived in hand drawn images than in photorealistic renders. Engagement was aimed at assessing personal preference towards render or hand drawn images, with an even outcome. It is concluded that architect's idea and spirit are better conveyed by hand drawn images which are a sort of "sign". Such feature should be properly taken into account in academic curricula. Photorealistic renders should be used complementarily to show a virtual reality of the project's outcome.

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Detection of movement related cortical potentials in freehand drawing on digital tablet

Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Aug 1, 2021

BACKGROUND Cortical activity connected to movements has been investigated long since, and is rela... more BACKGROUND Cortical activity connected to movements has been investigated long since, and is related, among other factors, to saliency of the gesture. However, experiments performed on movements in actual situations are rare, as most of them have been performed in laboratory simulations. Besides, no research seems to have been carried out on subjects during freehand drawing. NEW METHOD We propose a method based upon a commercial drawing tablet and wireless pen, that has been synchronized with EEG recording by means of a piezoelectric sensor attached to the pen tip. Complete freedom of movement is allowed, and any kind of drawing style can be performed using currently available graphics software. RESULTS EEG recordings during meaningful drawing were compared with recordings where the pen was tapped and shifted on tablet without specific purpose. With reference to T0 event (pen touching tablet), several components could be observed in pre- and post-T0 epochs. The most important appeared to be a triphasic wave (N-150, P-40 and N + 30), where P-40 showed a striking difference between drawing and tap session, being much larger in the former. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Onset of muscle EMG is usually employed for synchronization. In complex and free gestures too many muscles are active to allow reliable identification of such reference. Our method provides a precise trigger event easily detected without movement constraints. CONCLUSIONS With this method it will be possible to record EEG activity related to creative aspects of drawing and explore other skilled movements.

The Architectural Illustrator Between Digital and Analog Worlds

This paper tackles the issue of the architectural illustrator in an age of post digitalisation, w... more This paper tackles the issue of the architectural illustrator in an age of post digitalisation, where the return to the analog hand drawn images for a more pregnant communication is seen by some as much desirable. There are now concerns about the limited communicative ability of digital images, with suggestions to go back to the analogic world of the hand drawn images in perspective style. To assess whether a digital photorealistic render would communicate better or worse than a hand drawn image, a questionnaire was set up based upon the objective principle of correct/wrong answers by the test takers, rather than on their subjective preferences. The test was a conventional one-stem multiple-choice type with correct answer scored 1 and wrong answer scored 0. The required task was to identify the correct architectural project within a townscape. The test was taken by 154 subjects, of which 74% professionals in the field of architecture, and 26% other professions. The �professionals� in architecture scored approximately 50% more correct answers in the case of hand drawn images compared to the photorealistic renders, with a very high significance between the two items (p less than 0.0001). The �others� showed a difference of 20%, still in favour of the hand drawn images (p=0.003). It may be concluded that, within the limits of the reliability and sensitivity of the test, the hand drawn images could better communicate the message of the architect. The �performance� strategy guarantees against subjective biases, but it has been much less experimented than the traditional paradigms. Some more research would be needed to assert its robustness, and, to this regard, this first attempt should be considered as a proof of concept to assess some observer�s reactions so far little explored but nevertheless of fundamental importance.

Architecture and digital drawing tablets, bringing back human control over HAL

Architectural imagery and design are nowadays pervaded by computerization, consequently freehand ... more Architectural imagery and design are nowadays pervaded by computerization, consequently freehand drawing suffered a drastic decline. This paper reviews the advantages and drawbacks of digitalization, examines the reasons of the reborn need for freehand drawing and reports about published evidence of creativity being facilitated by hand movement. A new drawing medium is now available in the form of digital tablets. These allow freehand drawing with more ease and efficiency than on paper but hand movements and feeling are the same as in traditional drawing. Aim of this paper is to provide the basis for a proposal to merge advantages of digitalization with creativity stemming from freehand drawing by the use of modern digital drawing tablets in architecture. The preliminary results of a pilot survey carried out in 8 countries revealed that there is a widespread need for architectural academic courses of freehand drawing on digital tablets, so far not implemented. It is expected that the survey may be completed in the next few months and a wider sample may provide more detailed indications. In conclusion it is proposed that the digital tablets may be the future solution for a fruitful union between the digital and the creative imagery in architecture.

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From Anatomy to Art. Genoese Paintings in the Late Renaissance

From the early 15th century, anatomical knowledge was considered fundamental to artists and even ... more From the early 15th century, anatomical knowledge was considered fundamental to artists and even architects. Not only medically trained scientists, but also artists found a primary source of inspiration in the human body, directly investigating it under cover of the night or, later on, in public dissections. Direct observation, �to see with one�s eyes� � as states the original meaning of the Greek word autopsia � was fundamental to Renaissance artists. The body, standardized in its dimensions and used as a measurement reference, was rationalised in geometrical forms and masses in order to shape the space. The increasingly evolving study of human anatomy in the scientific field allowed artists to explore not only its structure but also its movement. From �The Fall of the Giants� by Perino del Vaga to the works of Luca Cambiaso, the Genoese art in the 16th century shows the innovative force of the Renaissance art and is a remarkable example of how the understanding of the human body allows the artist to model complex anatomical positions that create an almost architectural scenography.

From Anatomy to Art. Genoese Paintings in the Late Renaissance

SWS International Scientific Conference on Arts and Humanities - ISCAH

From the early 15th century, anatomical knowledge was considered fundamental to artists and even ... more From the early 15th century, anatomical knowledge was considered fundamental to artists and even architects. Not only medically trained scientists, but also artists found a primary source of inspiration in the human body, directly investigating it under cover of the night or, later on, in public dissections. Direct observation, �to see with one�s eyes� � as states the original meaning of the Greek word autopsia � was fundamental to Renaissance artists. The body, standardized in its dimensions and used as a measurement reference, was rationalised in geometrical forms and masses in order to shape the space. The increasingly evolving study of human anatomy in the scientific field allowed artists to explore not only its structure but also its movement. From �The Fall of the Giants� by Perino del Vaga to the works of Luca Cambiaso, the Genoese art in the 16th century shows the innovative force of the Renaissance art and is a remarkable example of how the understanding of the human body a...

Il caso delle logge medievali a Genova: una mappa digitale per la conoscenza e la memoria.

IX Ciclo di Studi Medievali (NUME), Atti del convegno, 6-7 giugno, Firenze, 2023

Connotazione urbana caratteristica di Genova nei secoli XII-XIII era la presenza, al piano strada... more Connotazione urbana caratteristica di Genova nei secoli XII-XIII era la presenza, al piano strada, di ambienti porticati con funzioni sociali diversificate. Potevano essere luoghi dove si svolgevano attività commerciali, ma, nel caso dei palazzi nobiliari, erano teatro di incontro per cerimonie familiari o momenti di svago. La loggia rappresentava una “stanza” con funzioni ibride tra la sfera privata e quella pubblica, ricoprendo anche un importante ruolo di rappresentanza della famiglia. In epoca rinascimentale, molti edifici erano stati riadattati dai proprietari con la conseguente chiusura delle logge. Questo rinnovo edilizio nella maggior parte dei casi ha nascosto, senza distruggerle, le strutture architettoniche originarie. Molti degli elementi decorativi quali archi, colonne, capitelli, sono tutt’oggi visibili sotto l’intonaco, parzialmente o completamente liberi grazie alle campagne di scrostamento effettuate nel secolo scorso. Pur essendo le strutture diffuse e visibili in tutto il centro storico, la loro presenza è pressocchè sconosciuta al vasto pubblico.
Nella ricerca promossa dall’Università di Genova – dipartimento Architettura e Design (DAD) - si è proceduto in primis con l’aggiornamento della mappatura delle oltre 150 logge ancora visibili, che raccontano non solo la storia dei palazzi ma le vicende di una particolarissima società quale era quella genovese nel medioevo. La seconda parte del progetto si focalizzerà sullo sviluppo di un archivio digitale di fotografie storiche e contemporanee, collegate ad una mappatura interattiva su base open source, in cui sarà possibile scoprire l’ubicazione di tutte le architetture medievali con itinerari turistici e approfondimenti tramite schede singole, in un’ottica di promozione della partecipazione e di consapevolezza civica.

The Architectural Illustrator Between Digital and Analog Worlds

SWS International Scientific Conferences on SOCIAL SCIENCES - ISCSS

This paper tackles the issue of the architectural illustrator in an age of post digitalisation, w... more This paper tackles the issue of the architectural illustrator in an age of post digitalisation, where the return to the analog hand drawn images for a more pregnant communication is seen by some as much desirable. There are now concerns about the limited communicative ability of digital images, with suggestions to go back to the analogic world of the hand drawn images in perspective style. To assess whether a digital photorealistic render would communicate better or worse than a hand drawn image, a questionnaire was set up based upon the objective principle of correct/wrong answers by the test takers, rather than on their subjective preferences. The test was a conventional one-stem multiple-choice type with correct answer scored 1 and wrong answer scored 0. The required task was to identify the correct architectural project within a townscape. The test was taken by 154 subjects, of which 74% professionals in the field of architecture, and 26% other professions. The �professionals� i...

The Hand's Brain: Its Role in Architectural Imagery

SWS International Scientific Conferences on SOCIAL SCIENCES - ISCSS

This research concerns the relationship between hand movements, as they occur in the act of freeh... more This research concerns the relationship between hand movements, as they occur in the act of freehand drawing, and creativity. Since ancient times it was observed that hand movements were linked with intelligence. This issue has gained importance particularly in the field of architectural imagery because automated drawing techniques with computer aided design (CAD) have replaced the hand drawings. This has risen concerns about the impairment of creative ideas that may ensue. The working hypothesis of this research is that the complex, meaningful freehand movements are connected to a larger activity of the cortical neurons compared to the simple, rather meaningless movements of the CAD drawing. The research was aimed to provide electroencephalographic evidence supporting this hypothesis, with the preliminary assumption that creativity could be linked to recruitment of a larger neuronal population. In 10 subjects, we recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) using the technique of moveme...

Palazzo Imperiale a Genova: il decoro di una facciata cinquecentesca nell’angusto tessuto medievale

Linguaggi Grafici. DECORAZIONE, 2022

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El cerebro del arquitecto y la mano pensante

EGA Revista de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica

Tras algunas décadas de entusiasmo por el uso de las herramientas CAD en el diseño arquitectónico... more Tras algunas décadas de entusiasmo por el uso de las herramientas CAD en el diseño arquitectónico, surge ahora la preocupación sobre la pérdida de creatividad en el proceso de creación del proyecto, debido a la estandarización del procesamiento informático y al movimiento repetitivo de las manos. Diferentes teorías defienden que la percepción háptica durante el dibujo a mano alzada favorece la creatividad y así la generación de nuevas ideas. Las investigaciones sobre la función cerebral han demostrado que el movimiento percibido de la mano puede generar actividad en áreas cognitivamente relevantes de la corteza parietal y frontal, posiblemente relacionadas con la creatividad. Sin embargo, hasta el momento no se han realizado estudios experimentales para analizar la actividad cerebral durante el dibujo a mano. El presente artículo describe una investigación llevada a cabo en la que se ha comparado la actividad electroencefalográfica durante el dibujo arquitectónico a mano alzada fren...

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Freehand Digital Drawing: a Boost to Creative Design. The Observer's Eye and the Draftsman Brain

which provided full support as to ideas, expertise, equipment and personnel. Therefore, there are... more which provided full support as to ideas, expertise, equipment and personnel. Therefore, there are a number of persons from both fields and both universities that have contributed to the conceptualisation, setting up and making of the several experiments, collecting and processing of data. Their contribution has been essential and without them the results presented here could not have been pursued. To all of them I am deeply indebted, but here I would like to thank especially those who, since the very beginning, escorted me through the whole PhD course. Firstly I thank Prof

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I vicoli di Genova di Enzo Marciante. Note introduttive ad uno studio critico sul fumetto per la narrazione storica

La rappresentazione della storia per la comunicazione tra immagine e testo, 2023

Oggetto di questo scritto è l’introduzione ad uno studio critico sul fumetto − inteso come lingua... more Oggetto di questo scritto è l’introduzione ad uno studio critico sul fumetto − inteso come linguaggio visivo per lo storytelling − a partire dai lavori di Enzo Marciante, che, proprio attraverso tale metodologia, ha trattato l’analisi del centro storico di Genova. Si procede inizialmente con un brevissimo inquadramento della tipologia del fumetto storico nel contesto europeo e italiano rapportato ad altri casi studio, precedenti e contemporanei, che affrontano la tematica della narrazione storica di un luogo; poi la lettura del primo lavoro di Marciante, Storia di Genova a fumetti, che è stata condotta sul piano stilistico e di contenuto attraverso le parole dell’artista, cui sono state rivolte alcune domande ai fini di comprendere i fondamenti e le potenzialità della narrazione storica a fumetti. Infine, è stata sintetizzata attraverso pochi punti salienti l’evoluzione storico-urbanistica della città di Genova in un arco temporale che va dall’XI al XXI secolo, con approfondimento sul periodo medievale come supporto alla comprensione del volume. A conclusione, alcune riflessioni sull’uso del fumetto storico come mezzo di divulgazione culturale.

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“Di-segno” manuale e “De-sign” digitale, una scelta di comunicazione visiva

DIALOGHI / DIALOGUES • visioni e visualità / visions and visuality

L'aspetto finale dei progetti architettonici è oggi di norma illustrato da immagini digitali (sop... more L'aspetto finale dei progetti architettonici è oggi di norma illustrato da immagini digitali (soprattutto render fotorealistici), che quasi sempre sostituiscono i disegni una volta realizzati a mano. Nonostante il pubblico sia ormai abituato a recepire questa tipologia di immagini ampiamente diffusa dai media, diversi autori ritengono che un realismo di tipo fotografico potrebbe non trasmettere sempre il messaggio desiderato agli osservatori. Nell'ambito della ricerca dottorale, è stato pertanto proposto un questionario online contenente 2 test per valutare se comunicazione e riconoscibilità fossero meglio veicolate da immagini disegnate a mano o da render fotorealistici. Hanno sostenuto il test 102 persone, il 76% erano professionisti nel campo dell'architettura e il 24% pubblico generico. In entrambi i gruppi, le risposte hanno indicato che la comunicazione e la riconoscibilità erano percepite molto meglio nelle immagini disegnate a mano rispetto ai render fotorealistici. Questa indagine porta a supportare la tesi che l'idea e lo spirito creativo dell'architetto possano essere anche meglio veicolati da un'immagine tradizionale, che rappresenta un "disegno" personale, una traccia del processo mentale resa visibile dal movimento della mano. I render fotorealistici continuano tuttavia a rappresentare un ormai necessario complemento visivo per mostrare il futuro risultato progettuale.

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Architectural representation: the image and the sign

8th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'22)

The final aspect of architectural projects is nowadays illustrated by computer generated images o... more The final aspect of architectural projects is nowadays illustrated by computer generated images of photographic quality (photorealistic renders), mostly replacing the old fashioned hand drawn images. Several authors feel that their realism may not convey the desired message to onlookers. We proposed a Web based questionnaire containing 3 tests to assess whether communication, recognisability and engagement were better conveyed by hand drawn images or photorealistic renders. 154 responders took the test, 74% of them were professionals in the architectural field and 26% general public. In both groups, the answers indicated that communication and recognizability were much better perceived in hand drawn images than in photorealistic renders. Engagement was aimed at assessing personal preference towards render or hand drawn images, with an even outcome. It is concluded that architect’s idea and spirit are better conveyed by hand drawn images which are a sort of “sign”. Such feature sho...

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Architecture and digital drawing tablets, bringing back human control over HAL

7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21), 2021

Architectural imagery and design are nowadays pervaded by computerization, consequently freehand ... more Architectural imagery and design are nowadays pervaded by computerization, consequently freehand drawing suffered a drastic decline. This paper reviews the advantages and drawbacks of digitalization, examines the reasons of the reborn need for freehand drawing and reports about published evidence of creativity being facilitated by hand movement. A new drawing medium is now available in the form of digital tablets. These allow freehand drawing with more ease and efficiency than on paper but hand movements and feeling are the same as in traditional drawing. Aim of this paper is to provide the basis for a proposal to merge advantages of digitalization with creativity stemming from freehand drawing by the use of modern digital drawing tablets in architecture. The preliminary results of a pilot survey carried out in 8 countries revealed that there is a widespread need for architectural academic courses of freehand drawing on digital tablets, so far not implemented. It is expected that ...

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by Gaia Leandri and angelo schenone

Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 2021

Background Cortical activity connected to movements has been investigated long since, and is rel... more Background
Cortical activity connected to movements has been investigated long since, and is related, among other factors, to saliency of the gesture. However, experiments performed on movements in actual situations are rare, as most of them have been performed in laboratory simulations. Besides, no research seems to have been carried out on subjects during freehand drawing.

New method
We propose a method based upon a commercial drawing tablet and wireless pen, that has been synchronized with EEG recording by means of a piezoelectric sensor attached to the pen tip. Complete freedom of movement is allowed, and any kind of drawing style can be performed using currently available graphics software.

Results
EEG recordings during meaningful drawing were compared with recordings where the pen was tapped and shifted on tablet without specific purpose. With reference to T0 event (pen touching tablet), several components could be observed in pre- and post-T0 epochs. The most important appeared to be a triphasic wave (N-150, P-40 and N + 30), where P-40 showed a striking difference between drawing and tap session, being much larger in the former.

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