Why different design tools answer different questions.
Use drawings to test relationships
Early sketches are useful for comparing routes, room proportions, and the connection between inside and outside. They allow alternatives to be discussed before time is invested in detailing one direction.
Bring an idea into three dimensions
A simple physical model can make a spatial relationship easier to understand than a plan. A material mock-up answers another kind of question: how an edge meets a surface, how a handle feels, or how a finish catches the light.
Make each review purposeful
Decide what needs to be resolved before each review. Record the agreed direction and the questions still open. This gives the next stage a clear purpose while leaving room for discoveries as the design becomes more detailed.