As a designer on the last semesters, this information was not particularly new to me. However, i still found this taxonomy to be quite interesting, How to differentiate a sketch from a drawing, a model from protoype and see all the categories and uses for each is really important and relevant. In order to show function, do a model, instead of 1000 sketches, which may still leave some doubts. For accurate decision-taking, bring forward CAD-made drawings and 3D models. Sell the idea with crazy and colorful drawings. All these little things can be decisive, and we need to decide acertively which methods to use, depending on the stage we are on the design process.
We have to remember engineers don't speak the same language designers do, and we can't possibly assume customers will have the same type of thinking both designers and engineers do, so all these tools can help us make them understand what we are actually talking about. Remember to talk in the language your listener knows and feels comfortable with. Communication is a safe passage to both complete success and total failure. Also, i think we have to be conscious about the details or features our clients are interested on. Know what they usually perceive and give them a lot of material for their perception to grasp. In other words, make them happy. Make them feel secure. Let them be in their comfort zone and by all means let them say they're true opinions, but create the atmosphere for it to be as constructive as possible.
Talking more about the classification, I think it is a very accurate one. Which VDR's are best for expressing ideas, which ones are better for technical aspects, so on and so forth. Learning these things really makes you a better designer just because you will know how to show what you need, to the various people's profiles you'll be working among. Also because you can easily see which tools should you use, depending in the stage you are working on at the time.
It is self-reassuring to know that we've been working with this methodology throughout our design education since the very beginning. It is quite satisfying to know that this is the way it is done in the real world, and that we already have notions and quite some experience to defend ourselves with out there.
