Formal knowledge in architecture is defined as an independent field of knowledge. The significance of formal knowledge to design as recognized by design researchers and theoreticians is reviewed. Formal representations, the graphical representation of architectural formal knowledge, is the language of built form which the architect manipulates during design. The relevance of formal knowledge and representations to design education is reviewed. The particular characteristics of computer graphics programs as an environment for transferring formal knowledge are discussed. The Joy of Syntax is an approach to teaching a class of formal knowledge. This is compared with the objectives and operation of a previous course by the authors, and its objectives and content are elaborated. Future research directions in design teaching with computers in architecture are identified.