During my training in school as an artist, computer aided design was a privilege for the few who had access to computers. Sketching and illustration were strictly pen and paper, and I perfected this skill. It did not really matter how well one could draw, the most important thing was the aptitude to capture moments and the expression/emotion in order to project an idea. It's quite challenging designing on a laptop or tablet directly in this digital age. For me, "traditional" pen and paper is much more efficient when it comes to developing ideas/concepts, choosing colors, and creating drafts for a design project, before actually using a computer. Starting the "creative process" on paper is a practice I have never drifted from -- and I doubt I ever will. Here are some reasons why you would want to begin on paper before using any digital mediums: Saves time Some people still consider sketching to be ancient and habitual, but a specially crafted/formulated sketch plan can save a designer a lot of time during the design process. Illustrating ideas on paper allows for better brainstorming too -- throughout the creative process, sketches turn out to be pieces of ideas that come together to create the bigger picture. Transferring this onto the computer becomes less stressful in that, it could direct the designer to choose the appropriate design tool for the design project. Future use and reference Ideas turn out to repeat themselves at some points in our minds. For this reason, designs on paper- whether used or unused - serve as reference materials for the designer for future creations. It’s a stage one can make all the mistakes to solve a specific problem. The drawings below represent some ideas that were initially conceived for an ad that was meant for an insurance company's TV commercial. Various sketches lead me to the concept of ‘a watchman and watchdog, both sleeping comfortably under the shade of a tree, instead of guarding the house and its assets: Sketching can save a designer the stress of having to reproduce his/her own designs for different clients. I strongly believe that all designers should start off with sketching. It doesn't matter whether you have a perfect/concrete sketch, but being able to take that subtle idea and put it on paper (2D form). Be it detailed color work or not, the elements of design (Space, shape, texture, color, line, form, balance, and proportion) MUST be emphasized. Endless Inspiration It's been said that nature is a powerful source of inspiration, and this is a fact! By observing nature, and real life stories, you get a much clearer perspective. This helps you maximize your potential as a designer, through things that are familiar to you, within your environment, and that are of interest to you. Consider the concept of a ‘watchman and watchdog, both sleeping under a tree’. This is actually quite common in most Ghanaian homes, especially in the afternoon when everyone either away at work or school. The interesting thing here is that, on a compound, the watchman always seems to be able to find some type of shade to relax under. It’s quite a refreshing feel taking a nap under a tree shade especially after a good meal (know what I mean!!) Our human nature as depicted in this imagery is quite humorous, but definitely not for the home owner. Drawing inspiration from your environment in this manner also helps you to design contextually -- which makes it relatively easier for people to recall and identify with your ideas at a quick glance; but it takes time and a lot of patience. Surely any Ghanaian would smile at the representation in the ad above to create a discussion. The 7/7 rule: Fill the blank spaces! When sketching, you are not restricted to one page or one idea -- you have to virtually use up as much space as you can. You can sketch everything and nothing but it will make sense to you, even words. The emphasis is on idea development. Just start sketching and drawing at least every day and the more you do it, the more your style will become apparent. There are two aspects of blanks for me: the ‘design oriented’ sketching and ‘habitual sketching’. The former has more to do with having a project and developing ideas through the sketches and the latter, following the 7/7 rule, i.e. 7 sketches in 7 days. How hard can it be? Remember, sketching isn't exactly about becoming the next Van Gogh, It’s about transferring ideas in nature and experiences to paper as a form of expressing an emotion or addressing a problem. Sketch fast and forget the tiny details. Always carry a notebook and pencil, even if you have to sketch in words, do it. The reckless squiggles often end up becoming our signatures. Bottom line: Sketch often! Tradition plus Technology equals Awesomeness.
