Re: Step Away From The Computer

As someone who took both free-spirited art classes and strict architectural drafting courses, I now find myself with a bit of pencil anxiety. I either feel like my drawings should be messy, charcoal expressions or neat, orthogonal renderings. For graphic design, I am more likely to begin an assignment with an internet search on the subject matter. Then, scribbling notes on a pad is followed by computer design. I am more likely to create a collage or color palette on paper than draw. Maybe one day I'll pick it up again. It is good for the eyes to step away from the screen sometimes.

Re: Step Away from the computer

Stepping away from the computer…

I have to start off by saying I go completely "gaga" over any person who sketches and draws well. I love these types of people…I don't even have to know them. If you can draw/sketch, I am in love with you.

Interestingly enough being a bit out dated and from the school of pen and ink, I think sketching is very important. It's almost like crawling before walking. I think I've mentioned I had an Architecture professor while studying Landscape Architecture who was adamant about folks knowing how to sketch and draw prior to getting on the computer and designing in CAD, Illustrator, FormZ, etc. As you can imagine this professor was partial to computers - but he did learn the programs. When I think back to it, most of my best work in design school came from sketching/drawing first. I think the process freed me somehow and made me more creative not just while learning but in everyday life. 

Working at a University I get mixed emotions about design schools particularly Architecture schools that teach CAD and other drawing programs to first year students and expect that form of teaching to be the "only way". I think it's important that  these students (or any design student) know simple sketching concepts or how to draw as well or even know what a 5H, 4B, or 8B  pencil is. More so, the importance of hand lettering, measuring, etc. There have been too many times that I have see students not obtain jobs in these fields because they are unable to sketch out quick concepts. 

I can honestly say that I don't sketch much know as I should, mainly because I am always at the computer and some parts of me had been a tad bit afraid to sketch after not doing it consistently for some years. I do think since attending UB I have pulled out my pen, pencil, and AD markers more to help better process my ideas (on multiple sheets of paper and sticky notes I might add). When starting a design project I usually pull out a few of my old sketch books or fundamental design books on presentation, and/or conceptual blockbusting to get ideas flowing. I am beginning to enjoy sketching again but then too it's also making me not want to go to the computer.

Re: Step Away from the computer

I wonder if its a generational thing? I find whenever I don't start with pen and paper, storyboards, or brainstorming, the project takes longer, never looks as good, and rarely has as strong a concept as when I do it the right way. Even in motion graphics, this proves true. I have a series of motion pieces I did starting on the computer, and a recent series where I storyboarded them with the client, sketched horribly, and the final outcome was 200% better than the old ones!

My craptastic illustration skills. 

which turned into this video. 

This last video I created completely on the computer... and it shows.

 

Re: Stepping Away from the computer

I am horrible horrible horrible at drawing so my ideas don't always come out the way I would want them to on paper but I have found it helpful to sketch things out until I can make an idea work. Sometimes my ideas don't work out at all and I think its nice to only have done the sketching work then to have things on the computer. I do tend to gravitate towards the computer in most cases but lately I have been trying to sketch more. Hopefully I can make it a habit.

Re: Stepping Away From the Computer

This topic just came up with my design team. In fact, I recently bought each of them sketch pads and pencils and told them to start using them every day. I do feel you can get a lot more ideas down on paper then you can on screen. Designing on screen has technical needs, and when you take that part out you are free to explore as quickly as the ideas come to you. Ed is also a big promoter of sketching, and although I will never try to sell myself as a sketch artist, some of my best ideas have come out of sketching first.

Re: Stepping away from the computer

I usually start with the computer first but if my mind feels cluttered I will take to pen and paper for a few rounds of sketching. I've noticed myself using this method less and less and absorbing myself in the computer more and more with each project.

If you already have a clear idea in mind then pen and paper doesn't seem necessary but if you're stuck it definitely helps out.

Re: Stepping away from the computer

I'm guilty of heading to the computer first, but usually only to gather ideas first. See what other designers are doing, what my competition is, what styles might fit whatever I'm doing the best. I'll sketch something out or make a list of ideas, or create a folder of ideas-- from color palettes, to possible images, themes, screen shots of things that I find inspiring, etc.

By the time I do get to the computer, I find that I usually need to follow all my bad ideas down their respective rabbit holes and flesh them out before I can get rid of them and narrow in on the good stuff.