How do you sketch products with moving parts?

1 Understand the mechanism

Before you start sketching, you need to understand how the product works and what are the main components and joints that enable its movement. You can research existing products, use reference images, or make simple models to study the mechanism. You should also identify the range of motion, the direction of rotation, and the position of the pivot points.

2 Sketch the structure

Next, you need to sketch the basic structure of the product, using simple shapes and lines. You can use perspective grids, ellipses, and boxes to help you sketch the proportions and dimensions accurately. You should also sketch the joints and hinges that connect the moving parts, using circles, arcs, or dots. You can use dashed lines to indicate hidden edges or parts.

3 Sketch the motion

To sketch the motion of the product, you need to demonstrate how the parts change position and orientation over time. You can use a variety of methods, such as sketching multiple views of the product in different stages of motion with arrows or labels to indicate the sequence. Additionally, motion lines or curves can be used to show the path or direction of movement, with thicker or darker lines representing faster or stronger motion. Ghost images or blurs can also be used to illustrate the previous or next positions of the moving parts, using lighter or softer lines for less visible or more distant positions.

4 Sketch the details

Once you have sketched the structure and motion of the product, you can add details to make it more realistic and appealing. You can use contour lines, shading, hatching, or textures to show the form, volume, and material of the product. You can also add features, such as buttons, switches, handles, or logos, to show the functionality and identity of the product.

5 Sketch the context

Finally, you can sketch the context of the product, to show how it interacts with the user and the environment. You can sketch the user's hands, body, or posture, to show how they hold, operate, or wear the product. You can also sketch the background, such as a table, a wall, or a scene, to show the scale, location, or situation of the product. You can use less detail or contrast for the context, to keep the focus on the product.

Sketching products with moving parts can be fun and creative, if you follow these tips and techniques. You can practice sketching different products with different types of motion, such as scissors, fans, watches, or bicycles. You can also experiment with different styles, tools, or colors, to express your ideas and vision.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?