How do you use sketching as a concept design tool?

1 Benefits of sketching

Sketching has many benefits for architectural concept design. It helps you to generate and test multiple design options, to express your creativity and style, and to communicate your design intent to clients, collaborators, and stakeholders. Sketching also enhances your spatial thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, as well as your visual literacy and aesthetic sensibility.

2 Sketching process

Sketching is not a linear process, but a dynamic and iterative one. You can sketch at any stage of the design process, from the initial research and analysis, to the development and refinement, to the presentation and evaluation. You can sketch in different formats, such as diagrams, plans, sections, elevations, perspectives, and axonometrics. You can sketch in different media, such as pencil, pen, marker, watercolor, or digital. You can sketch in different scales, from the site context to the building detail.

3 Sketching techniques

Sketching techniques vary depending on the purpose, format, media, and scale of your sketch. However, some general principles apply to all sketching techniques. First, use simple and clear lines, shapes, and symbols to convey your design idea. Second, use appropriate levels of detail, contrast, and shading to create depth, hierarchy, and emphasis. Third, use perspective, proportion, and scale to create realistic and accurate representations of space and form.

4 Sketching tips

Sketching tips are practical and useful suggestions to improve your sketching skills and outcomes. Here are some sketching tips to consider. First, sketch often and regularly, and keep a sketchbook or a digital folder of your sketches. Second, sketch from observation and reference, and study the works of other architects and sketchers. Third, sketch with confidence and speed, and don't worry about making mistakes or being perfect.

5 Sketching tools

Sketching tools are the materials and equipment that you use to create your sketches. They can range from traditional to modern, from simple to complex, from cheap to expensive. The choice of sketching tools depends on your personal preference, budget, and availability. However, some sketching tools are essential for any architect. These include a sketchbook or a tablet, a pencil or a pen, an eraser or a stylus, a ruler or a grid, and a compass or a protractor.

6 Sketching challenges

Sketching challenges are exercises or activities that challenge you to improve your sketching skills and techniques. They can be self-imposed or external, individual or collaborative, formal or informal, short-term or long-term. Some examples of sketching challenges are sketching a building in 10 minutes, sketching a space from different angles, sketching a design concept in 3 words, sketching with a different media or style, or sketching with a partner or a group.

7 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?