Conceptual design sketching by Dennis Xavier
Navigating the Future
When tasked with representing your ideas to someone else whether digitally or traditionally, sketching is a great way to do so. In addition to choosing the right tools and materials as the medium to create the sketch, the purpose of the sketch should be clearly defined beforehand so it’s context appropriate.
A designer should ask themselves what they are trying to accomplish with the sketch before putting pen to paper. Are you brainstorming raw ideas? Are you refining an already established design? Are you trying to communicate a functional or aesthetic principle? Who will this drawing be presented to and what are the expectations required to fulfill?
Understanding the fundamentals of conceptual design sketching assists in communicating ideas more easily and effectively. The following principles should be employed by designers when sketching to present ideas better.
Representing a 3D idea on a 2D plane requires perspective to craft a more realistic vision of the idea in the viewer’s imagination. Proportion assists in creating depth, scale, and positioning of elements within the design. Proportion distinguishes size and shape of components and the relationship they share with one another to create a realistic and balanced representation of the design.
Understanding aspects such as the horizon line, vanishing points and foreshortening amongst many others is crucial. There are three main types of perspective that are most utilized to present ideas, namely: one-point, two-point and three-point perspective and are used to accommodate to the complexity and angle of your design.
Another sketching technique to improve your design communication skills is to pay attention to your line quality and weight. Line quality refers to the smoothness, consistency, and accuracy of your lines. It helps you create a clear and confident impression of your design.
Line weight refers to the thickness, darkness, and variation of your lines. It helps you create contrast, emphasis, and hierarchy of your design. To sketch with line quality and weight, you need to control your hand movement, pressure, and speed.
You can use different types of lines, such as straight, curved, dashed, or dotted, depending on the shape and texture of your design. You can also use different line weights, such as light, medium, or heavy, depending on the importance and visibility of your design elements.
A sketching technique that can enhance your design communication skills is to use shading and rendering. Shading is the way you add value, or light and dark tones, to your sketch. It helps you create a sense of volume, form, and material of your design.
Rendering is the way you add color, texture, and details to your sketch. It helps you create a sense of realism, mood, and style of your design. To sketch with shading and rendering, you need to understand some basic concepts, such as light source, shadow, highlight, and gradient.
You can use different methods of shading, such as hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, or blending, depending on the effect and intensity you want to achieve. You can also use different tools and techniques of rendering, such as markers, watercolors, or digital software, depending on the medium and finish you want to achieve.
A sketching technique that can improve your design communication skills is to use annotation and notation. Annotation is the way you add text, symbols, or diagrams to your sketch. It helps you explain the function, feature, or dimension of your design. Notation is the way you add notes, comments, or questions to your sketch.
It helps you document your thoughts, feedback, or suggestions for your design. To sketch with annotation and notation, you need to use clear and concise language, legible and consistent fonts, and relevant and accurate information. You can use different types of annotation and notation, such as labels, arrows, dimensions, or sketches, depending on the type and amount of information you want to convey.
A sketching technique that can improve your design communication skills is to use composition and layout. Composition is the way you arrange and organize your sketch elements on a page. It helps you create a visual balance, harmony, and focus of your design.
Layout is the way you present and display your sketch on a board or a screen. It helps you create a professional and attractive presentation of your design. To sketch with composition and layout, you need to use some basic principles, such as alignment, contrast, proximity, and repetition. You can use different types of composition and layout, such as grid, rule of thirds, or golden ratio, depending on the format and purpose of your sketch.
Remember to be in the moment and question why you’re sketching what you are sketching. Just like any skill, to be a good sketcher requires consistent and focused practice. Practice not only helps an individual to get better but works towards developing your own style.