Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog

Hi DT,

thanks for listing the prior articles published.

I would rightly agree to David, that both are not the same. The evry definition of two words has some meaning in them. To sketch is to just make a gist of idea, or outline of idea or product etc., draw is more to do with composition and render.

may be we can refine it more, let continue discussion on this until we reach a very good conclusion or accurate definition on what “DRAWING ” and “SKETCHING” mean in design. Any takers?

regards,
Raj

Bill Buxton in his book “Sketching User Experiences” discusses the use of sketching to make ideas tangible so they can be discussed and critiqued; also he touches on how the cat of sketching itself enables the sketcher’s brain to make connections. I suspect sketching is more for understanding the problem and outlining possibilities to solve it. When the interaction leads to a favoured route to a solution drawing enables the designer to start exploring constraints and finding specific ways to meet them. Some students at Umea Institute of Design created the book they wished had been available to them whilst they studied: “Design Sketching” by Erik Olofsson et al. The foreword talks of “Sketching - the designers’ visual language.. and class sketching as
Investigative
Explorative
Explanatory
Persuasive
Both Books are great to explore and understand the utility of sketching.

There is an interesting article about the role of sketching in the design process:
http://psdtuts.com/drawing/the-role-of-sketching-in-the-design-process/
It is indeed an important skill for every designer.

Great article Waikit! Reminded me of two things… we used to talk to consumers with digitally created “photos” projected on the wall and handed round as prints. We heard comments and sketched electronically directly on the pix (projected on wall). We then got instant feedback of our interpretation of their comments “No, I meant the other way.” etc.
Also we taught sketching to everyone willing to spend a day learning.
This enabled non-designers to think and communicate more tangibly. Even simple doodles change the conversation!

Surprised you haven’t mentioned Armano’s blog entry: “Sketching Is A State of Mind” ( http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2008/09/drawing-and-ske.html ). He tries to do what Adaptive Path doesn’t, but I think he’s mistaken; discussed in comments. However, the timing was serendipitous since I’ve been ramping up the online ID studio sessions and the first topic (for the volunteers) is on this very topic.

Massive functional disconnect. Too early in the morning; especially with the massive headache I have. Apologies for the confusion. I lost my train of thought when comparing the times to see if I’d commented prior to this post.

What I meant to say was that after reading the quote you culled and comment you made, I was surprised you didn’t get *deeper* into Armano’s entry; including comments where I essentially disagree with the idea of “sketching is about communication” (made prior to this entry of yours).

Only people who talk about doing stuff, instead of actually doing stuff, ever thought sketching was ‘dead’. Its the most important tool in anyone’s box, whether for problem solving or communicating. period.

and no sketching doesn’t have to pretty.

Agree with asango! It’s the act not just the otput that counts!

Jonathan Ive’s thoughts about sketching here…
http://www.channel4.com/4talent/ten4/ive.htm

care to show us some of your sketches? hope to learn more from you

Hi All,

Sorry for the late reply. These days I have so little time, its either blogging or commenting not both!

@Raghuraj: I dont have any references, but personally I liken sketching to what most designers do, getting the ideas down on paper. I see drawing as what artist do, where they reproduce what they see on paper. I may be wrong.

@Jim: Thanks for the blurbs. I usually don’t go into such detail and try to keep things simple. That’s what makes David’s description easy to understand.

@waikit: Thanks for the link!

@csven: Hey thanks for stopping by. I saw your discussion on his post. I intentionally only culled or edited the initial part of the quote, partly cos I did not quite understood the scope of the discussion and also did not want to go there!

@asango: That is a classic comment! Thanks for stopping by and leaving it.

@Billy: Hey thanks for your comment. Check out some of my sketches here: http://www.designsojourn.com/tips-on-how-to-improve-your-drawing-ability/