As a tool or skill, sketching has its role in the design process. That role will vary depending on the end-product being created, the size and scope of the project, the individual designer's style, experience, and workflow, and the client's expectations. Find out more about how sketching is used in the design process within multiple design disciplines.
The role of sketching in digital art varies depending on if your creating Web sites, identities, illustrations, product concepts, or other designs. An illustration or a logo is likely to need more sketching than a website.
A large project with a significant client budget will benefit from sketching throughout the design process. This makes sure that before massive amounts of time are invested on refining a solution, a direction is first agreed upon with the client. Sketching can start loose, beginning with basic concepts. Then work on compositions or layouts. After those directions are chosen, the concepts can further be refined with detailed sketching.
5 Uses for Sketching in Design
There are multiple uses for sketching in the design process. Below is a review of five categories of uses with examples and links.
1. Rapid Concept Development
Sketching is an excellent way to quickly explore concepts. You can sketch for one or two hours and work out multiple possible solutions to the design problem at hand. This is an essential step in the design process. It will save you time to work through concepts on paper before going to the computer. While it is possible to build sketches on the computer, it's not as fast as sketching multiple concepts on paper.
In the article bioTrekker Logo Design Sketches, designer Karley Barrett shows us her vast use of rough sketches for logo design development. She explores over 60 possible solutions before narrowing the concepts down to just a handful of best ideas. It's interesting to see how she explores iconic imagery, typography, and layout.
She works through multiple ideas and searches for the best presentation of those ideas. Because she's making small sketches, she's able to work quickly and generate a multitude of ideas in a relatively short period of time.
Product designers spend a lot of time sketching. If you're going to design the next sport shoe, piece of furniture, or bike, the idea doesn't start in a computer, it starts on paper.
James over at the blog Bicycle Design has this to say about sketching, "Putting ideas quickly on paper is the only way to evaluate them to see if they are worth exploring further. Computer renderings and modern CAD and modeling packages are great, but thinking on paper with a good old-fashioned pencil is always the place to start."
2. Basic Composition or Layout
Sketches are a quick way to create the basic composition of your illustration. They are also used in Web site design and graphic design to quickly evaluate layout choices. You can make a series of thumbnail sketches, or they can be larger. As long as your sketches are good enough that they capture the necessary elements, drawing skill is unnecessary.
In the tutorial Creating A Cool Vintage Collage Design In Photoshop, Fabio describes how it's faster to do some sketches before going to the computer. As you can see below, he captures the basic composition on the left in a sketch. Compare the sketch to the final Photoshop image on the right. You can see the basic layout was worked out on paper. The image of the woman is represented by a stick figure in the drawing. It doesn't require amazing, or even good, drawing skills to work out composition before opening up Photoshop.
Web Design from Scratch is a well-known Web site that offers practical advice on building Web sites. In the article The Complete No-Nonsense Guide to Designing Websites, the author has this to say about pencil sketching layouts: "The quick pencil sketch just helps me quickly record the likeness of what I've visualized in my head. Then I don't forget and can make it up quickly in Photoshop. I find this way of working a lot more efficient than starting off in Photoshop." As you can see below, drawing skill isn't necessary to capture layout composition either. The left side below is the sketch, and the right side is the final design.
3. Client Communication and Approval
Showing sketched thumbnails or compositions to clients, will potentially save you an enormous amount of time. The more detailed the project will be the earlier you want client approval. If you're going to spend hours on an illustration, you want to make sure the client is in agreement with your choice of design before moving forward. Getting thumbnail approvals from clients is a common part of the illustration process. It is also common on large logo design projects and other projects as well.
The SOS Factory designs predominately mascot logos. Their workflow follows a methodology similar to a comic book design studio. The individual that sketches is often not the same as the one who does the line work. The designer, colorist, and art director are all different roles. They break each role apart into specialties.
At this studio, the sketcher works out concepts and client corrections with the art director and designer. The client approves artwork before it goes to the next stage of inking and coloring. This saves time by solidifying an idea before going on to more advanced stages in the process. The example below is a concept worked out based on initial client communication. This sketch is then sent to the customer for approval or for change requests. Once the sketch is finalized, the design moved to the next stage of inking the line work and then coloring the character.
In the article From Sketch to Vector Illustration, Bill at GoMedia explains how early in the process they get client approval. They send a series of rough compositional sketches to the client before drawing a more detailed sketch. Below left you can see the one the client chose. Then on the right a more detailed sketch is done before moving to the computer.
4. Visual Exploration
Sketching can be used as a journaling activity to record and explore your interests. It can also be used to explore multiple options you could take in a particular design.
Sherrie Thai has a portfolio over at Coroflot. She has a section there dedicated to Sketches. These sketches show her visual explorations in multiple fields of design. In the sketch area of her portfolio, she visually explores topics such as patterning, identities, and tattoo styles.
The product design book Design Sketching explains the entire process of sketching for product design. It offers tutorials, explanations, and examples. The example below from the book shows how a designer might investigate a problem and explore potential solutions.
5. Refining Visual Solutions
The process of creating a design or illustration at later stages involves refinement. The overall concept and direction of the piece may be working great, but one element isn't. Often, this can be tightened up and corrected in further rounds of sketching. Of course, at some point a digital artist moves to the computer. The process of sketching then moves into digital drafts.
In the article A Project with Angel D’Amico you get a feel for how important sketching was in this project, but also how seamlessly the artist moves to Photoshop. In some cases, the artist prefers digital solutions as further client corrections are requested. The artist decides which medium will get the job done faster as a deadline looms.
I mentioned the article From Sketch to Vector Illustration a little earlier. It's an excellent reference on this subject. Bill discusses refining illustrations before going to the computer. There is a section titled, "Often times some aspect of the illustration looks bad. A professional artist will re-work that part of the illustration on a separate piece of paper until they get it right." He then explains his process.
In this situation, the artist has identified the need to rework a part of the sketch. In some cases, it may be based on a client request, like with Angel D'Amico above. Regardless of the reason, you'll ultimately want a tight sketch for detailed work. Below is a section of one of Bill's tight sketches. After that he brought the image into the computer to complete the process.
Conclusion
You may feel the desire to skip sketching and jump straight to the computer or work out your solutions as digital sketches. There is nothing wrong with that, especially for your own experimental work. There is no quicker method for exploring multiple visual solutions than sketching though. Try to weigh the advantages of sketching in regards to the project at hand.
Hand-drawn sketching plays an important role in the digital arts. The larger a project is, and the more concepts a client will need to see, the more sketching will prove its worth in your design process. Consider using rough sketches for composition or layout options in your next project. Or push yourself to do another handful of thumbnail sketches before firing up Photoshop.
Let us know what your experiences are with sketching before jumping to digital within your design process.
Related Posts
Keep reading with more great tutorials and articles!
Enjoy this Post?
We'd love your vote!
User Comments
( ADD YOURS )james April 20th
nice
Ewan April 20th
Yay! I’m the first to comment!
Anyway, thanks for this article!! Love it
Ewan April 20th
Oh, guess I’m not the first to comment. Geez
Chris Hoeppner April 20th
I always had a very bad hand at drawing, but sketching is important enough to do it, even if your hand-made stuff is crap. There’s nothing like having a clear mind about what your goal is once you sit at the cpu desk.
Arnaud April 20th
The sketching is very important !
goldenthunder April 20th
cool cool thanks
Ben Griffiths April 20th
Sketching is something I don’t do nearly enough for any of my projects - might have to get myself a sketch book! Great article, thanks
Tom Weber April 20th
Thanks for the article!
Sketching is something I don’t do nearly enough, even though I’m often told how helpful it is. You’ve got me thinking of starting to do it…
Also, as we can see from Sherrie Thai’s sketches, a completely filled sketchbook can be a beautifully artistic thing!
Enes Kaya April 20th
Thanks, very helpful
Andrew D April 20th
I use sketching in web design and logo design all the time
D.A.T. April 20th
Thanks for the good article. I myself need to sketch more.
godonholiday April 20th
I like to try all the tutorials, learn the skills and then try and draw a sketch of my own design using the new skills i learnt. Great article
Doug S. April 20th
I find I don’t agree with this article. Though it does say sketching or not is a personal choice it makes it sound as if there is no other logical choice when the work is important.
However I find it slows down my process. Also, I can’t sketch for nothing and I hate showing such rubbish to clients as I find it very unprofessional. Most of the time I find sketching unnecessary. Also, where he states larger clients wish to see large numbers of sketches, I don’t think this is true. Apple, for example, said they like to start with only three solid comps and go from there. There might have been ideas that lead to them, but when you present things they present three alternatives. Each different. From there they work from one. I find this approach much better as it allows the client to have sufficient choice as well as allowing you to weed out the worst designs before they see them.
Remember, too much good choice is almost worse than no good choice. Either way it can be detrimental. In the end I think it’s better to submit a few concepts, well developed and in a professional manner.
JPOG April 20th
I’m glad for this post. I have been trying to sketch more often with my designs and what I want to achieve. Great information and great inspiration, I’m gonna go buy a big moleskin sketchbook now
Lamin Barrow April 20th
Thats right, sketching is absolutely necessary in the construction of any design or code project. Thanks for shedding light on this Sean.
hamid April 20th
where is collis if i may ask?
im sure everybody like me missed him…
PixlNinja April 20th
Can you make a post how to start sketching.. ? The principles of sketching, the tools needed for that. Different types of pencils etc..
That will be a great post
PerfectPhotoshop April 20th
[[Can you make a post how to start sketching.. ? The principles of sketching, the tools needed for that. Different types of pencils etc..
That will be a great post]]
Yeah, that will be a really great post! I’m just in the world of Photoshop and illustrator.
D. Carreira April 20th
Thanks, cool tutorial…
David Carreira
Constantin Potorac April 20th
:))) Fabio makes the sketches just like I do :))
Daniel April 20th
Good article
Daniel
Xavier April 20th
Really useful.It remains to learn drawing… ;.)
giackop April 20th
Cool.. I love to sketch even if i suck at it..
Has.n April 20th
Very important and all the good designers must proceed like that!!!!!
Johan April 20th
Interesting! Thanks Sean.
Daniel April 20th
a very important step not to forget!
thanks a lot, very nice article.
Aidil April 20th
VALUABLE and TRUE..
I remember my lecturer Mr Halim telling me to always always always sketch…
God Bless him
Shane April 20th
Good, timely article. I’ve just been some sketches for a new website, and consider it to be the best way to get ideas out of my head and onto some form of media.
Ali April 21st
a very important article *checks to see if my names gone a place up*
Zach April 21st
i vote for a tut like the one pixlninja suggested. i would really appreciate it and im sure others would.
Andrew D April 21st
Real quick question, WHERE ARE THE FORUMS WE WERE PROMISED?????BAHHH!
Danny April 21st
Ah, I love to sketch first too. Thanks for the post, very helpful to put things into perspective.
Joefrey Mahusay April 21st
Very informative. Thanks for sharing
Aminur Rahman [aka Tom R] April 21st
very constructive, something along the uni readings. great addition to this site.
Bertje April 21st
The guy who teached me how to draw wrote a book about it: http://www.bispublishers.nl/bookpage.php?id=92
BogDinamita April 21st
definetely something I gotta work’ on
Matt Radel April 21st
Sketching is amazingly important to the design process. If I don’t start with pencil & paper I feel completely lost. Great write up!
Jennifer April 21st
Great article and great examples, thanks. I’m always nagging my students to start EVERY design with a sketch. It doesn’t matter if you can’t draw. You can probably get 10 ideas out of your head and onto paper (in some form, it might not look like a work of art), whereas if you jump straight onto the pc and into PS or AI you might get one idea out.
Timmy April 21st
Gotta start with the paper and pencil for sure.
Harry April 22nd
Nice , good to see a tut on the basics!
Karly Barrett April 22nd
Sean,
Thank you for linking to my blog. I am happy to share my love for sketching with everyone. I hope others are inspired to pick up a pen or pencil before they jump on the computer.
maul April 22nd
“Thats right, sketching is absolutely necessary in the construction of any design or code project.”
-Lamin Barrow
Actually, no. It isn’t. Nice try though.
Monit April 22nd
Yeah, Sketching is real important. I am getting to know this when I am doing cell animations….same I can now apply to my web design as well…..My design skill have certainly improved the day I started brainstorming on concept and then sketching them in my notepad….
Monit
Lindsey April 22nd
I haven’t sketched in a long time. I do sometimes when I’m growing an idea for a new design, but not hardly enough.
It’s actually easier for me to “sketch” in photoshop before than on paper. I think I am an awesomely bad drawer (sp??), so I like to work things out in photoshop before I start working on the final version.
Maybe if I was more confident in my drawing I would do it more….
Also, with my current job there is no time to take a pratice run with a sketch before working it out in photoshop… I guess everyone has their own process.
mister adam April 22nd
To those of you who were asking for a tutorial on sketching, allow me to take the liberty. I don’t even need to use any pictures as examples.
1: Pick up a pencil (any kind will do, I prefer the kind that makes marks on paper), or a pen (also any kind will do, I prefer blue or black ink, you may prefer another color such as red).
2: Put a piece of paper on a flat sturdy surface. As far as types of paper, I prefer the blank white kind. It can be loose or in a sketchbook.
3: Start drawing on the paper with the pencil or pen.
Then you’re on your way! It’s that simple!
Artsteez April 22nd
All about the sketch designer books!, I have tons of these. A lot of people would be surprised what comes out of random doodles for ideas, whether your good or bad at drawing.
James T April 22nd
Wow, those sketchbook pages from Sherrie Thai are amazing! Actually, most of the sketches featured in this post are really nice. I feel honored that my rough little thumbnails were included in such great company. Thanks for the link.
Sean Hodge April 23rd
I’m glad people are finding this post helpful. For those that are struggling with getting started with sketching try to not set your expectations to high. Keep a drawing journal that you doodle in. The most important thing is to learn to think visually. Drawing helps with that.
To bring sketching into your workflow try starting with thumbnail sketches, as they require less skill, but allow you to review multiple solutions quickly.
With choice of instruments, try not to worry about that. Use whatever is available. As your process refines you may find that certain pencils or pens are effective. If you get heavily into illustration you’ll certainly learn the different between different weights of pencils. But to get started, use anything available. You’ll develop preferences over time.
I actually use whatever I can find, as my tools always seem to dissapear, like socks in clothes dryers. I often end up sketching on printer paper with a ballpoint pen or a mechanical pencil. Graph paper is good for some sketching as well. It helps you to line things up. Experiment and have fun with it.
Tim Kadlec April 23rd
Good post Sean! For anyone looking for more information on sketching as it relates to design, I would highly recommend “Sketching the User Experience” by Bill Buxton for a nice, detailed look.
virgÃnia April 25th
That’s a lie!!! In real life u dont have time even to sketch something……
rybaxs April 25th
i love sketching.. but i dont think we have time to sketch creatively.. those sketches are awesome.. like professionals.. ideas are passing by always in our mind, so its better to sketch them all before it vanishes away.. great sketch uv g0t there… i like it..
.m April 27th
First and foremost, congrats for a beautiful site.
I love tutorial! ^____^
….
I know some clients love to see a folio showing the entire process from sketches to finalized work and I have tons of these sketches, but i always have problem including it into my online folio. Any tips?
thanks and keep it the good work
Sheetal April 27th
Sketching is really very important.i have a passion of sketching.i can make sketch looking at your face in 10 minutes.thts my hobby but now i am searching for a career in it.Please suggest
Sketchplanet April 27th
Good tips, although I’m still confused on how to get from the pencil start to vector finish really..
Sherrie Thai May 18th
Hello,
Thank you very much for including me in your article. It’s an honor to be mentioned as it’s a subject I hold dear. I’m a true believer in sketching and conceptualizing before a project. In my own work, I realized that if I put things down on paper beforehand, I end up saving lots of time in the long-run. Sometimes, it’s not as necessary to do numerous sketches, but it does help in developing ideas.
The role of sketching fluctuates and becomes more personal since it depends on the type of project you’re working on. For illustration, initial sketches are more important to get the content and form down before you spend countless hours perfecting the piece. For web, it can be quick thumbnail sketches and some layout designs. Regardless of the field, conceptualizing on paper can be very helpful.
Call me a purist, but sketching is a staple in the creative process and is good way to experiment with ideas on your own terms. Don’t worry about whether the sketch looks good or not–you don’t have to show the initial designs to anyone–it’s more about the ideas.
Thanks again for the article. Awesome stuff!
Shameer Khan June 1st
cool article
sosyalizm July 5th
thanks man good article.
Kzida August 22nd
I was always drawing in the lessons at school I have this little book with all with pages.
and I had it with me all the time…
so when I saw something and got this great idea i coul draw it immediately.
so now I’m starting at a school for design and have this little book with a lot of ideas and stuff I can use.
there is so much inside it
I really like this Tutorial.
there is no better way to begin
brennan ayres September 8th
this artical was healpfull for my edjimucation
mike September 9th
cool
mike September 9th
coolo
ade November 3rd
nice..
Nick November 7th
Thank you! I suck at sketching but my girlfriend is great at it and it makes my jealous…I bookmarked this and will read it thorougly tomorrow.
Add Your Comment
( GET A GRAVATAR )Your Name January 9th
Trackbacks