Back to the Drawing Board
Its time to put away the keyboard and let go of the mouse when beginning a design project. Get back to the basics because the most important part of starting is getting your ideas out of your head. This will clear your mind and allow you to think more clearly. You will be able to walk away and come back to it later to improve and refine it with an open mind.
Photo by BoxUK
The Devil is in the Details
Sketching is the quickest way to create a solid foundation of a design. A lot of time will be saved since sketching on paper takes considerably less time than it does do recreate that same sketch digitally. The problem with going digital is the details get in the way when using technology because its easy to adjust them (brush size, border, font size, etc).
There’s plenty of time to be a perfectionist. Just do it later. - 37signals (from “Getting Real”)
Re-sketch Again and Again
Sketching out a design is like writing an essay paper back in grade school. You wouldn’t hand in your first copy. Its your worst version and you would probably get a piss poor grade. You were taught to write, re-write, and re-write again until its perfect. Designing is the same way. Sketch, re-sketch, and well you get the picture.
“Pssh, I don’t Need to Sketch”
Not all designers need this step in the design process and jumping right into your favorite editor or drawing program is the best way for you to get your ideas down. However, sketching also gives you a tangible design to show your clients. Odds are your clients are visual learners so your efforts will not be wasted. You can also sketch right in front of them instead of huddling around a computer screen.
Doodle Away
So if you don’t have Draft installed on your iPad then you should whip out your paper and pens, markers, or hell, even crayons to start your design. I guarantee you the more you sketch the more designs you will come up with and you can build your arsenal of kick ass work.
1 Comment
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Jacqueline Lewis
September 20, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Hi. I read Carrots N Cake and Tina recommended that you might be able to help me. I own a small business and my web site is not how I would like it to be at all. I was wondering if you could give me a quote on what it would cost to update it to look more professional and have better pictures/graphics. I can’t afford to spend a lot, but know that my web site will help me grow. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks so much!