Friday 25 March 2011

The Power of Sketching!

It takes just a quick glance, maybe a couple of seconds, for someone to evaluate your idea or design concept. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about your idea based on your confidence, your experience, and the way you are presenting that specific idea.

 

The first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making the right first impression is  extremely important, for they set the tone for any client relationship that follows.

 

So, whether they are in your design career or social life, it's important to know how to create a good first impression.

 

You can have the best idea but if you don’t know how to present it you can’t sell it. 

 

 

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Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Spain sketched by Frank Gehry

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and so the "idea" you first present says much about you to the person you are meeting. There are many different ways to present the idea/concept but the basic one is just as simple as a quick but convincing sketch with white paper and dark ink. Is your sketch saying the right things to help create the right first impression with the client? 

 

Having the ability to sketch in front of the client will showcase that you are able to put an idea on paper.  You don’t have to be the best sketching artist it is the way that you communicate the idea and a client will understand what you are trying to say.  Frank Gehry is a great example of this.  Every time he is presented with the location of a project he sketches the idea, then he develops that idea into something more clear until the idea is finally completed.

 

I am not by any means Frank Gehry and I can’t compare my skills with his skills but this is how I always start my design process.  It doesn’t matter if I am designing a logo or a family room I always start with a pen and paper.  I want to know - Do you sketch?

 

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Shoal Point Residence – Sketch by Iván Meade



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

11 comments:

Brillante Interiors said...

Very interesting post and I agree with you regarding the first impression. I like to learn as much as possible to improve my sketches because it is a great tool.

pve design said...

Yes and it took me years to know that one's own style is key. I love that certain illustrations can be the birth of an idea. I used to sell my drawings as a child, door to door and I never stopped as an adult! :)
Hope you are well.
pve

Karena said...

Ivan,

So interesting because I have just begun sketching more..it is a great release as well!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Unknown said...

Hi Ivan
You new Blog layout is great....and yes I do sketch, and doodle, and have post-it notes all over my bulletin board. And you are right; almost always that first quick sketch will cement the finished design. I find it is always best if I do not labour it too much.

CREED said...

Hi Ivan,
Yes, I always sketch my ideas and concepts with pencil and paper first, (but not very often in front of clients). They're absolutely the most effective way to communicate with both clients and trades - often 4 or 6 months into construction we're still referring to those same initial sketches. Love your drawing btw!!

Jamie Herzlinger said...

There is nothing that replaces sketching as it mirrors what is really in ones heart and hands!
Great post!
Jamie Herzlinger

Brittany @ArtisticallyConnected said...

Great post! Sketches are so important because unfortunately not everyone can read your mind :)

Great sketches BTW!

Echo said...

Hooray for the new blog look!

And AMEN to the power of sketching!!!

I could definitely stare at Frank Gehry's sketches for a long time - they are stunning!

GED online said...

great sketches and outstanding outcome:)

Claudia Juestel said...

You are so right Ivan! Being able to sketch is a wonderful skill as a designer that is starting to get appreciated again.

I used to draw all the time ever since I was little, and now I rarely do it. My design process starts with words, as I am more aiming for the emotion of the room first.
But I should do it again more.

Cheers,

Claudia
P.S. Great sketch Iván!

Jonathan said...

As a young design student my professors are constanly pushing how important it is to be able to sketch. It seems as though anyone can whip together a computer rendering these days but when you're in front of a client, the only tool that you have is a pen and notebook to convey your ideas.

It is in that moment when the real magic happens and we can truly design without limits.

I'm thrilled that we're all on the same wave length.

-Jonathan