This week, we spoke with Marianne Koo (BFA ID ’13), a junior in the department. Koo is from San Francisco, California. Below is a compilation of concept sketches she did for her investment casting class.
Why did you decide to become a designer?
I was drawn to industrial design for its interactive quality. There’s something very satisfying about seeing people physically respond to your designs.
What is your favorite utensil to sketch with?
I really like using pencils. I have a tendency to get really dark really quickly, so pencils help me keep my initial drawings cleaner and more controlled. Once I have a good foundation, I like going over my pencil drawings with a black rollerball pen.
What inspires your sketching?
My main motivation is to get ideas down on paper; my biggest frustration is when I can’t get a drawing to convey a concept the way it seems in my head. Legibility is also very important to me. I’ll bother my non-ID housemates and get their feedback on my sketches; if they don’t understand what I’m trying to illustrate, I’ll start over and attempt to make it more understandable.
What is the biggest consideration when you start a sketch?
I think about which angles will convey the most information. I find that helps reduce the amount of extra sketches I’ll need to do.
What is in your sketchbook?
Really rough thumbnail sketches. That’s where I normally do my preliminary sketches before I move onto single sheets of paper.
Where do you go to for inspiration and advice on sketching?
I learn a lot from just observing peers. It can be really helpful to swap ideas and techniques in person. Sometimes I’ll flip through projects on sites like Cargo and Coroflot and get inspiration from the drawings people post.
What advice would you give to young designers who are interested in learning how to sketch or sketch better?
Get feedback from your non-ID friends! After all, they’re the ones who need to understand your sketches the most.
Sometimes quantity is better than quality – when warming up, sketch everything that comes to mind.
Recently, a professor gave me some really good advice: don’t get attached – it’s a piece of paper. If things aren’t looking good, just scrap it and start fresh.