There is a sort of old school nostalgia associated with Industrial Design Sketching. The ability to pick up a pencil or pen and visually communicate a thought or concept is a skill that is as valuable now as it was fifty years ago. That tool of visual communication is one that transcends language barriers and cultures, it is a universal language that is shared from designer to client and across the world.
The RISD-ID.ORG team has decided to start an ID Sketching series that will involve talking with students, faculty, and alumni about sketching, their sketching style, and what motivates them to do what they do.
Robbie Lillquist BFA ID ’13 shared with us the above sketch and let us ask him a few questions about sketching to start off the series.
Where are you from? Why did you decide to become a designer?
I’m from upstate NY and art was always my favorite subject in school, but I knew that I didn’t want to pursue fine arts. When I heard about I.D, it sounded like what I was looking for.
What is your favorite utensil to sketch with?
Plain old ballpoint is nice and precise when that kind of thing is needed. Sometimes it’s fun to sketch large and quickly with just a standard Sharpie, especially in the early stages of an idea/project.
What inspires your sketching?
Taking a look through Coroflot portfolios and Core77 threads can be pretty inspirational. Concept artists are also great to look towards because they often have that “ID-sketching” style mastered. Some artists/designers I’m inspired by are:
+ Dannydraws
+ Spencer Nugent
+ Syd Mead
+ Anh Nguyen
+ Beau and Alan Daniels-
+ Jeff Smith
+ Maarten Timmer
What is the biggest consideration when you start a sketch?
+ Loosen up!
+ What kind of sketch is it? For example, I sometimes have to tell myself not to waste too much time trying to make thumbnails too pretty. For some examples of different sketching types [check out this post on Core77].
What is in your sketchbook?
I don’t really have one
. I have trouble drawing on anything other than a single sheet and a table.
What advice would you give to young designers who are interested in learning how to sketch or sketch better?
+ Sketch a lot. Sketch things that you are drawn to so that it isn’t a chore . . . have fun with it.
+ Do whatever works for you — for me, I have a much easier time when standing up and when I rotate the paper while sketching.
+ “Lose the hairy lines.” — Matt Grigsby. (Draw with your whole arm for smooth, confident lines).