To draw or not to draw: is traditional sketching still relevant in the digital design era?
In the era of AI, drawing may appear outdated, but its benefits are still profound and relevant. Beyond sketching ideas and concepts, drawing fosters a deep connection between our eyes, minds, and the environment, allowing us to discover hidden details and express our creativity.
To study architecture, I had to pass a drawing exam that required me to draw from both nature and imagination. I also had drawing, painting, and sculpture classes during the initial three years of my architecture studies. At that time, I wondered why we still had to draw when everything could be done on a computer. Drawing seemed like an archaic practice, and I even thought if it was a waste of time.
It wasn’t.
Looking back, I’ve come to realize the true importance of the drawing classes I had before and during my studies. Without these lessons and a thousand hours of sketching and drawing, I wouldn’t look at things the way I do now.
It’s now clear to me that drawing isn’t just crucial for creative careers — it also has value across different fields. The reason behind this is that drawing enhances creativity. And this is supposedly one of the most important skills in the age of AI.
It’s not about drawing like Michelangelo
When I talk about drawing, I don’t mean finished framed pictures. We tend to see drawing as a useful skill for designers to show and sketch their ideas. Yes, it is a handy and impressive, but not necessary since there are other tools available. Instead of seeing drawing as just a work tool, I see it as a tool that nurtures our creative development.
Creativity: skill, talent, special personality trait?
Creativity has always been a subject of interest, with people discussing and debating its nature. While it is commonly linked to artistic professions, its significance reaches far beyond the boundaries of art. In fact, creativity is incredibly useful in every aspect of life.
I see creativity as a skill we can nurture and improve. By exposing ourselves to various things and activities, we can unlock our creative potential. And the good news is that it doesn’t have to be extraordinary things, but our everyday life.
The power of observation
In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, drawing is an act that allows and invites us to slow down and pay attention. As we engage in the process, our focus intensifies, and we begin to notice subtleties that might have eluded us before. The interplay of light and shadow, the intricate patterns in nature, the nuanced expressions on faces — all become more apparent through the lens of drawing.
The more you observe, the more you perceive. The more you perceive, the more creative you become.
Drawing helps us develop and improve our observation skills. With practice, it makes us more attentive, enabling us to notice a wider variety of things, situations, and intricate details around us.
Why is it crucial for designers, and what essential skills does drawing shape entail?
Paying attention to details
The more we practice, the more details we’ll begin to notice, ultimately enabling us to retain those details in our minds for longer periods. Consequently, this habit enhances our ability to recognize and appreciate intricate features.
Designers must possess a keen eye for details, primarily to observe them within their own projects and secondarily to identify them in various things that can serve as inspiration. Every experience, like seeing a handmade furniture detail, a unique hairpin, hearing an interesting sound or seeing something captivating, inspires our creativity.
Perspective taking
Drawing goes beyond the act of putting lines on paper. It also enhances our ability to take on different perspectives. When we engage in drawing, we are challenged to see the world through different lenses. We learn to understand subjects from various angles, viewpoints, and dimensions. This process trains our minds to consider alternative perspectives and develop the ability to empathize and see things from others’ perspectives.
Curiosity and sensitivity
Drawing helps us learn to choose what’s important and sparks curiosity while deepening our understanding. It makes us more aware of how we see things and how the images we encounter affect us. As we grow older, we often overlook familiar things, but drawing can refresh our perspective and bring back a childlike sense of delight in the world.
Draw, sketch, doodle
Regular drawing practice changes the way you perceive the world by encouraging you to observe ordinary objects and situations more closely, extracting unusual details from them. This skill proves invaluable not only in the realm of design but also in other domains where creativity plays an significant role, such as for example science or programming.
Don’t be afraid to start and practice, it’s not about creating a masterpiece. Here are a few sources that will help you get started:
Ralph Ammer: A quick beginner’s guide to drawing — 6 drawing exercises to get you started right now!
Ralph Ammer: 5 more drawing exercises
One Day, One Theme: Weekly Project With Brooks Chambers
