Graphic design: Start from sketch
Graphic design is an art form that involves creating visual content to communicate a message to an audience. One of the most essential tools for graphic designers is sketching. Sketching is the process of creating rough drawings of design ideas, concepts, and layouts. Starting from a sketch can help designers visualize and explore their ideas, and bring their creative concepts to life. In this article, we’ll explore why sketching is so important in graphic design and offer some tips on how to get started.
✦ Why Start From Sketching?
Sketching is a powerful tool for graphic designers for several reasons. Firstly, sketching allows designers to visualize their ideas and see how they would look in real life. This helps designers to refine and develop their ideas before moving on to digital design software. Secondly, sketching is a great way to brainstorm new ideas and explore different concepts without committing to a final design. Finally, sketching is a great way to communicate your ideas to clients or team members. Sketches are easy to understand and can quickly convey a concept or layout, helping to ensure everyone is on the same page.
✦ Tips for Starting from Sketching
1. The first step in starting from sketching is to choose the right materials. Pencils, markers, and paper are the most common tools for sketching. Choose a set of pencils with varying hardness, so you can create different shades of gray. Use markers with different nib sizes to create varied line weights. Finally, choose a high-quality paper that can handle your chosen materials without smudging or bleeding.
2. Before you start sketching, it’s essential to plan your design. Think about the purpose of your design, your target audience, and the message you want to convey. Sketch out some basic layouts and ideas before committing to a final sketch.
3. When starting from sketching, it’s important to keep your designs simple. Focus on the key elements of your design, such as typography, color, and composition. Keep your sketches loose and rough, and don’t worry too much about the details. The goal is to capture the essence of your design concept, not create a finished piece.
4. After you’ve created your initial sketch, take a step back and evaluate your work. Look for areas that need improvement or refinement, and iterate on your design. Create new sketches, refine your composition, and experiment with different colors and typography. Keep refining and iterating until you’re happy with your design.
5. Once you’ve finalized your sketch, it’s time to move to digital design software. Use your sketch as a guide to create a final design, adding in more details, colors, and typography as needed. Remember, your sketch is the foundation of your design, but your final design will likely evolve as you work.
✦ Here listed some ways to find fresh ideas and inspiration through sketching:
1. Keep a Sketchbook Handy
Always carry a sketchbook and drawing art pencil kit with you at all times, so you can quickly jot down ideas or sketches as they come to you. Inspiration can strike at any moment, so having a sketchbook handy and drawing art pencil kit will allow you to capture those ideas before they slip away. Here are some cost effective graphic design kit that you may order now in online:
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | UCreate Poly Cover Sketch Book, Heavyweight, 9″ x 12″, Black, 75 Sheets | UCreate drawing and sketch pads are great for experimenting with various techniques.; making it easy for artists to develop their own creative style. •Premium drawing paper is 70 lb. •Durable black poly cover and back •Spiral bound and Perforated sheets for final art •Each sketch book contains 75 sheets | Check Price |
 | Art 101 Doodle and Color 142 Pc Art Set in a Wood Carrying Case, Includes 24 Premium Colored Pencils, A variety of coloring and painting mediums: crayons, oil pastels, watercolors; Portable Art Studio | •Art 101 is a leading supplier of innovative and fun artistic products with 13 years of experience providing high-quality artistic tools at an affordable price -Country of origin : China -Includes 24 Premium Core Colored Pencils which color, shade, and blend beautifully -Includes a variety of coloring and painting mediums, including crayons, oil pastels, and watercolors | Check Price |
 | U.S. Art Supply 44-Piece Drawing & Sketching Art Set with 4 Sketch Pads (242 Paper Sheets) – Professional Artist Kit, Graphite, Charcoal, Pastel Pencils & Sticks, Erasers – Pop-Up Carry Case, Student | •Complete 44-piece professional drawing and sketching art set that includes every tool and sketch pad you need to create amazing sketches! The zippered carrying case has all the tools conveniently stored in an elevated pop-up organizer providing easy access to them! | Check Price |
 | Bellofy 33 Piece Drawing Kit with 100 Sheets Pad | Drawing Kit for Adults Comes with Sketch Supplies for Kids, Beginners & Artists | Drawing Set Contains Sketching Pencils, & More Drawing Stuff | •Create Masterful Sketches With This Sketch Set – You’ve discovered it too! Art pencils for drawing and shading are developed by artists for you to perfect drawing, sketching & shading techniques. | Check Price |
 | Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Set | • includes bright vibrant colors, Perfect for a colorful mandala. Includes: #247 indanthrene blue (superfine nib), #125 Middle purple pink (superfine nib), #107 cadmium Yellow (Brush nib) and #161 Phthalo green (Brush nib) | Check Price |
 | STAEDTLER Mars Lumograph Art Set | Drawing Kit with Art Pencils, Drawing Pens, Eraser and Double Hole Sharpener | •7 sketch pencils and 3 pigment liner pens let you lay down sharp lines or soft shades. The most widely used graphite drawing pencil degrees are included. From soft to hard: 8H, 6H, 4H, HB, H, 2H and 4H. Pen widths are 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 1mm | Check Price |
 | Copic Ciao Marker Set, 6-Colors, Primary | •This set features a set of six Copic Ciao markers in the primary colors, a perfect base for building your palette •Replaceable tip •Ethanol-based ink dries acid-free •Permanent and non-toxic •Refillable | Check Price |
 | Art 101 Doodle and Color 142 Pc Art Set in a Wood Carrying Case, Includes 24 Premium Colored Pencils, A variety of coloring and painting mediums: crayons, oil pastels, watercolors; Portable Art Studio | •Art 101 is a leading supplier of innovative and fun artistic products with 13 years of experience providing high-quality artistic tools at an affordable price •Country of origin : China •Includes 24 Premium Core Colored Pencils which color, shade, and blend beautifully | Check Price |
 | Amazon Basics Sketch and Drawing Art Pencil Kit | •All-in-one 17-piece drawing and sketch supply kit for artists of all skill levels •Includes 6 pencils (2H, HB, H, B, 2B, 3B), 3 charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard), and 4 compressed sketch sticks (2 charcoal, 2 conté) •Also includes 1 standard eraser, 1 kneaded eraser, 1 blender/smudge stick, and 1 dual-barrel sharpener. | Check Price |
2. Explore Your Environment
One of the best ways to find inspiration is to simply look around you. Take a walk in your local neighborhood or park, and observe the world around you. Pay attention to the colors, textures, patterns, and shapes that you see. Take photos or make sketches of interesting details that catch your eye, and use them as a starting point for your designs.
3. Use Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a great technique for generating new ideas and concepts. Start by writing down a central word or idea, and then draw branches that represent related concepts. For example, if you’re designing a logo for a coffee shop, your central word could be “coffee,” and your branches could include concepts like “beans,” “brewing methods,” “cup designs,” and “coffee culture.” By visualizing these concepts, you may come up with new and interesting ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.
4. Draw from Life
Drawing from life is a great way to improve your observation skills and hone your drawing abilities. Attend a life drawing class or draw everyday objects around your home or office. By drawing from life, you’ll learn to see the world in a new way, and you may discover new design ideas and concepts.
5. Look to Nature
Nature is a great source of inspiration for designers. Take a walk in a park or botanical garden, and observe the patterns, textures, and colors of plants and flowers. Use these natural elements as inspiration for your designs.
6. Experiment with Typography
Typography is a key element of graphic design, and experimenting with different lettering styles and fonts can spark new ideas. Try hand-lettering, calligraphy, or try experimenting with different font pairings to find unique combinations that stand out.
In conclusion, finding inspiration through sketching is all about exploring new ideas and pushing your creativity to the next level. By trying new techniques, exploring your environment, and collaborating with others, you can find fresh inspiration and create designs that truly stand out. Remember to stay open-minded, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with your sketching process! So, stop wasting time, start your sketching process right now!