The Importance Of Sketching
Why is sketching and drawing so important for architects and designers?
It allows the freedom of thought to be processed. The more ideas that are poured out of the self, the more room there is for more ideas. It is the ease, of which, the hand-eye-brain coordination that can bring things to fruition much faster than computer-aided design, modelling and drafting can. This is not to say there aren’t any benefits of computers and what they can do to help. However, to sketch an initial idea is faster by hand than to try for hours on end to get a similar thought or idea out onto the screen.
To sketch by hand also allows you to express what you are seeing or imagining and to push the boundaries of imagination and, in some way, reality. It is your expression that others will see and experience and learn from your perspective, and until we are shown that of another’s, all we have is our own. It is also a way of relating to your world and our world. Sketch and draw often and always, it may lead to something bigger than you imagined. The more you keep your ideas in or slowly release them, the more time you are going to lose on the flow of ideas. What you sketch out for one project, if you are working on a particular project, might work better on another at a later time. It’s the magic within the process that you find what can or can’t be used at any particular time, but nothing is ever wasted. What may be wasted is the time you didn’t take to release your ideas or the world as you see it, that’s the time you can’t get back.
‘The more ideas that are poured out of the self, the more room there is for more ideas.’
Many people can and do sketch or draw even if they’re outside of any creative industry as a profession. Yet, for architects and designers, sketching is just one of the many skills which they possess and aside from this, there is a meditative and therapeutic side to it. It’s something of a laser-like focus, nothing else matters except being present and in your own world. This can be experienced regardless of whether it is for a project at work or other purpose. Further to this there are many more aspects to understand that may become heavier or more esoteric. These aspects may take us down a rabbit hole right now, so for further reading and understanding on this, I recommend obtaining a copy of ‘The Thinking Hand’ by Juhani Pallasmaa.
As we know sketching allows us to create something, to learn something, and to communicate that to the outside world. It does not have to be something new that is of pure imagination, however if we occasionally draw what we see in our environment we become the artist that is within the architect or designer. Yes, there is a form of art within architecture and design. Although many believe the similarities and differences are debatable, and whatever way anyone views this, it is a debate for a later time.
‘The act of sketching creates clarity.’
So, let’s get back to the act and process of sketching. It has the ability to change yours or anyone else’s perspective. Sometimes a quick sketch to explain something to someone and what you’re trying to communicate is more beneficial than if you try to explain with words. Some of us are not wired to think in the same way or connect words with imagined imagery, no matter how many times it is explained and in different ways. Therefore, the act of sketching creates clarity, not just for yourself, but also for those you are communicating with, and the more you communicate through this manner, the better you and your sketches or drawings will become. The consistency and improvements that occur are not unlike learning a new language or any other skill, the only way to become fluent is to keep practicing. Yes, this can be applied to creation no matter the medium. Regardless of whether one has studied it for a career or not, there will always be improvement.
Charcoal sketch: Landscape at Shoalhaven, NSW by Tegan Hancock
To bring it back to architects and designers. Sketching is a core skill that is generally required for architecture and design disciplines. The further students progress through their chosen course, however, the more reliant they may become on technology. Not necessarily a bad thing, however this may be the start of losing the habit, unless of course you are one who is disciplined and not willing to give it up. If so, keep going, keep enjoying it. Then there are various other reasons why we may lose the habit of sketching or drawing, and it could be as simple as the role you’re in. Whether you have been in the creative industries for one, two, or more than ten years. So, what this shows is that the industries are becoming more and more reliant on technology and computers. However, just because sketching and drawing may not be a requirement for your current job or role, there is nothing at all wrong with sketching and drawing for yourself in your own time. No, sketching will never die or fall away for architects and designers, it will always be part of their process no matter how much or how little it is used by any individual or team. At best, it perhaps needs to be brought back to the fore, not to compete with computers and computer-aided design, but to sit equally in importance.
So, as a gentle reminder for us all in design and architecture, take some time to get back into the habit of sketching. Yes, sometimes it can feel like a chore at first, however like many other things in our lives, once we make room for it consistently, either for work or yourself, the process of creation becomes much easier. It can be the spark that pushes us into circumstances that creates a better project, career or even a kind of freedom that can’t be expressed in words. It’s the ease of which you can free your mind of floating ideas to allow for more to flow through, in a never ending reel of inspiration and creativity. That’s not to say there won’t be any creative blocks, but perhaps this continued process and giving yourself the time, will create less of these moments.
‘Sketch and draw often and always.’
Yes, I too have placed myself in the inconsistent merry-go-round of not drawing or sketching as much as I want to or feel I should. We sometimes make excuses to ourselves that we don’t have enough time, or we’re too busy, yet, if we break past the mentality, the chances are, we actually will. It’s like most things we wish to do or might get around to doing but never do and more than likely because we don’t believe it is important enough. Ask yourself, is this really important to me? Will I really benefit from this and improve other areas of my work? To the latter, the short answer is yes, but it relies on the answer to the former. It’s very individual and who knows, it may lead you down a path to something that is greater, even if it’s just for yourself in your own private world.
Remember, Sketching and drawing doesn’t have to be done one way or at any particular point. It may be to casually observe through drawing and sketching. It may be through our imagination and for a particular project, or it could be further down the process of a project and sketching out possible details. All kinds of sketches are always of value. Go forth, observe your world and imagination. Find your medium to express yourself and your creativity.