Why Sketching?The trends of drawing in the last decade have included
concerns about colors, styles, expression, and speed.
These features are responses to new technology and our
contemporary lifestyle. Yet these trends have little to do
with the pedagogy of design education and drawing. I see
sketching as the foundation of a strong design curriculum
and a prerequisite course for all future designers.
Sketching is about eye–hand coordination. We see,
observe, and then record. Pencil becomes the medium
through which images are transferred and documented.
Pencil becomes the physical link between the eyes, the
mind, and the hand. It happens to be the ideal sketching
tool because it is easy to pick up and inexpensive to culti-
vate as a hobby. The flexibility and fluidity of pencil
sketching is again another unique feature ideal for begin-
ners. Knowledge and skills learned from pencil sketching
are easily transferable to other design subjects, and the
benefits are immeasurable and permanent.Sketching field notes on the back of printed material.
It demonstrates the ease and simplicity of sketching.WANG_CH1(1-6)3rdpas 6/25/01 11:26 AM Page 3 (Black plate)