As our office moves almost entirely to Revit where we are building a complex 3D Model for each project, we find ourselves relying on new and old tools to more efficiently convey design ideas. Recently, we compared notes on methods for sketching. Sketching by hand gets us away from the computer for a bit and lets the hand, head and drawing all connect. The energy and feeling that comes across in a sketch is also key and difficult to produce with a computer model.
Many of us rely on the old methods of trace and pen or pencil to create layers of options on top of a base drawing and watch how an idea unfolds and develops. We find that our clients respond well to the openness of a sketch where we can commit to paper the key components that we know but leave unanswered questions open. It is also effective to pair these sketches with evocative precedent images which help to fill in some of the blanks. Finally, many of us sketch in axonometric in order to figure out exactly how a construction detail is going to come together.
Jonathan brought to the table two iPad programs which are easy to use and offer a lot of options for sketching while on the go or in those few minutes between meetings. Both offer the ability to create multiple versions of a drawing and to send them out to a project team quickly by email. Jonathan recommends both programs and finds it sometimes helpful to begin a sketch in the app called ‘Paper’ which allows a loose drawing and then import that sketch into ‘Sketchbook Pro’ where you can get finer lines. Below is a break down of these two programs. We’re now all itching to get our Feldman iPads and start sketching!
Free app which comes with a set number of pen, pencil, and watercolor styles.
Additional pen styles are available for about $.99/each
Six colors in an appealing palette
Ability to export a page by email as jpeg, or post to FB, Twitter, Tumblr, etc.
Easy to rewind the drawing backwards when you make a choice you don’t like
Takes some learning how the app responds to a finger or stylus since you are not always drawing exactly where the stylus lands and the lines are not super fine.
Recommend the purchase of a stylus (approximately $14)
Inexpensive app for the iPad
Works much like Photoshop or Illustrator
Ability to import and export files via File Share, DropBox, iPad camera or Photo Library.
Layers and the ability to adjust or hide them makes it possible to create many iterations using the same base layer(s)
Template layers available with perspective and grid lines
Lots of different marking tools (pens, line tool, pencils, airbrush, etc.)
Many colors available with an RGB wheel
