5 Drawing Tips for Becoming a Better Designer
Drawing is the original designing.
You don't have to draw to design. You can jump straight into Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, C4D, insert favorite software.
But if you want to excel in design, pick up that pencil and grab some paper.
Here are five tips to help you get better at drawing and designing.
1. Toss It When You're Done
If you're anything like me, you don't like when you sit down to draw something and it turns out all sorts of stupid looking. You know it's just practice, but dang, am I in 2nd grade? That hand looks like a twig.
My best advice for drawing practice is tossing your drawings when you're done.
What this does is it tricks your brain into thinking (truthfully) that this practice sketch is just that. Practice. It's going in the bin. No one will see it.
What this has allowed me to do is draw A LOT more.
More drawing = more better ;)
2. Draw from Real Life
Look at something in the space you're in. Turn it around. Feel it's weight and texture. These things affect the way you draw it.
Drawing from an image can get the job done (especially if you don't have the means to go to the zoo to draw monkeys), but whenever possible draw from real life. Over time, it will make a big difference.
3. Do Some Layups
My basketball coach in high school encouraged us to do 10 layups in practice if we were missing lots of shots from farther out.
The idea is to gain confidence. Get the ball in the hoop.
To translate this to drawing, if you're feeling down about your drawings, find someone else's work and copy it. Trace it if you need to. Take your time and get it looking great!
Step back and take a good look at this marvelous drawing you just did.
Now do Step 1 to it.
You know your fingers can get a great drawing onto paper. You've boosted your confidence.
Now get back in there and make your own creations.
4. Keep It Loose
Capture the essence of the object you're drawing. Make gesture lines. Don't worry about detail.
Think in movements and suggestions. Whispy.
If you have giant paper, this is the perfect time to break it out and draw big with charcoal and chalk.
Draw with your arms, not your fingers.
5. Keep It Tight
On the flipside, line control is a good skill to acquire as well.
Start by drawing straight parallel lines. Keep em close. And don't be afraid to draw reaaaally slowly.
Move on to other shapes.
Draw concentric circles, squiggles, and perspective lines without a ruler.
Train your fingers to move the way you want them to. They have muscle memory the same way you have muscle memory with riding a bike, typing on the keyboard, or playing sports.