Benefits of Old School design

[Kramer]

How many of us out there in Designerland still execute early drafts with pencil and paper, whether it be for web or print design?

As a GD graduate from way back in 1986, I still do a large amount of early work on paper (still use allot of marker work as well). I find that this allows me to quickly explore alternatives to a layout approach on any given project.

[Gorgon]

I'm still using paper to draft my idea. Like you said, its could explore the idea quickly. When I get the best idea or design, then I'll make it in Illustrator.

[Lerain]

I find myself using pencil and paper more often lately and the results I get tend to suprise and satisfy me more than the ones I get without. So yea, I totally agree with you and I try to do it the 'oldschool way' as often as possible

[Tuoni]

I'm only 22, so I've been using the pc for most of my life allready, but for quickly designing stuff, even I tend to go back to drawing something on paper first, it's just easier and quicker to work out the early stages of most ideas.

I do find it quite difficult sometimes to digitalize what i've been drawing, especially to vectorize it, but I guess that will improve with some practice

[KHDZN]

I rarely use pencil and paper anymore -- a habit that I want to change. I found that once I graduated design school (10 years ago) and was working professionally, I didn't have the luxury of sketching ideas out. Time is money you know.

[Kramer]

I rarely use pencil and paper anymore -- a habit that I want to change. I found that once I graduated design school (10 years ago) and was working professionally, I didn't have the luxury of sketching ideas out. Time is money you know.

Ain't that the truth. The pencil pushers that watch the bottom line don't seem to recognize the value of...well...pushin' pencils.
But now that I'm going it solo, I (finally) have the luxury of building in that upfront development time that I've been missing during my 20+ years in corporate settings.

[_Redrum]

I rarely use pencil and paper anymore -- a habit that I want to change. I found that once I graduated design school (10 years ago) and was working professionally, I didn't have the luxury of sketching ideas out. Time is money you know.

You should remind them that it'll cost them less to receive 10 sketches than one higher quality design

[DreamSky]

As for me, it really depends on the design I have to do.
It is much faster to develop different concepts on a sketch with a pencil first, than directly on the pc.

I have a tablet which I am very used to working with already and it replaces my pencil when I design something on Photoshop.
But when it comes to vector graphics (e.g. logo design), I first sketch my ideas and then materialize those I like in vector on Illustrator

[Tuoni]

As for me, it really depends on the design I have to do.
It is much faster to develop different concepts on a sketch with a pencil first, than directly on the pc.

I have a tablet which I am very used to working with already and it replaces my pencil when I design something on Photoshop.
But when it comes to vector graphics (e.g. logo design), I first sketch my ideas and then materialize those I like in vector on Illustrator

Yeah, kind of the same here.

I also have a tablet, but only use it in combination with photoshop, it's really usefull for editing some things on pictures more fluently than with a mouse.

But when creating something out of nothing i really stick to paper and pencil and then digitalize it in illustrator

[atondex]

Whether it's a logo or a layout, I always start with a pencil and paper, and then for logos I scan the design, and for layouts I reproduce the design in a design software. You can't replicate the speed of pencil and paper on a computer, even with a graphics tablet.

[cthistle]

I agree, whether its layouts for the boards i make or graphic design, i ALWAYS start with pencil and paper. Maybe becuase architecture school has programed me like that, but i can't imagine planning/designing anything any other way.

[jpa]

I always use pencil and paper making schematic designs to translate before in the computer. I found it very useful because you waste much less time and you can redesign the scheme quickly... and I began to design with a computer, not with a pencil.
Saludos!

[adammonk]

I agree, it also makes it look much better in the eyes of a client if you can rattle off some nice designs quickly in front of them.

[Chung Dha]

Zero paper design at the moment. Only packaging I need to construct or fast notes I need to write down. Have been sketching less and less not sure why. But found I can just do the sketch in Illustrator as well and see how it looks. Cause sometimes you can sketch something that looks good but got line that don´t look nice when you finally vectorize them.

[purple]

I have to agree as well. I personally have very little freehand drawing ability, but I still go to the sketchbook for early designing.

[PCALUALY]

I'm 22 and have always liked using graph paper as a starting point. I feel more comfortable with this method and in control of the idea.

[anothersoldier]

im 18 i've been using computers for most of my life doing animation and web design but I've only been designing logo's for about 2 years. I've tried drafting it on paper first but i've never been much for pencil and paper. I find that it works the best for me if I just open up illustrator, type in the clients name and start playing around with fonts and logo ideas. The logo usually starts to come together over the course of a few hours. I can never design something quite as good if im looking at something I drew on paper...i just have to get on the computer and feel it out.

[elantonio]

I still use pen & paper when designing. And it's a good thing that there's still a lot of designers here doing the same.

[Warner Design]

I find it easier to do it on pc. If you mess up or don't like the design you just erase it completely or back up a couple steps and then you don't have a bunch of papers and messy eraser marks. Also once I find the design I like half the work is done because I was already sketching it in illustrator.

Looks like I'm only one of a few that prefer that method though.

[QuirkDesign]

I almost always start out by sketching on paper. It's the easiest way for me to explore ideas quickly. Plus I don't have to be sitting in front of a computer while I do it, which is kind of nice. I spend enough time there already.