A sketch is a rapidly executed drawing and requires a certain speed. But speed is only part of sketching to demonstrate graphically an image, idea or principle. So whatever the drawing mode or instrument, analogue or digital, there's no substitute for skills and experience. For budding designers, however, this may, at first seem daunting but practice turns "poor" drawing skills into good ones: Not necessarily perfect, as a sketch is not usually intended as a finished work. Indeed the sketchiness of the sketch is what gives it character. But "good enough" to help generate, develop and communicate ideas. Also remembering that practice takes effort. Sketching, however, is only one of many ideation or conceptual tools. And arguably, in the digital age not always the primary tool. That is, digital imagery increasingly appears in the early stages of ideation based on graphics software, or video. Moreover, the freehand pen and paper ideas sketch has to compete with ever growing expectations of photo realistic renderings, and from both clients and design colleagues. Yet the ability to sketch out an idea with ease and at speed demonstrating purpose and meaning of the idea not only enhances designer confidence but can help catch and hold audience attention too.
