In the digital age, where keyboards and touchscreens dominate everyday design activity, freehand drawing might seem like "old school". Arguably, however, digital drawing is just a different medium with different capabilities and to draw digitally is performing the same mechanical action as to draw traditionally. That is, the foundations are the same and the aim is the same. Moreover, it could be said that the digital medium affords more control over the design process allowing designers to focus on creativity rather than medium-specific techniques. Also, digital image generators have the advantage of making things look sharp, shiny and pretty, and delivered at speed. However, in the studio, the pencil remains a hands-on tool for generating and communicating ideas. In fact, research shows that hand-drawing is a complex cognitive process that allows for more deliberate thinking as well as greater spontaneity. Also, to draw, and write by hand can offer more time or opportunity to explore and reflect on ideas and express them visually, be it in the format of a sketchbook, creative journal or mind mapping. Furthermore, the physical act of freehand drawing is multi-sensory, feeds imagination and recalls memory while addressing both the rational and emotional sides of the design task. Yet AI-powered image generators can produce wild and unconventional ideas at ease and at speed which are challenging traditional ideation tools, including the freehand sketch. And so, practise freehand sketching or lose it!
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