Wanna get cool design sketches? (Don’t start with details)

Should I get an Ipad Pro for drawing cool sketches?

I really like the idea of “On and draw”. That machine looks really cool. After so long, and deception with the previous Adonit Jot pen (Stylus for Ipad) – Apple seams creating something better than the Samsung Pro Note tablet.

I was chillin’ in front of my Wacom Cintiq 13HD tablet and decided to draw something on it: A sneaker design for Adidas.

I’ll be using the round brush by default of Photoshop.

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How to draw cool design sketches

Sneakers is a cool thing to sketch I love drawing!

When I was a Footwear Designer for Adidas,
I had a lot of freedom to express my lines in my shoe design.

To make a cool sketch, you need to express dynamism in your lines.

• I draw the shoe position like if it was alive, running!
• Imagine the invisible man wearing it
• The strap is also in movement
• The side stripes are in tension
• I added a bit of dust below ejected by the shock on the ground

So the overall shoe will look animated!

This is how you can find creative ideas to animate your products drawing.
Try to look for a story telling.

Example: How would you express the lightness of an iPad? Or the vitality of an energy drink? Or the softness of a jacket…?

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Drawing your cool products alive!

To a certain extend,
we give life to our product being inspired by cartoon animators.

It helps to draw your products in action.
They become more interesting and for a sneaker design, it promotes the energy provided by the shoe.

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DO NOT START WITH DETAILS

It’s a common mistake from beginners that you should avoid.
It’s essential to start with the main shape of your design.
i.e An architect doesn’t build a house starting with a door handle.

As soon as you are pretty happy with your main volume and perspective, relax. Now is the most easy sketching time: Spend time on details.

I recommend you to draw hatching to create contrast, and where you want your viewer to pay attention to.

Draw the logo to give your sneaker design more charism.

PHOTOSHOP TIP: Draw the details on a separate layer.
So you can use your sketch as “underlay” and multiply your proposals
(1 proposal per new layer). You will save a lot of time at creating variation!

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to creating cool sketches, starting with the main shape and avoiding the temptation to dive into details immediately is crucial. This approach allows for a dynamic and expressive design, much like an architect sketching the overall structure before the finer elements.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Express Dynamism: Sketch your product in a way that suggests movement and life, enhancing its appeal and energy. For instance, when sketching sneakers, imagine them in action, as if they are being worn by an invisible runner, to convey the energy and vitality of the shoe.
• Storytelling through Design: Find creative ways to tell a story with your sketch. Whether it’s the lightness of an iPad or the softness of fabric, your design should communicate these qualities visually.
• Draw Products in Action: Inspired by cartoon animators, give your products life by sketching them in use, which makes the design more engaging and informative.
• Layer Your Work: Use digital tools like Photoshop to layer your sketches. This approach not only simplifies revisions but also enables you to experiment with numerous variations efficiently, saving time and enhancing your creative process.

By following these guidelines, you’ll not only improve your sketching technique but also infuse your designs with a unique sense of life and character.

If you would like to see more drawing tutorials and tips about lady shoes or sneakers, let me know!

You can drop a message in the comment below.
Have a happy sketching day!

Cheers,
Chou-Tac