1. Always Carry Spare Paper or a Sketchbook
When ideas pop up, don’t wait for the whole picture to appear.
Grab a quick sketch and start from there.
This has always been my mantra, because in the world of design, the journey from rough idea to polished concept happens in the margins of a page—where curiosity nudges you to keep exploring.
2. You won’t Remember Your Ideas. Draw Them!
Ideas often sneak in and vanish just as quickly.
You think you’ll remember them, but hours later—maybe on the way home—you only recall “I had a great idea,” not its content.
The fix is simple: carry a notebook everywhere and dump ideas as soon as they appear. Trust the act of drawing, not your memory. It is not difficult, but it needs a conscious act to add this new habit in your daily routine. Remember, becoming a designer is not only a job, but a lifestyle.
Short, actionable habit: Revisit the note later to decide what to develop next. If it’s still interesting, expand with a fuller sketch or a mock-up.
When an idea pops up, sketch a quick thumbnail first, then jot a line or two about context or function.
A few quick notes to keep you moving
- Carrying a quick sketchbook or a few loose pages makes capturing ideas effortless.
- Rough sketches are powerful; they unlock deeper exploration without demanding perfection.
- Your brain will thank you for freeing the idea onto paper, where it can grow.
In other words, don’t use your brain to store your ideas. Trust Paper (or iPad Pro eventually)
Free your mind by taking them down on paper. You will be much more able to pursue your research deeper later on.
Cheers,
Chou-Tac
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I couldn’t help but notice…
http://i.imgur.com/3igl5be.png
Ahah, I can only see the bear now. Thanks for the story Vladimir ! It made me laughing !
I’m glad you like it 😀