How to Engage Your Audience with Dynamic Sketches
David Zakarias-Weich recently asked me on the Design Sketchbook’s Facebook page about how I present my sketches. It’s a great question because sketch presentation is just as important as the sketch itself.
Whether you’re preparing for an oral presentation or building your portfolio, your sketches need to communicate not only your ideas but also an emotion.
Why Do Designers Draw Trainers in Motion?
You might notice trainers are often drawn with the heel slightly raised—a pose you rarely see in real life. Why?
It’s simple: presentation matters.
Just like a bottle of wine displayed perfectly on a stand, a product sketch is designed to catch the viewer’s eye.
Dave added a great point: showing a shoe in action helps convey how it works, making the design more lively and convincing.
You can find the video at 16 Tips to Draw a Sneaker.
The Power of Sketching with Motion
In Industrial Design, there’s sometimes a misconception that work must be technical, cold and mechanical. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Designing is an artistic process, and the way you sketch should reflect your style and personality.
Your sketch doesn’t just communicate the form or function of the product. It tells a story, it flows with energy and life. Adding motion to your lines creates a dynamic feel that engages your audience on an emotional level.
How Your Sketch Style Impacts Your Design
The way you draw can influence the final product forms.
For example, transport or boat designers use fluid, flowing lines to suggest lightness and speed. Those lines shape not only the sketch but the mindset behind the design.
Sketching with motion.
Toyfon alias Tommy Forsgren – Conceptual designer
E-Motion: Emotion and Motion Combined
Notice the word “emotion” includes “motion.”
Dynamic sketches bring emotion into motion. “They move us”.
They invite your audience to feel the energy behind your idea. This connection between action and feeling is what makes sketches arresting and persuasive.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Sketches Speak
You have awesome, unique ideas, great! Now take it further by giving your sketches life.
Engage your audience with your lines. Make them see, feel, and believe in your product from the very first look.
Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll share some fantastic artists who inspire my sketching style, many come from the illustration world and bring amazing life to their drawings.
Keep sketching!
Related article: How to draw Lively lines here.
How to draw with a Professional sketching style
Amazing article man . and I just read your e-mail man.. Hahaha I wasn’t scolding you , I was just curious to know .
Hahaha, it was fun to receive such message :). I am always glad to receive good surprises.
See you and
Keep sketching ! 🙂