Drawing

[Dave L]

When it comes to drawing ('sketching' might be a better word), don't get bogged down in full-blown concepts of draughtsmanship or realism; I think the sort of sketching you're likely to require as a designer working in electronic media is about arranging basic shapes within a space to give an impression rather than producing anything with proper artistic credibility.

[jimm1984]

I remember a lot of designers that couldn't draw.

You can still compensate with software skills.

I would recommend developing your 'sketching' skills though. This will help communicate ideas to bosses clients in brainstorms etc.

Cheers!

:-)

[Paul Murray]

This is an example of the type of drawing I'm required to do. (I won't insert them into a post because I haven't resized them)

Initial Thumbnail Ideas created at a pretty small size...

http://www.paulmurraydesign.com/wp-c...5/S7003377.jpg
http://www.paulmurraydesign.com/wp-c...5/S7003378.jpg

Refined Design at about A5 size...

http://www.paulmurraydesign.com/wp-c...5/S7003379.jpg

Pretty quick and basic but you still get an idea what's going on.

[linziloop]

This is an example of the type of drawing I'm required to do. (I won't insert them into a post because I haven't resized them)

Initial Thumbnail Ideas created at a pretty small size...

http://www.paulmurraydesign.com/wp-c...5/S7003377.jpg
http://www.paulmurraydesign.com/wp-c...5/S7003378.jpg

Refined Design at about A5 size...

http://www.paulmurraydesign.com/wp-c...5/S7003379.jpg

Pretty quick and basic but you still get an idea what's going on.

They're some really good examples, I think the OP would find them really useful to have a browse through, thanks for sharing!

[Martin]

A strong foundation in drawing will help you get noticed over other designer with weak drawing skills. My best advice is to start taking life drawing classes, the human form is the hardest thing to draw convincingly.

One of the key aspects of the craft of design is the ability to be able to transfer your thoughts and ideas onto paper/screen. This can often happen in front of clients as well!

Software skills do not replace a lack of drawing skill, practice your drawing, always take a sketch pad with you and you'll see your work improve as a direct result. It will also give you a distinct advantage when you start applying for jobs, there a numerous junior designers with good software skills, very few with good drawing skills.

Martin

[pcbranding]

Agree, a good Art/Design Foundation course is what you need, but generally this is a post A-level course before applying for design college courses.
I did mine at Wimbledon School of Art and it was fantastic 9 months immersion in all forms of art and media.

Paul Cartwright

[ronaldm258]

Do you want to be a graphic designer, if so absolute technique in hand drawing skills are mostly not what is required with day to day life as a designer. What you need is some ability to visualise an idea, but layout and presentation of designs good typography is as important.

Photography is a bonus to graphic designers if they cannot draw, it their is millions upon millions of stock photo's that they can use. So to finish decide what it is that you are because most graphic designers I have worked for really couldn't draw or paint traditionally this is where I came in being a illustrator they did the layout and asked me to draw what they needed

If like me you want to do both great, graphic design and illustration remember you get paid for both jobs and everyone's a critic.