Posted on October 22, 2010 on designerstuff.net
When I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Visual Communications, I had learned the elements and principles of design in order to apply them to all things that communicated visually. I learned about advertising and marketing and how business operated. Faithfully, I practiced the methodology in which I was trained with religious fervor.
For the first few years out of college, as I presented my portfolio full of marker comps, I was often asked by the interviewer if I could draw.
My immediate response was always “I’m not an illustrator.”
They would say:
“Yes, we know that, but
can you draw?”
My reaction was, I’m afraid, rather incredulous.
Of course I could draw! These were freaking marker comps, not typeset printed pieces! Didn’t everyone end up in art and design school precisely because they could draw?
As the practice of design rapidly and drastically changed thanks to the Mac, the portfolios of young design school graduates changed into slick presentations with finished layouts including real photos and type. I began interview with young designers by asking, “Can you draw?”
I know that I could train even my Mom to use a Mac. But the act of drawing, putting pencil or pen to paper, connoted something deeper—a thought process that could be shown and discussed.
People who can draw, can see and think and make deliberate decisions.
I am guilty of going to the computer somewhat early in the process in many cases, but have found that better solutions come after I’ve spent time putting pencil to paper.
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