Activity 1.3 Concept Sketching
Introduction
You have heard the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Visualization through images (as opposed to words) allows people to absorb large amounts of data quickly. Sketching is an important skill for engineers and designers. Sketches provide a means through which one can quickly and clearly communicate ideas. Representing existing objects and new ideas with sketches can make the design process more effective and efficient and greatly enhance the ability of others to understand your ideas.
One of the most important skills necessary to create an accurate sketch that realistically represents an object is the ability to make careful observations of the characteristics of that object. Paying close attention to the underlying basic shapes and the relative proportions of various features of the object will allow you to more accurately reflect the true shapes and proportions of the object in your sketch.
Another important key to success in sketching is practice. As is true with most activities (like playing lacrosse, solving Sudoku puzzles, and beating the system in Guitar Hero), the more experience you gain, the better you will perform. So consider carrying a pencil with you wherever you go. When you notice something interesting, something that can be improved, or something you would like to share, make a quick sketch instead of taking a picture. Your sketching skill will improve, you will impress your friends and family with your ability, and you will become a more competent designer.
In this activity you will sketch a variety of objects in your engineering notebook. The goal is to produce hand-drawn representations of real objects that closely resemble the actual objects and that appear three-dimensional. In this activity, you will focus on obtaining the correct shape and proportions of each object from a single “straight-on” or orthographic view and add shading to produce a more realistic three-dimensional effect. You will start with simple forms and progress to more complicated products. Some examples of student-produced sketches are provided.
You have heard the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Visualization through images (as opposed to words) allows people to absorb large amounts of data quickly. Sketching is an important skill for engineers and designers. Sketches provide a means through which one can quickly and clearly communicate ideas. Representing existing objects and new ideas with sketches can make the design process more effective and efficient and greatly enhance the ability of others to understand your ideas.
One of the most important skills necessary to create an accurate sketch that realistically represents an object is the ability to make careful observations of the characteristics of that object. Paying close attention to the underlying basic shapes and the relative proportions of various features of the object will allow you to more accurately reflect the true shapes and proportions of the object in your sketch.
Another important key to success in sketching is practice. As is true with most activities (like playing lacrosse, solving Sudoku puzzles, and beating the system in Guitar Hero), the more experience you gain, the better you will perform. So consider carrying a pencil with you wherever you go. When you notice something interesting, something that can be improved, or something you would like to share, make a quick sketch instead of taking a picture. Your sketching skill will improve, you will impress your friends and family with your ability, and you will become a more competent designer.
In this activity you will sketch a variety of objects in your engineering notebook. The goal is to produce hand-drawn representations of real objects that closely resemble the actual objects and that appear three-dimensional. In this activity, you will focus on obtaining the correct shape and proportions of each object from a single “straight-on” or orthographic view and add shading to produce a more realistic three-dimensional effect. You will start with simple forms and progress to more complicated products. Some examples of student-produced sketches are provided.
Procedure
Create the following sketches in your engineering notebook as directed by your instructor. A front view refers to the view that typically shows the longest dimension and the most distinctive shape. For instance, in this context, the “front” view of a vehicle would actually be one of the side views (driver’s side or passenger side). Concentrate on boxing out the correct size and shape of the object and then refining the sketch based on careful observation. Insert a photographic image of the object represented adjacent to each sketch. Remember to title, initial, and date all sketches and inserted photographs.
Create the following sketches in your engineering notebook as directed by your instructor. A front view refers to the view that typically shows the longest dimension and the most distinctive shape. For instance, in this context, the “front” view of a vehicle would actually be one of the side views (driver’s side or passenger side). Concentrate on boxing out the correct size and shape of the object and then refining the sketch based on careful observation. Insert a photographic image of the object represented adjacent to each sketch. Remember to title, initial, and date all sketches and inserted photographs.
1. Sketch a “front” view of at least two of the following objects: A pencil and a drink can.
2. Sketch a “front” view of at least two of the following objects: A mouse and a computer monitor.
3. Sketch a “front” view of an Automoblox vehicle.
4. Sketch a “front” view of two objects at home: A spoon and a can opener.
2. Sketch a “front” view of at least two of the following objects: A mouse and a computer monitor.
3. Sketch a “front” view of an Automoblox vehicle.
4. Sketch a “front” view of two objects at home: A spoon and a can opener.
Conclusion
1. Explain the concept of proportion. How does the concept of proportion relate to creating a realistic sketch? Proportion is the ratio of different parts of a person or thing. If you were drawing a portrait of a person, it'd be important to use proportion in your portrait, otherwise the person's head may be 50% of the portrait while the body is 20%.
2. Why would the ability to create realistic sketches make a person a more competent designer? This ability would allow the person to get a mental image of the design and allow them to essentially sketch the design in a 3D look, giving other engineers a good idea of what the product may potentially look like.
3. Give an example of a visual or graphic representation of information that has more impact than an explanation of the information in text. A poster of the text's information; possibly a poster of someone doing something described in text.
4. In your opinion, what is the most important thing to know/do in order to create a realistic sketch of an object? I believe the most important thing to do when trying to create a realistic sketch of an object is to keep proportions as well as shading in a reasonable area.
1. Explain the concept of proportion. How does the concept of proportion relate to creating a realistic sketch? Proportion is the ratio of different parts of a person or thing. If you were drawing a portrait of a person, it'd be important to use proportion in your portrait, otherwise the person's head may be 50% of the portrait while the body is 20%.
2. Why would the ability to create realistic sketches make a person a more competent designer? This ability would allow the person to get a mental image of the design and allow them to essentially sketch the design in a 3D look, giving other engineers a good idea of what the product may potentially look like.
3. Give an example of a visual or graphic representation of information that has more impact than an explanation of the information in text. A poster of the text's information; possibly a poster of someone doing something described in text.
4. In your opinion, what is the most important thing to know/do in order to create a realistic sketch of an object? I believe the most important thing to do when trying to create a realistic sketch of an object is to keep proportions as well as shading in a reasonable area.