This workshop presents an accessible framework for understanding sketching to help communication, understanding, and problem solving -- particularly during a design process that includes multiple roles (that don't always speak the same language). I propose, not only that sketching helps bridge gaps in communication and get to a deeper level of understanding, but also that every kind of sketching activity falls into one of three categories; thinking, talking, and showing. In this workshop, for each type of sketching we cover: - Who it helps - What it is - When it can help - Why you don't need to "know how to draw" to use it - How to be prepared to use it You don’t even need to know how to “draw” to learn and apply the methods covered here. After attending this session you will be more comfortable with and better prepared to recognize opportunities where sketching can be used to increase communication and understanding with clients, stakeholders, coworkers, as well as all by yourself, as you work through problems and come up with solutions.

2. I'm
Ray DeLaPena
● Director of Strategy at
Catalyst Group
● IxDA Local Leader (NYC)
15 years consulting for:
Finance, Legal, Education, Medical, Consumer
Hello

3. sketch
verb
to make a sketch or sketches. (Helpful, huh?)
noun
1. a simply or hastily executed drawing or painting, especially a
preliminary one, giving the essential features without the details.
2. a rough design, plan, or draft, as of a book.
3. a brief or hasty outline of facts, occurrences, etc.: a sketch of his
life.
4. a short, usually descriptive, essay, history, or story.
5. a short play or slight dramatic performance, as one forming part
of a vaudeville program.

4. .
"a means whereby the designer could
explore and communicate ideas."
- Buxton, Sketching User Experiences

5. Sketching is about the
not the artifact.
ACTIVITY

6. The artifact
● Quick
● Timely
● Inexpensive
● Disposable
● Plentiful

7. The Drawing
● Clear vocabulary
● Distinct Gesture
● Minimal Detail
● Appropriate degree of refinement
● Suggest and explore rather than confirm*
● Ambiguous*
*
Design Sketches

8. Pocket notebook
●
Personal, portable, readily available
Scrap pile
●
●
1 side printed = 1 side blank
Cheap, plentiful, "green"
Notebook
●
You already have it... you can sketch in it too!
Dry-Erase Markers
●
●
Whiteboards, Windows, Mirrors
Open invitation to sketch!

10. Let’s warm up a bit...
Broken Telephone / Chinese Whispers
1. Write down a phrase (5-10 words)
2. Pass it on
3. Draw the phrase
4. Fold the paper to hide the words
5. Pass it on
6. Write down the phrase (from the drawing)
7. Fold the paper to hide the drawing
8. Pass it on (go to 3 & repeat)

12. Learn
Measure
Build

14. For YOU
When an idea is not yet fully baked
● Working through a problem space
● Thinking up solutions
● Exploring options
Why you don't need to "know how to draw" to use it
● No critics!
● You can't do it wrong

16. A moment on the brain...
Doodling engages auditory, kinesthetic and
visual functions in the brain, enhancing
learning.
Sketching engages two out of three (but
two more than just thinking.)

18. Exercises
1. Think through the problem on your
own.
2. Pair up and talk with your partner to
create a single solution.
3. Show your solution to the rest of us.

19. FIRE!! (Or maybe just cooking dinner?)

20. Think about the problem
● What are the difficulties?
○ Danger or Dinner?
○ Turn it off!!
○ Is it working?
○ What if I’m not home?
● How could it look and work?
○ Inputs, outputs, and sensors?
○ Any new features or interactions?

22. For YOU and ME
When you are trying to explain to or understand
someone else
● Show me what you mean (Let me show you what I mean)
● Using your hands? -- Use a pen & paper.
Why you don't need to "know how to draw" to use it
● It's about the conversation, not the drawing
● You can explain away your lack of artistic ability
● You can define your own visual language

23. Samples

24. Why visual communication?

25. Why visual communication?
External reference (not in our heads) allows for
● Exploration of Concepts
● Different levels of Complexity
● Shared Clarity

27. Talk about the problem*
● Take a few minutes to share your
initial thoughts
● Combine elements from both partners
● Or start from scratch
* Share the paper

29. For ME
(Well… not for you)
When you have reached a level of understanding you
want to communicate or demonstrate
● It should stand alone
● Remember, it’s not art. Don’t make it precious
Why you don't need to "know how to draw" to use it
● You're not restricted to only pictures
● Use words, arrows, color, legends

31. Comics are no joke
Comics combine words, pictures, and icons
in a single unified vocabulary.

33. Show Your solution
● Make it stand alone
● Use words and pictures
● What do you want to communicate?
○ The concept?
○ The sequence?
○ screens?

37. Knowing which sketching mode you are in
will:
● Clarify your purpose
● Improve your speed of problem solving
● Increase your depth understanding

38. http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html

39. ●
Bill Buxton - Sketching User Experiences
http://www.amazon.com/Sketching-User-Experiences-Interactive-Technologies/dp/0123740371
●
Sunni Brown - The Doodle Revolution
http://sunnibrown.com/doodlerevolution/manifesto/
●
Scott McCloud - Understanding Comics
http://www.scottmccloud.com/2-print/1-uc/index.html
●
Dave Gray - Visual Thinking Basics
http://www.davegrayinfo.com/2012/12/07/visual-thinking-basics/
●
Dan Roam - Back of the Napkin
http://www.danroam.com/the-back-of-the-napkin/

40. How was it?
raydelapena@gmail.com
@rayraydel