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Freehand Renaissance

TOWNSCAPE Inc. www.townscape.com Copyright 2011 James Richards FASLA

James Richards, FASLA

Drawing and Creativity in a Digital Age

ASLA 2011 Annual Meeting and ExpoSan Diego, California

October, 2011

Why draw?

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Luis Ruiz Benedetta Dossi

“Design is at a turning point. Our infatuation with—and backlash against—technology is over. Today’s best designers have learned to embrace its advantages and think beyond its limitations by combining the computer with the human qualities of handmade elements.”

- Fingerprint, 2010

no limits on creativity

(don’t let the tool be an obstacle)

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Kona Village Resort, Hawaii, SWA Group

University of Texas at Dallas, MESA Design

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Bridge Enhancement Concepts: U.S. 80 at Collins Road Sunnyvale, Texas

Prepared by Townscape, Inc. www.townscape.info

influences

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Mort Drucker Ronald Searle

Paul Hogarth Mark McMahon

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Gordon Cullen Gordon Cullen, Townscape, 1961

Walt Disney at storyboard conference, 1937

THINKING/DRAWING

concept sketch by Harley Jessup, Pixar

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Pixar Animation

43,563 hand-drawn storyboards

“The computer lets us create worlds and characters that otherwise we could only dream of enjoying. The computer lets us invite you into the dream to dream along with us. The computer is where we finish our stories.

So where, then, do we start them, enliven them, give them shape? As with all storytelling, we begin in the imagination, with an idea. Then we turn to traditionally trainedartists and sculptors, who start with blank paper and lumps of clay. Handmade art — made using the same ancient tools available before writing existed, like drawing and painting and sculpture — brings the vision of our stories to life.”

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www.thegnomonworkshop.com

what does this mean?

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Not “either/or,” but “both/and.”

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Alvar Aalto

Tadao Ando

Use of design imagery

• To capture the creative thought at the moment• To further explore and refine design ideas• To convey an envisioned character• To illustrate a proposed design

Use of design imagery• To capture the creative

thought at the moment• To explore and refine

design ideas• To illustrate/experience

a proposed design

Spontaneous

Premeditated

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Use of design imagery• To capture the creative

thought at the moment• To explore and refine

design ideas• To illustrate/experience

a proposed design

Freehand magic

Digital magic

what do we teach?

• deemphasize “presentation techniques”• emphasize rapid visualization skills

–capture the creative thought now–explore concept–explore character

what should you know?

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Rapid visualization basics… simplify tools

• 12 inch white trace • #2 pencil• Pilot fineliner• 15-20 prismacolor

pencils, period.• sometimes:

– sharpie– blue pastel

Travel set…

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#2 pencil on white trace, colored pencil on back

simplify message

Bill Johnson, FASLA

work small

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simplify technique

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The SWA Group

draw people first

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pull it together with darks

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Darks separate distinct elements while unifying the composition

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annotate everything

Bill Johnson, FASLA

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“Freshness—Designer Quality”

The quick concept sketch…

Trace over digital photos

Use 1-point perspective–simplest, fastest, accurately reflects viewer’s perception.

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This is what you need to know:

Eye-level line(5 ft. height)

Eye-level line

Guidelines from existing features

Eye-level line

Guidelines from existing features

Vanishing point

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Small print of site photo… Find the 5 ft. eye-level line…

Use existing features to find the vanishing point… Quick trace overlays to explore ideas—work fast!

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Pull sketch off photo… Another overlay…refine ideas…

Pull it together with darks… Print at letter size and wash w colored pencils

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Same drawing techniques apply:• drawing from digital site photos• drawing from SketchUp models• drawing from Google Earth images• digital tablet sketching

SketchUp massing model over freehand plan

•Rotate to find best views,•Print screen view at letter size, •Overlay with trace, •Attack the drawing!

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Transit village character: Fort Worth

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Quick aerial sketch from Google Earth

Find best angle and print on 8.5”x11”…

Pilot fineliner on white trace over photo… Add labels and a little colored pencil on back…

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Same techniques for more illustrative sketch… Robert Chipman, ASLA

Robert Chipman, ASLARobert Chipman, ASLA

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Robert Chipman, ASLA

let’s try it!

for more information:• www.townscape.com• www.facebook.com/townscape• www.flickr.com/photos/jamesrichardsdrawings/

Freehand Renaissance

Town Planning and Urban Design www.townscape.com Copyright 2010 James Richards FASLA

James Richards, FASLA

Drawing and Creativity for a Digital Age