The secret language of design is hidden in flat views
In short: Before an object exists in three dimensions, it must be mastered in two. Sketching elevations allows designers to deconstruct complex forms into manageable, flat perspectives. By isolating different views of a model, you can communicate precise ideas on paper that 3D modeling alone might obscure.
The process of designing a product begins with the ability to communicate abstract ideas onto a physical medium. While many assume design is an innate talent, techniques such as sketching and modeling are skills that can be systematically learned. One of the primary methods for this communication is sketching elevations—the practice of drawing different views of a model to understand its proportions and structure from various angles.
To master these skills, designers often move through a progression of technical exercises. This includes controlling fine motor movements in the fingers and wrists to form basic shapes, applying shading and toning to indicate depth, and experimenting with physical materials like cardboard or cereal cartons to create 3D models. These tactile experiments serve as a bridge between a flat sketch and a finished product, helping designers visualize how objects occupy space.
A key component of this visual vocabulary is the transition from orthographic views—which show an object from specific fixed angles—to perspective drawing. Perspective techniques, such as using vanishing points or overlay methods, allow for the representation of 3D objects on a 2D surface. For example, designers might use 'quick perspective cubes' as building blocks to construct more complex designs or employ the 'Y' technique to extend cubic projections.
The importance of this methodology is evidenced by real-world applications like the Strida folding bicycle. The journey from initial drawings to a marketed product demonstrates how rigorous sketching and elevation analysis provide the necessary foundation for functional, manufacturable design.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sketching elevations in design - Drawing, sketching and designing (11/19)
- Also: Design and Designing
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