Although I have chosen a Science TLO for my first Artifact, I believe that communication has been a crucial component of my Industrial design degree, and a crucial skill that I will take with me throughout my career. And so although it takes a different form from the scientific communication of results, information or arguments thought it would be a good place to start my reflection.

 

What we do as Industrial Designers is purely visual and physical communication. We receive or create briefs that tell us a client's story or vision. We as designers then decipher and define the brief in our own words and then we turn this story into a concept and eventually a tangible object or process. This communication process is what we learn and refine from day one. 

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Throughout my degree thus far I have been learning how to draw. Having good sketching skills is crucial as an industrial designer as it is the very beginning of the creative process, Sketching enables me to take a thought or an idea and bring it into the physical realm, whether it's two or three-dimensional it does not matter. I really love this initial process. As soon the sketch is on paper it means that what was once a thought or a dream is now alive in my reality. 

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Sketching is also crucial to the creative process, once you see a form come to life you often don't like it or have new ideas on how you may want to alter it and so you will sketch again and again and again. 

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These sketches can then be used as a communication tool with the client. It allows you to express your initial interpretation of the brief, show style direction, features, and how it would interact with the user. This allows you to check in with the client early in the process and ensure that everyone is happy and on the same page before ideas are developed further in CAD modeling software and early prototyping. 

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I can honestly say that I always thought drawing was something people were just good at. I had no idea that it was a skill you could learn, practice and use skills and styles to improve your abilities. My sketch work has come a long way since starting my degree and still definitely can improve but overall my ability to draw something from multiple viewpoints and perspectives is allowing me to visualize my ideas faster than ever before.  I have taken this skill set into my WIL placement with Yellow Goat Designs and so far have used it almost every time I go into their office. I am so so happy that drawing is now a skill of mine, I thoroughly enjoy the process and look forward to continuing to hone my skills and have it with me for the rest of my life.