User interface sketching tip 3: Use a thick pen
This blog post is one out of several blog posts on improving your user interface sketching techniques. You might want to read the first two posts: Drawing corners and boxes as well as Drop Shadow.
Use a thick Sharpie
Sketching out a user interface is not about details but about concepts. It is about sketching – not drawing. When you draw, you tend to worry too much about making the details look good. This is why you might want to choose to utilize a medium or broad point permanent marker (Like a Sharpie pen or similar) to sketch your interface, instead of a thin point one – or a bullet point pen. So sketch big and focus in on loose form rather than tight line accuracy.
This is also why many find sketching interfaces on a whiteboard especially useful. Being forced not to draw details constraints your thought process into focusing on the concept and ignoring the details.
Some people prefer using crayons over Sharpies as Sharpies often bleed through the paper.
The above illustration illustrates how the sketcher tends to get into details when drawing with a thin marker. The thin sketch is both more correct and more appealing, but at the same time feedback on the thin sketch revolved more around details than the concept. The thick sketch was drawn about 10 times faster, and has its focus more on the concept. With the thick sketch, the sketch could be redrawn and iterated 10 times faster than with the thin sketch. It’s all about rapid prototyping and instant feedback!
Related stories
Related stories
- How to get better at UI design
- From the computer to the wall
- User interface sketching tip 5: Constrain yourself
- User interface sketching tip 4: Get your arm off the paper
- User interface sketching tip 2: Drop shadow
- User interface sketching tips part 1
User interface sketching tip 3: Use a thick pen has 6 comments
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about 1 year ago
Des
19 Feb 2009
You’re not alone here : http://www.37signals.com/svn/posts/466-sketching-with-a-sharpie
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about 1 year ago
tim gummer
23 Feb 2009
good point [ooh NPI.. seriously] – But better still for me is a really thick soft pencil lead – IE the whole thing is normal pencil proportions but entirely made of(coated) pencil lead – my fave is a 9B. Its softer than a pen and feels less committal. Of course it can be rubbed out, but the real security is that it FEELs like it can be rubbed out, and still has tbe ‘broadbrush’ simplifiying effect like to the [un]sharpie you suggested.
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7 months ago
Website Redesign Services
27 Aug 2009
This is just so true. Attention to details is something of paramount importance but can get a back seat at the time of prototyping. Great study and a valid conclusion.
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7 months ago
Real Estate Crm
30 Aug 2009
Hmmmm I tried it and had no problems.
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7 months ago
Web 2.0 Development
31 Aug 2009
Nice information on sketchers.
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6 months ago
Web Designers Dubai
30 Sep 2009
I HAVE TRIED YOUR FORMULA AND FIND NO PROBLEM.