Sketching: Tools of the Trade (Pens, Pencils, & More)
27 May 2010 - 1:47pm
10 replies
1762 reads
ClarkValberg
2007
Anyone have any strong recommendations for specific models of pens or pencils for the UI sketching process?
I'm also interested in any additional trusty accouterments you feel add to the process and quality (rulers, stencils, paper, etc).
Direct links to purchasing pages would be a super bonus :)
Thanks,
-- Clark Valberg
Epicenter Consulting
www.EpicenterConsulting.com
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Clark the king of sketching advice analog or digital is Michael Angeles of Konigi fame. He even makes his own equipment for you to buy. I live in his notebook and really appreciate his pads, too. I find that pens/pencils is a very personal thing. You just have to try out what you like. I do stick to pens b/c I believe that it is better to move on then to erase in order to really take advantage of sketching as a process tool. But pencils are always better for getting details that no pen/marker can do, IMHO. But for UI design, this level of fidelity is definitely not necessary.
So go to Konigi.com
-- dave
I agree with David, do check out Michael's Konigi website.
If you're looking to use shades in addition to lines, for contrast in your sketches - check out Faber Castell Pitt Manga pensets. Available through Amazon for instance.
Does anyone here use Tablet PC's for UI sketching. I am planning to buy a Tablet PC. Please suggest some good Tablets from your experience.
Thanks
Niyanth
Niyanth Kudumula | Graduate Research Assistant | Human Computer Interaction | Virtual Reality Application Center | Iowa State University | Ames, IA-50011
On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 4:31 PM, Reinier Meenhorst <reinier@djust.nl> wrote:
I do and I love it. I'm using a Lenovo x200 with Autodesk's Sketchbook Pro. What I like the most about the combination is my ability to quickly iterate on ideas. The conservation aspect of a tablet is a nice bonus.
I still occasionally jot things down in a Moleskine with my Alvin Draft/Matic and will use a whiteboard once in awhile, but the bulk of my sketching is digital.
On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 7:19 PM, kniyanth <kniyanth@iastate.edu> wrote:
I use the following: Paper Moleskine: Large Grid http://www.moleskine.com/catalogue/classic/hard_black_cover/squared_notebook__large.php
Edward Tufte Ghost Grid paper: http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/posters Pens Pilot G2 ( 05m ) http://www.pilotpen.us/products/gel Zebra mechanical pencil - http://www.zebrapen.com/products/pen/zebra-2-0?c=32 Staedtler 0.3mm triplus fineliner (10 pack in box, which is also a stand) http://www.staedtler.com/triplus_fineliner_gb.Staedtler?ActiveID=2240
Other tools Stencil: http://www.uistencils.com/ (I've got the web design stencil, which is great) Cheers, Sean
On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 3:58 PM, ClarkValberg <clarkv@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Clark,
UXBooth had a great article awhile back regarding this topic - check it out:
http://www.uxbooth.com/blog/tools-for-sketching-user-experiences/
It includes direct links to the pens that can be purchased from Utrecht (which are basically what I also use for hand sketches etc.)
Regards,Jason
On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 12:37 PM, ClarkValberg <clarkv@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Clark, I use the PDF sketch sheets from 960gs.com - available here http://github.com/nathansmith/960-grid-system/. They are ghosted with a feint grid background and also include an annotation column for further details about interactions when you're brainstorming. I've amended them slightly to fit my purpose, as I work specifically on one website ive added the site header and footer and drafted a few that use some of the standard templates we have (1,2,3 column layouts for example). It means I can get a real sense of how the sketches will fit with current layouts even at this early stage. Really helpful thread btw loads of good advice throughout. Cheers Graham
Thanks so much for all these great suggestions everyone.
I've worked my Amazon Prime account to full satisfaction.
I'll post some thoughts on the different pens and pencils I ended up purchasing - thanks!
Have a great weekend!
-- Clark Valberg
the same ones you use to draw?
> Anyone have any strong recommendations for specific models of pens or > pencils > for the UI sketching process? > > I'm also interested in any additional trusty accouterments you feel add > to > the process and quality (rulers, stencils, paper, etc). > > Direct links to purchasing pages would be a super bonus :) > > Thanks, > -- Clark Valberg > Epicenter Consulting > www.EpicenterConsulting.com > >  > > (((Please le
the same ones you use to draw?
> Anyone have any strong recommendations for specific models of pens or > pencils > for the UI sketching process? > > I'm also interested in any additional trusty accouterments you feel add > to > the process and quality (rulers, stencils, paper, etc). > > Direct links to purchasing pages would be a super bonus :) > > Thanks, > -- Clark Valberg > Epicenter Consulting > www.EpicenterConsulting.com > >  > > (((Please le