This was an excellent free event at the V&A. A panel discussion about the role of sketchbooks and how previous festivals had focused on the 3D object, rather than the 2D sketchbook work that solves the design problems. Moleskine notebooks were the choice of most designers.
Sketching is immediate and model making leads to the 3D design process, and critically, leads to a stronger relationship with the object. Powerful. Define through words, then draw. therefore sketchbooks are the beginning of works. 1st point. Portable. Means of managing inspiration. OK for sketchbooks to be free and rough. Curation comes later. Be free. Absolutely no editing in sketchbook. There is no brief for doing a sketch. Terrible sketches with scribbled notes in the corner give a clue to direction and are the important bit. Need to understand the germination of design.
The Jerwood Prize came about at a time when art education was changing and teaching of drawing ceased. Generally believed not to be a good move. But there are a wide range of people drawing in varied ways. Anita Taylor, Director of Jerwood Prize "The page is the mirror of the mind". No definition of drawing; slippy boundaries. "Good drawing is fit for purpose". Need to develop drawing skill. What is it and what is the purpose of drawing? Be clear about what you want to achieve. Drawing is alive and kicking; the new black. Part of being an artist.
Not keen on the "university brand" approach to drawing. (Mind you, the verifiers attending UH were complimentary about how we do NOT have a house style, so at least that is one thing we do well!). Sketchbooks good to communicate the nub of an idea. The idea is what is important. Drawing is a means of communicating. Need to use the communication tool to best effect.
Sketching not necessarily beautiful. It is the process of collecting and thinking that is important. Moleskine is a portable atelier - not a photo! Slower. More selective when drawn. Photos too flat, too many, too easy. Put lists in sketchbook.
Values of drawing - expand thought processes while sketching. Pluralist activity - many right answers. Unpack the definition - see the world anew. Transform with meaning.
Computers adopt someone else's mindset. Computer processes sap confidence in the manual techniques. Very hard to be creative with computers. Very glossy world. Not good. Creative experiences limited because of computers. How inventive can you be with form and function. Possible to get trapped in sketchbook. Need to go to tactility of object. People shy away from it. Easier to go from sketch to digital rendering without doing the tactile object. Lack of craft skills and confidence. Making mistakes is good. Essential that time and money is spent in order to acquire making skills. Lack of value in the space in between the sketchbook and finished object. Capacity of hand making and testing invaluable.
This lecture was excellent and put some useful theory and validation around the work I did last year, when I felt I was working in the dark, evolving a concept, and doing material samples. Very helpful.
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