At Sketch Group, sketching is at the heart of how we simplify complex concepts for our clients. Our professional illustration team constantly seeks out new ideas to create visuals that are clear, engaging, and meaningful. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we keep our creativity flowing and turn our inspiration into effective visual communication.
Immersing Ourselves in the Subject Matter
We don’t start sketching without first diving deep into the topic. Our team reads articles, watches videos, and researches to understand the subject fully. This immersion helps us sketch with clarity and purpose. By familiarizing ourselves with the material, we can create visuals that truly capture the essence of an idea.
Using Sketchbooks as Repositories
Each of our illustrators keeps a sketchbook full of half-formed ideas, quick gesture drawings, and visual metaphors. We collect observations from daily life, like the way light falls on a building or the emotion conveyed through someone’s body language. Flipping through these sketchbooks often reignites old concepts or sparks new directions for our projects.
Mind Mapping for Visual Brainstorming
To generate ideas, we use mind mapping—a visual way to brainstorm by connecting keywords, concepts, and rough sketches. We explore how elements relate to each other and add simple icons or shapes alongside our notes. This technique helps us see the bigger picture and structure our visuals effectively, setting the stage for how we’ll communicate an idea.
Finding Drawing Inspiration Outside the Studio
Our illustrators often seek drawing inspiration by stepping outside the studio. Taking a walk, visiting an art gallery, or observing street art can recharge our creativity. These experiences feed into our work in unexpected ways, like a new color palette inspired by nature or a texture idea borrowed from a cityscape. A change of scenery often leads to our best ideas.
Collaborating and Sharing Ideas
At Sketch Group, we believe in the power of collaboration. We hold brainstorming sessions to exchange ideas and learn from each other’s sketches. Sometimes, a simple suggestion or a unique visual approach from a colleague can inspire an entirely new direction. These interactions keep us evolving and push our creativity to new heights.
Setting Daily Sketch Goals
To keep our skills sharp, we commit to sketching every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Consistency keeps our creative muscles engaged and prevents lapses in drawing. Whether it’s a simple doodle or a more involved concept sketch, daily practice ensures we’re always ready to create.
Limiting Tools for Creative Focus
We occasionally restrict ourselves to using only one tool—like a single pencil or pen, a single colour, or a brush that we’re not used to using exclusively. This limitation forces us to think differently and simplify our approach. By narrowing our options, we challenge ourselves to find creative solutions within constraints, which often leads to fresh and innovative sketches.
Using Music as Sketch Art Inspo
Music is another powerful source of sketch art inspo. We sometimes put on a piece of music and let the rhythm or mood guide our hand as we sketch. The sound can inspire abstract shapes, lines, and forms that evolve into new ideas for our projects. The connection between sound and visuals often leads to sketches full of unexpected energy and emotion.
Exploring Different Cultures
We also look to different cultures for inspiration. Art, patterns, and architecture from around the world provide a wealth of visual ideas. For instance, African textiles or Japanese prints can inspire new ways to approach a project, adding unique textures and cultural elements to our work. This exploration broadens our visual vocabulary and enriches our creative output.
Finding Inspiration for Sketches in Everyday Life
Our team stays inspired by remaining curious about the everyday world. Details like an interesting news article, a shape in a building, or an overheard conversation can become the seeds of a new idea. By staying observant, we ensure our visuals remain fresh and relevant.
At Sketch Group, our sketching process is about more than making art—it’s about solving communication problems visually. These practices keep our creativity sharp and our visuals impactful, ensuring we can deliver meaningful work for our clients.