Forgetting to Sketch is Like Forgetting Your Pants

I feel naked without jewelry. What makes you feel naked? That thing you need to step out into your day? The thing that makes you feel you cannot tackle the day, be successful in your accomplishment, be your best. Superman has a cape. Spidey has his suit. Ironman has his Mark 1. If you are a designer building beautiful living spaces you need your sketchbook. You need to feel naked without it.

Charlie Todd, creator of Improv Everywhere, causes hilarious, joyful, and unexpected public scenes. His TED talk, "The Shared Experience of  Absurdity" is not only a delight to watch, but a profound illustration of a common joy.

Improv Everywhere is a group of comedic performers that carry out pranks which they call "missions" in public places. The stated goal of these missions is to cause scenes of "chaos and joy".  His creation of  "No Pants Subway Ride" day in New York City is one of the "missions". It is as simple as the mission name. People participating in a day once a year dressing for their day, with all the elements they normally, wear minus their pants and riding the subway. Truly absurd, bizarre, unexpected. The hilarious comes into play with the reactions of the other subway passengers.

No one knows if you feel naked without jewelry but you know you are not on your game. It is not absurd to onlookers if your favorite ring is missing from your finger. No pants? Well that's different. So how does this compare to not having your sketchbook at the ready and using it? Ask Superman or Spidey or Ironman what they would accomplish without the cape, or suit, or the Mark 1. The power these superheroes have, or feel they have, lies in that one piece, their jewelry.

It is true that it takes more than the superhero's power suit to save the world. Clark, Peter, and Tony have inside them belief in what they know is right, talent to make it happen, and the desire to make a change in the lives of the people they save. A designer needs the same ingredients or the sketchbook isn't going to be the key to making people happier in their homes.

As a designer you have to realize you can only thrive by sketching. It is your power to get inside your client's head and show them their dream. You are a dream interpreter and sketching is an integral part of the design process. It where listening skills are paramount. Where your questions highlight needs and possibilities. Asking the right questions to get the right answers, to generate concepts and ideas, and facilitate problem solving.

Forgetting to sketch is like forgetting your pants. Remember it was a subway ride without pants. I am almost certain that all those participating in that mission put those pants on after the ride to feel like they had what they needed to save the day. Learn to feel naked without your sketchbook. It will change your design business.

Sources: TED, DC Comics, Wikipedia, ASME 2004 Design Engineering Technical Conference Proceedings