Few hurdles are bigger than the transition of our thoughts into concepts others can experience. Making ideas something another person can experience or react to is truly amazing. Unfortunately, we overcomplicate this process the moment we sit down at a computer.
As empowering as computers can be, they are a bloated tool to use for launching concepts.
Instead, all we really need is a Sharpie and a few sheets of paper. With those simple tools, we have what we need to imagine the world in a series of steps. Where those steps take your user is ultimately up to you — which is daunting enough by itself.
Sketching isn't just about extracting ideas, it's a fundamental part of any collaboration process and takes centerstage anytime you are asked to whiteboard concepts with your team.
Being comfortable with your ability to sketch interfaces is vital to your success in this field.
Resources for review
Please use the following items to guide your exercise attempt:
| Article/Video | Source/Author |
|---|---|
| Evolve faster — with markers | New Pragmatic |
| The root of 'easy to use' | New Pragmatic |
| Sneakpeekit 4-up template | Sneakpeekit |
Exercise
Length: One-to-two hours to complete.
99.9% of the designs we interact with daily are incremental improvements that were applied to a previously existing design. Before anyone claims idea theft, understand that this is how design works.
Everyone is building upon work that existed before.
This is another way to say that design is built atop a sea of patterns, each adding a piece of the ultimate goal — being easy to use.
Your task here is simple. Using the sketching principles outlined in the resources above, sketch the design patterns listed below.
- Create an account Figma
- Navigate to Women's or Men's Accessories from navbar Frank and Oak
- Add to cart and checkout flow Amazon
- Reservation scheduling Opentable
None of the flows listed are more than a few pages in length. Additionally, this is not an exercise intended for great detail. Simple, with enough words to identify where in the pattern you are.
///
Once complete, update your Program Journal with links to the assets produced for this exercise. Post your Journal in the #Feedback-Loop channel for review.
Next Step Visual Basics