on keeping a sketchbook and other matters
My sketchbook is one big mess of rough-drafts, filled mostly with illegible notes and blobs. When I’m working on a new design, I start by going through my pages of scribbles and choosing a few that I like. Then, on pieces of looseleaf paper, I sketch out different versions of illustrations which I scan into the computer to add color and other effects (with the help of my more tech-saavy husband) to make a bunch of test prints.
Here’s a picture that shows the different stages of my Momofuku journal cover design, from the first scribbles to a detailed sketch, and then a printed draft. There was something off about that draft, and we worked at it for almost a week (wanting to completely drop that cover design) till we came up with the final version, which shows an image of only two bowls of noodle and very little additional color. We’d gotten so caught up in adding things to the design, when it was the simplest arrangement that looked good. That’s something I keep in mind these days when designing new things.
For a few more pictures of my sketchbook or those of some other designers, stop by the Trunkt blog for a spin!
Thank you for sharing your passion and how we can re-use paperscraps. Just like you I keep all types of paper but I don’t have time to do what you can do, cos I’m working. I also like to keep used textile (old clothes and table napkins). I reuse them by sewing them to small pouches to keep small items like jewelery, buttons, hairclips, etc.