Reflection

The lecture on sketching interfaces was incredibly enlightening for me. Learning about the importance of drawing and sketching as fundamental skills in interface design has completely shifted my perspective. I now understand that mastering these skills is crucial for effectively communicating my design ideas and concepts.

One aspect that particularly resonated with me was the discussion on mapping flows. Understanding how to visualise user journeys and interactions within an interface will be invaluable for my project. By mapping out flows, I can identify potential pain points and optimise the user experience to create more intuitive interfaces.

Moreover, the lecture emphasised the significance of sketching interfaces as a means of translating conceptual ideas into tangible design solutions. I see this as a crucial step in my project, as sketching will allow me to rapidly iterate and explore different design options, layouts, and interaction patterns.

The importance of practice was also highlighted throughout the lecture. By dedicating time to regular practice sessions, I can enhance my sketching skills and deepen my understanding of user needs. This will enable me to create more effective interfaces that meet the needs of my target audience.

In my project, I plan to apply these skills by starting with flow mapping to understand the user journey and identify pain points. Then, I will use sketching to visualise different design solutions and iterate on them based on feedback. By incorporating regular practice sessions into my workflow, I aim to continuously improve my sketching abilities and create interfaces that are both intuitive and visually compelling.

Class Exercises

Speed Drawing

During our first exercise, we engaged in a Speed Drawing Warm-Up Exercise, which involved sketching popular icons within tight time constraints of 20, 10, and 5 seconds. I found this exercise both fun and incredibly helpful. Firstly, it was enjoyable to challenge myself to capture the essence of each icon in such a short amount of time, pushing my creativity and quick-thinking skills to the limit. Additionally, this exercise served as a great warm-up activity, helping me loosen up and get into the right mindset for the rest of the session. Moreover, it highlighted the importance of speed and efficiency in sketching interfaces, emphasising the need to convey ideas quickly and effectively. Overall, I found this exercise to be a fun and valuable way to kick off the session, providing me with a practical lesson in rapid ideation and visual communication.

User Flow

Our next exercise involved creating a user flow for uploading a picture to Instagram from memory. I found this exercise incredibly helpful for several reasons. Firstly, it challenged me to recall and map out the sequential steps involved in a familiar task without referring to the actual interface. This exercise tested my understanding of user interactions and allowed me to identify potential gaps or inefficiencies in the process. Additionally, it encouraged me to think critically about the user experience and consider the user's perspective when navigating through the interface. By visualising the user flow, I gained insights into the logical progression of actions and the key touch-points within the interaction. Overall, this exercise provided me with a practical opportunity to apply user-centric design principles and enhance my skills in creating intuitive and efficient user flows.

Thumbnails

Our next exercise involved sketching thumbnails of three different sizes: phone, watch, and desktop, with only three minutes allotted for each. I found this exercise both helpful and fun for several reasons. Firstly, it challenged me to quickly visualise and iterate on design ideas within a constrained timeframe, which improved my efficiency and ability to generate concepts rapidly. Additionally, working on different-sized canvases allowed me to consider the nuances of designing for various devices and screen resolutions, enhancing my understanding of responsive design principles. Moreover, the time pressure added an element of excitement and urgency to the task, making the exercise engaging and enjoyable. Overall, this exercise helped me sharpen my sketching skills while providing a dynamic and enjoyable learning experience.