What Yo said,
In addition… I really see working in Rhino (SolidWorks, etc…) at least the way I do it as more of an extension of my sketching. Here I really play with the curves to sweeten up the form of whatever I’m designing.
Today, after I posted my earlier reply I headed out for a few hours of research on some packaging I’m designing. I’m definitely more of a consumer product guy, and don’t typically do much packaging so I wanted to get some good background. Google is no substitute for this step no matter what the project. I opened and closed boxes, felt how certain hinges, and fasteners felt, etc… I’ve done this before on projects, but I find that every time I go out I get something different out of it.
I saw some really beautiful things mixed in with a lot of badly designed pieces. Now I am so fired up to “sit at my desk” and sketch a ton of ideas!