Lately I’m noticing that on coroflot people prefer seeing sketches and fancy renderings above prototypes are even full working end-products. Why is that? Or am I seeing ghosts?
I’ve noticed this since the kind of work I’m posting on my portfolio changed from sketches to prototypes and more defined product ideas. I still sketch a lot…even more than before. But these sketches are just means to an end and I do not want people to like my design/product-idea because it is nicely drawn. Therefore I’m refraining from posting these sketches and ideations. Off course they’re importance can never be underestimated. But doesn’t a prototype show the feasibility of the idea more than just a sketch. I mean we are no artists. We need to create working products.
I’ll make it more tangible by referring to a design I did:
I posted a presentation-drawing: ATOHMS projects by Thomas Valcke at Coroflot.com
and a pic of a fully working prototype on coroflot: ATOHMS projects by Thomas Valcke at Coroflot.com
The sketch gets 101 likeys the prototype just a ‘mere’ 22.
and yes, off course there’s also the possibility that I’m not that good as a designer and maybe I need to change careers and become an illustrator Maybe my ideas are not that good but the sketches are.
Isn’t it in the nature of designers to be more attracted to a sketch over a picture?
There is a big difference in quality and effort between the two, the sketch is a well-balanced presentation drawing, the picture of the model is grainy and doesn’t add/contain much detail. If you would clean up the pic and exchange the drawing for the pic in the same presentation template, i bet views would go up.
Also, as a designer I’m probably more interested in the internal build-up of the actual model than the exterior as it is pretty obvious you’ve managed to stay close to the design-intent (well done!).
That is true, but feels a bit contradictory to me.
I prefer seeing a working prototype instead of a nicely drawn presentation drawing. Since everything is possible on paper.
If you build a prototype you can prove that your productidea may work in real life.
There’s to many sketches and renderings of impossible products out-there. & Yes they can be inspirational and a joy to look at. But at the end of the day they remain nice illustrations. And we are no illustrators.
And I do agree with the difference in presentation. The drawing communicate the idea nicely in a funny way. I was going to get a stuffed pigeon so I could put it aside the camera but I declined since It would take some time and a fair amount of money Maybe I should reconsider this.
I think it’s not a question of sketches vs. prototypes, but a question of what we are looking at and why.
In your example, the sketch is very nice to look at, and the idea is very clever.
The prototype is not that exciting of a photo and the idea looks kinda boring. Without maybe seeing it real life, it’s hard to tell if it’s the execution of the idea that is lacking, or the idea was just sold really well with a nice drawing.
Process is of course is just a means to an end. That being said, sometimes those means can be nice to admire, no matter how the end turns out.
Sketches are a great way to show what you do as an individual contributor to a team, while a final prototype or production piece bears the stamp of many people. Both are great to show and important, but I need to see how someone thinks and works, and process is an important window into that.
A sketch connects more with the viewer because it has possibility. We fill in the remaining 20% with exactly what pleases us, even if we are not sure what that is. Once rendered or realized, it becomes concrete and we can only judge the result, and not project our own refinements. Like a book vs a movie.
For portfolios, naturally it is important to see how the designer will carry through to the final result. Sketches are just the beginning.
Nice cam idea though, I am more skeptical however. I would use a raven or a vulture.
I’ll surely take notice of this. Maybe I should post both. The design-process and end-result.
It’s probably also about what you show to who. Designer like sketches while clients may appreciate a prototype and finished rendering. But apparently the coroflot audience likes sketches
I was just going to say that the Coroflot audience seems to really get excited about sketches/renderings over anything else. It’s eye candy. I also think that a lot of people are look to take inspiration from peoples work. That’s essentially what my “like” button is and though your final product idea is great, I’m more inspired by the layout, drawings, renderings, presentation than a picture of your model (it’s a great model btw).
I like the sketch better too… it shows a more dramatic product. Like someone said earlier, maybe its the picture quality.
Personally, I think the execution could be a more refined - the sketch is more visually attractive. The prominent bosses on the curved sides glaringly take away from the smooth form, as do the pits in the surface and the parting line (I think it could be molded in a different way without this). Additionally, the lens and details around that area look cheaper and less exciting than what’s drawn, but it was one of the most interesting parts of the sketch. You might approach the color and finish differently too. As R said above, ‘process is a means to an end’, and execution can make or break products.
I hope this comes across as constructive, and as these things go, I’m sure you were working within constraints. I’ve seen that sketch before and it’s nice to see that it’s being made - congrats on taking where you have
about sketches vs final designs: imho, sketches are usually more exciting and inspiring to view on Coroflot over product shots… sometime a relatively dull product can look phenomenal in a sketch, which is really a testament to the designer’s skill. That said, a portfolio full of amazing sketches/process but not nicely executed product seems only half complete - another important designer skill is effectively working with the people who produce designs.
I like the sketch better too… it shows a more dramatic looking product. Maybe like someone said earlier, its the unsaturated, un-dramatic picture.
Personally, I think the execution could be a more refined - the sketch looks more visually attractive. The prominent bosses on the curved sides glaringly take away from the smooth form, so do the pits in the surface and the parting line (I think it could be molded in a different way without this). Additionally, the lens choice and details around that area has a much cheaper look than what’s drawn, but it was one of the most interesting parts of the sketch. You might approach the color and finish differently too. As R said above, process is a means to an end, and execution can make or break products.
I hope this comes across as constructive, and as these things go, I’m sure you were working within constraints. I’ve seen that sketch before and it’s nice to see that it’s being made - congrats on getting it made
about sketches vs final designs: imho, sketches are usually more exciting and inspiring to view on Coroflot over product shots, and sometime a relatively dull product can look phenomenal in a sketch, which is really a testament to the designer’s skill. That said, a portfolio full of amazing sketches/process but not nicely executed product seems only half complete - another important designer skill is effectively working with the people who produce designs.
Thx for the comment Travisimo; I think you are absolutely right.
But as a defence. The prototype of the bird-cam is just a proof-of-concept (and the whole grainy pic emphasizes this. I think?) It just a means to an end and not an end-result. I’d love to take it further invest some more time in it. Make a virtual prototype. Print it, Paint it and adore it I think this ultimate prototype would fit the sketch better in terms of geometry and drama
If I find some time and money I might just do that. (since this is just a personal project)
Maybe then It’ll become more popular then the sketch.
Thank you for the advice and critique people very much appreciated
I’m glad you took that in the way I intended (constructively!)…
Myself, I am strongly for rough modelling early and often - I hate surprises and some places believe in one or two final models, nothing interim to learn from. Looks great as a proof of concept, and it’s a cool idea, especially since you’re doing it on your own. … and I hope they don’t catch me speeding around in Belgium someday
I bet we would get along very nicely if we met in a bar with a drink or two…and then some more
I’m doing a lecture on prototyping this Wednesday. And one of the things I’m going to emphasize is learning to let go and learning to fail. I’m wondering how all those clean-straight-line-virtual modelers will react to that
No worries…since you are a foreigner you’d probably never get the ticket
Best regards
T
Edit: WOW so may smileys. Must be in a happy mood today
Maybe my ideas are not that good but the sketches are.