Words: Sandy Armitage

Back in the mid 90s when I learned to use computer aided design systems for 3D renders, it felt revolutionary to be able to take my hand-drawn plans, feed the information into the CAD programme and wait an hour for it to render a 3D visual.

However, it took around another 10 years before designing by computer software became the norm in the KBB sector rather than the additional aid.

Recently, I did a design that had been bought for someone as a gift. I was commissioned to give some ideas for a cost-effective kitchen makeover to a friend of a friend who had moved into a Victorian terraced house and needed some inspiration.

I decided that the best presentation for this characterful design would be to hand draw it.

After 20 years of familiarity, I can navigate my CAD programme of choice very well. Despite that, it’s always taken me less time to complete a perspective visual by hand than it has to design by CAD.

Feeding in the layout takes no time, it’s the time spent creating all the bits of detail to bring the design to life that takes hours! A jug on that shelf, a vase here, several plants there…and then the lighting of course. I’ve been trying to design digitally the way I have drawn by hand – and I’m always a bit disappointed with the outcome. 

Don’t get me wrong, the renders can look amazing through CAD and it’s great to be able to virtually wander around the space I’ve created, to engage my clients with the design and to show them alternatives at the relative click of a button. But no matter how brilliant the programme, the CGI of the renders can sometimes leave me cold.

I learned technical drawing and perspective visuals at art college as part of my design course and the skills have served me well.

My designs are characterful, and CAD is sometimes just too ‘perfect’. I always want to rough-up the image somewhat. I yearn for my pencils, rotring pens and scale ruler as were used for designs back in the day.

Many times, while creating a presentation of a kitchen or bathroom designer a new idea for the space will pop into my head and I’ll grab a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and sketch out the idea in front of the client. Quite often, clients will comment on my ability to depict a concept in sketch form, and they’ll impress me with their ability to visualise what I have produced. Being able to draw is a valuable skill and I feel that it adds a certain weight, a quality and connection to the design both for me and my client. A perception of worth. It feels more unique, it feels more bespoke, and it feels like I’m designing something they will want to keep.

I’ve now been designing by CAD for as long as I was designing by hand, and I can tell you that I miss the traditional way.

Back in May, I went to Clerkenwell Design Week and one of the things I enjoyed was a 15-minute Speed Sketch workshop with a young architect. OK, so having studied technical drawing, I had quite a head start but there were many others in the workshop who didn’t think they could draw and who found that all they lacked was the teacher and the confidence. 

I encourage all designers to search for drawing classes or workshops in your area, especially architectural ones. There are also lots of workshops available online. I’d be mad to stop using CAD, but I am going to dust off my drawing board, clean out my rotring pens, grab my paper and start drawing again and I urge you to do the same. Get drawing, have fun and reconnect with your inner artist.