Supports digital workflow
Many young engineers now sketch rapidly ‘by hand’ on digital drawing platforms. Their methods of ‘reaching in’ to the computer enable production of looser images that remain interoperable within the digital workflow. The practice of layering with trace on paper is the perfect preparation for sketching over Revit models, photos, Google Earth, Sketchup and CAD drawings
Problem solving
Dedicated time to practice can boost an engineer’s skills, confidence, and understanding of ways their sketching can be applied to problem solving.
“Engineers should try and develop the ability to visualise scale and understand how the real pieces of a structure could all fit together physically, and then be able to produce a sketch to quickly check it all makes sense. This skill will improve the speed and quality of solutions to all kinds of day-to-day work as a structural engineer.” - Andy Veal, Technical Director at WSP Dubai
Improve cognitive skills
The act of sketching exercises cognitive and spatial skills, enabling the empathic mental link between drawing and building.
Effective use of sketching expands the stamina of our working memory. When ideas occur to us we can feel a build-up of mental pressure. By getting the idea on paper we employ a process known as ‘Cognitive Offloading’. We don’t waste valuable time polishing this visualisation up because we only half understand it and may lose it if it isn’t captured instantly
This is why we continue to run our popular ‘Drawing Gym for Engineers’ CPD course, taught by Trevor Flynn. Taking place over 4 sessions across 4 weeks starting on 3 May, this popular online course offers a unique opportunity to improve traditional drawing skills.