How Sketching Can Improve the World

I bought each of my four children a sketchbook when they turned nine years old. All of them are creative in some way but my goal is not to make them an artist or graphic designer. Its bigger than that.

I have been an artist all my life. Some don’t see graphic designers as artists and well…some aren’t. The only output some cling to is marketing and branding. I do not. These days, I don’t draw like an illustrator although I can. I would rather sketch.

I draw because something inside compels me to create on a blank surface. (When I see a blank white wall, I get twitchy. LOL) But I have also seen the benefits in my personal and professional interactions.

Benefit #1: Conversation starter

Ask any artist that has drawn in public and they will tell you people are drawn to them. We respect artistic talent because…well, many believe they have none. 

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  –Pablo Picasso

Unfortunately, many children and youth believe they have no artistic skill. When I was a youthworker, I would sit in a school’s cafeteria and draw. Usually, students crowded around me and asked questions. Many also liked to draw so I had sure I had extra paper. This is how I got to know them and eventually how I helped many of them. I also use this approach when meeting with clients.

French artist Jean Jullien’s Peace for Paris sketch has helped ignite a unity against terrorism beyond French borders. It has been shared over and over on the internet sparking conversations and an outpouring of sympathy. 

Benefit #2: Making Sense Out of Life

The process of sketching is a magical craft that can take time or appear out of nowhere. Creating from nothing or interpreting something is a fascinating thing. Humans are wired to seek meaning and beauty in our world especially when there is crisis. We can do this through reflection, prayer and also through the arts. The recent terrorist attacks reveals this as people attempt to make sense of the ugliness. The Peace for Paris sketch represents our need to cling to what’s good in the world.

The first thing that came to me was the idea of peace, that we needed peace. I was trying to look for a symbol of Paris, and obviously the Eiffel Tower was the first thing that sprang to my mind. I just connected both of them. You know, there wasn’t much work process behind that. It was more an instinctive, human reaction than an illustrator’s reaction. –Jean Jullien

Benefit #3: Hone Observation Skills

Sketching is about fine tuning one’s senses to interpret and utilize what one sees. Sometimes what one sees, no one else sees. Being selective in focus can mean discovering and developing new forms of interpretation. Jean Jullien saw something in the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of hope and freedom and the universal peace symbol. He combined these two potent well known symbols providing a new visual interpretation for peace. 

Graphic designers and fine artists trained in a philosophy of art (aesthetics) develop a visual eye based on observation: understanding contrast, composition, harmony, etc. The word aesthetic comes from the Greek word aisthetikosmeaning to perceive by the senses or by the mind. This also means observation is related to mindfulness. 

In two additional studies, the researchers continued to find that people with robust observation skills, whether inherent or learned through extensive training, showed superior creativity levels compared to other participants. — psychologicalscience.org

In conclusion, the reason why I gave my children sketchbooks is because creative problemsolving is disappearing from American grade schools and is much needed in our world. STEM AND STEAM are great but these initiatives often convince kids that creativity can only be appreciated when directed at practical commercial interests. This is not a bad thing but it is missing one part: creating art as a therapeutic exercise. Mr. Jullien said his Peace of Paris sketch was a reaction to the Paris terrorist attacks. It is helping people around the world direct their energies in positive ways whether it is through prayers, encouragement or righteous anger.

We need symbols to express what [we] cannot say. –Steven Heller, author

Sketching is a physical way to make sense of the thinkable, see-able and the beautiful along with the unthinkable, unsee-able and the ugly. (It is also possible to stretch the boundaries of interpretation through an abstract approach.) In short, it can be used to help people think through something and/or simply as an emotional outlet. Take this from someone who knows. (Even after 20+ years as a graphic designer, I still sketch logos on paper. Lately, my personal sketching has been directed toward developing comics based on my life. To see more of them, click the picture below.)

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. Your shares, likes and comments are appreciated.