In this video for Core77, Michael DiTullo, design director at Converse (you know him as Yo), has 2 blue markers and a microphone. Here, he throws down a casual, summer sneaker concept sketch in 4:39. This is real-time folks. None of that stop-motion photoshop stuff, and no aftereffects. (Makes you wonder how many sketches he can do in an 8 hour day?)
For those aspiring design renderers, notice 3 key ingredients:
1) He moves the page! Mike is constantly turning the page so that his fingers and wrist can draw the lines comfortably. Think of this as "drawing with 2 hands."
2) He keeps a supply of sharp pencils! This is critical: you can't get that line quality unless you start off with a nice point and work down from there.
3) He uses the tip as well as the side of the pencil. Duh, but you'd be surprised how many designers forget to change the grip of their pencil while sketching.
(Bonus factoid: That ironic straight edge he uses once at the start of the rendering? He's had it for 15 years.)
Enjoyed this video? Got inspired? Let him know in the comments!
I think the video is super! Michael is super talented and really knows about footwear design and rendering. It is obvious in the way he draws. Anyone who has drawn a shoe knows that nuances and design challenges to set your design apart from the rest. Also the proportions and details is what makes your design and story different. He really knows the proportions and can detail endless options. Great job and great idea to share. Love the way he spins the paper as he is creating!!
Also, I think it is important to remember too, whoever is working in the market today knows that it is not ideal to assume that you have endless hours to render and research trends and design. You have to be quick to notice details and go by instinct and raw talent. He makes it look easy but that is the just the result of many years of work and practice.
It was nice to see how you attack getting down the basic form. Do you use the same steps when drawing different views? I really enjoy your work and tutorials Thanks
i am currently working in a design studio and top drawing skills is only one requirement. you have to come up with good ideas everyday. and that is not so easy whilst drawing. sometimes people try to compensate for their lack of design thinking abilities with being able to draw really well.
I have no more connection to athletic shoes than owning a pair of Converse All Stars and a pair of Onitsuka Tigers but found it inspiring to watch someone do something so well. I get the same charge out of watching someone skillful in a kitchen choreograph a meal or MJ shoot a basketball. The inspiration carries over to what I do--medicine--even though unconnected. Inspiration's a funny thing that way, and priceless. thank you, Michael
Why is everyone so excited by speed? How is that design any different from the shoes already out on the market? How do you know he`s not just copying a shoe thats sitting just out of the screen shot..So just keep enjoying mindless speed sketching and live under the illusion that you understand design. Good design is`nt easy. Sure choose quantity over quality make a quick dollar, don`t think of the significance and consequences of your actions, keep exploiting, keep polluting, keep wasting resources..See where it takes you, it should be obvious by now and by the way don`t forget to spend that dollar you earnt speed designing, because one of the consequences is that it won`t be worth very much soon.
Not trying to sound too bad about this, but both the rendering and the whole sketch is pretty average. The sketching technique may be something worthy of note but aside from that there isn't anything to set this apart from countless other people. Hell, I don't even draw shoes for a living but I reckon with a bit of practice I could put something out to equal or better this with less than a week of practice.
Great video! I always love to see other artists working.
I should just point out that I don't think the speed is the most important thing in this video. He works with sneakers, so he knows all the curves and stuff (he probably sketched thousands and thousands of sneakers...). So he doesn't have to spend too much time trying new curves and lines.
What I think is the most amazing thing is how he works. He KNOWS how to translate his ideas into a drawing. In 4 minutes... That's brilliant!
Thanks for the video. I am really concentrating on picking up my line technique at the moment and found it to be both informative and inspiring!!! Thanks :P
Comments
Also, I think it is important to remember too, whoever is working in the market today knows that it is not ideal to assume that you have endless hours to render and research trends and design. You have to be quick to notice details and go by instinct and raw talent. He makes it look easy but that is the just the result of many years of work and practice.
I always find music to be helpful while sketching... Do you generally listen to anything else, or is it always Peter, Bjorn and John?
....gone sketching
I for one feel truly inspired and am off to A, sharpen my pencils B, find my old blue markers and C, find that damn music!
Its all about the music!!
looking through someone's sketchbook can be a very inspiring thing.
I should just point out that I don't think the speed is the most important thing in this video. He works with sneakers, so he knows all the curves and stuff (he probably sketched thousands and thousands of sneakers...). So he doesn't have to spend too much time trying new curves and lines.
What I think is the most amazing thing is how he works. He KNOWS how to translate his ideas into a drawing. In 4 minutes... That's brilliant!
Mario
thanks