Core77

Core77 Show+Tell: Converse Design Director, Michael DiTullo, Sketches a Sneaker in 4-Minutes

By Core Jr - July 1, 2008

in Broadcasts

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!

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Comments

Tobin Dorn

16 years ago

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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.

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inp88

16 years ago

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super inspirational, cool!
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Steven

16 years ago

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I want that Rocko's Modern Life ruler!!!!!
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mike

16 years ago

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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
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tina

16 years ago

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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.
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erika

16 years ago

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Thank you for sharing! I love watching other people sketch. I've never seen someone move the page around like that. Makes perfect sense.
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Jay

17 years ago

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I think the point wasn't just that it was fast, but also WHY it was so fast. The guy clearly has a phenomenal understanding of shoes.
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Hank Greenblatt

17 years ago

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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
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wonderdruff

17 years ago

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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.
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RiNaZ

17 years ago

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how about sketching a car in 4 mins huh?! I bet everybody wants to see that hehe ... j/k.
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ChrisM

17 years ago

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I also noticed he follows through on his strokes. Like in karate, his line extends beyond the target. I'm no artist so maybe that's obvious. HIYA!
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Brandon

17 years ago

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@eee: The song is "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John
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Joseph Gabry

17 years ago

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Nice YO, Thanks.
I always find music to be helpful while sketching... Do you generally listen to anything else, or is it always Peter, Bjorn and John?
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Aargh

17 years ago

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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.
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mirrow

17 years ago

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wow!

....gone sketching
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Mark Sprules

17 years ago

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Awesome, like all professionals makes it look so simple!

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!!
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Fresh

17 years ago

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Definitely inspiring. Much appreciated.
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Ry-dog

17 years ago

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looks like he had 4 minutes and 39 seconds... good stuff, keep it coming!
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James

17 years ago

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Wow, very impressive. Thanks for sharing that Yo.
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mike

17 years ago

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i love sketching and i love watching people sketch.

looking through someone's sketchbook can be a very inspiring thing.
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eee

17 years ago

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what's the song in this video?
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Mario

17 years ago

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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!

Mario
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mike

17 years ago

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i have the straightedge and also use it for sketching! rocko's modern life toy from burger king or something similar, many years ago.
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craig Marcantonio

17 years ago

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Love the video I'm an aspiring sneaker designer and the sheer quickness and simplicity of the sketch is fantastic
thanks
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designaddict

17 years ago

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Michael DiTullo has Mad skills.
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fatkid

17 years ago

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Mad Skills DiTullo!!! Let's see some more!
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simon

17 years ago

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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
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NURB

17 years ago

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Very cool. Nice to see another right hander out there, too. Inspiring as always.
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FaShon Carter

17 years ago

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That was too great, Yo never fails to amaze me.
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Ken J

17 years ago

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That's where it's at! I got blue markers and a microphone!
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