I can't draw! What now?

[StiligeCecilie]

My problem is, I have a dream about making logos and mascots, but the thing is; I can't draw! I can use Illustrator and Photoshop, but when I read guides online, they often start out with a pencil sketch, which probably helps alot.

I draw most of my drawings in vector.

So, any tips for a non-drawer? Should I learn how to draw or is there other possibilities for me?

Please, you can link me sites with drawing lessons or just come up with tips to how I can improve my work.
I just hope that my non-drawing skills won't make it harder for me to achieve my dream of becoming a skilled graphic designer. Any thoughts on that?

Thank you!

-Cecilie.

[jeffross]

I'm a firm believer that you don't have to be an illustrator to be a designer. I've had many designer friends and co-workers that are successful in their field, and will admit that they can't draw worth beans!

I think pencil sketches are very important, but remember that they aren't a finished idea. They are just getting quick ideas down. They can be rough, out of proportion, and have horrible perspective, but it's your idea that you are trying to work out. So don't feel like your thumbnails need to be works of art!

[StiligeCecilie]

But isn't it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to draw a descent mascot/character on the screen if you haven't tried it on paper first? I have problems with proportions.

[jeffross]

Originally Posted by StiligeCecilie

But isn't it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to draw a descent mascot/character on the screen if you haven't tried it on paper first?

Oh, sure! That can be a difficult thing to do. But designers may need to hire illustrators, photographers, etc to accomplish their ideas.

[StiligeCecilie]

Originally Posted by jeffross

Oh, sure! That can be a difficult thing to do. But designers may need to hire illustrators, photographers, etc to accomplish their ideas.

Oh no! I wanna do it myself :O

[StiligeCecilie]

Is there like....no chance for me as an Illustrator....?

[stephanfx]

I will be the first to admit that I cannot draw for anything, but that does not mean that I will never be good at it. The thing is that you just need to start practicing! everyday, draw at least 5 - 10 quick bodies, stick figures, as soon as you start to like your stick figures, move on to something else. Try copying cartoon characters, Disney is a great resource! What I do is I have printed some pics of there characters and try to copy them exactly. The more you draw, the proportions follow slowly but surely!

I am truly not nearly as good as a lot of people out there, but like many things in life, practice makes perfect!

Good short link to get few proportion tips

[Rexibit]

You can invest in a graphics tablet. I have one from Wacom and find that it is very helpful for things that don't even require drawing. You could also just scan a sketch in and then work out the outlines in Photoshop.

There are some good tutorials on the net about this method. Again, you don't have to be a great sketcher, but getting your ideas in a more concrete state than your mind is good to know what is and what is not possible.

[PR Design]

I can't draw, and the thought of doing so intimidates me! They're talking about having a drawing session at work to determine each others' styles — I'm cacking it!

[StiligeCecilie]

Thanks alot for advice! =)