Ideas for Concept Design Sketches: examples for students

Design and Technology students often need to generate and record a wide range of potential design solutions which are conceptually different. It can be beneficial for students to present these using a range of different drawing methods and rendering techniques. This article contains a collection of creative presentation methods to help students produce outstanding conceptual design submissions.

Glue on assorted background papers

Example of conceptual design on black and brown paper — An **A* IGCSE** Design & Technology example of conceptual architectural designs on black and brown paper by Rhea Maheshwari, ACG Parnell College. In this case the brown kraft paper is used as a **mid-tone**, with dark and light areas applied. The black paper is drawn over with a white ink pen. This approach **adds visual interest to the page**, and can make it **faster to render**. Note also the photos of conceptual models bottom-right, which have been sketched over to extend and develop ideas further. Inspirational images (see original photographs top-right) have also been included to show sources of ideas.

Apply acrylic background washes

Conceptual design drawings on acrylic wash — In this **100% AS** Design & Technology project, Georgia Shattky from ACG Parnell College prepared a **splattered acrylic wash** as the background for her central design drawing. She has chosen green and brown colours that link with the treehouse design theme and suggest the speckling of light that might occur when viewing the design through leaves. The **unpredictability of this mark-making** can help **push the design in unexpected directions** and adds visual interest to the page.

Make conceptual models (mock-ups)

Clay mock-up produced as part of design concepts — This 100% AS Level Design & Technology project by Georgia Shattky, ACG Parnell College, includes a **plasticine modelling clay mock-up** to help **explore and visualise 3D forms**. Note how the surrounding drawings explore **technical aspects**, with detailed annotation discussing **possible materials, construction methods** and other relevant information.

Paper mock-up used to help explore conceptual design — This **98% AS** Design & Technology Coursework project by Nikau Hindin, ACG Parnell College includes a **magazine paper mock-up** used to help explore initial conceptual design ideas. A page with text was folded in different ways to create interesting shadows and architectural spaces which then inspired the subsequent design.

Treehouse conceptual design idea — **100% AS** Design & Technology project: Note the conceptual model (top-right) alongside original photographs that have helped inspire this treehouse design by Georgia Shattky, ACG Parnell College. Careful **coloured pencil rendering** has also helped to communicate the complex 3D form.

Draw and paint over photographs of mock-ups

IGCSE Design & Technology project showing concepts — Examples of concept designs from Rhea Maheshwari’s **A* IGCSE** Design & Technology project, ACG Parnell College. Rhea has created **conceptual models (mock-ups)** using scraps of paper and card, before painting and drawing over these using acrylic and black pen. Working with mock-ups helps students **test the feasibility** of a design idea by understanding how forms work in 3D space.

AS Level conceptual design using architectural mock-ups — This conceptual design example is from an **98% AS** Design & Technology architectural project by Nikau Hindin, from ACG Parnell College. Nikau created a **conceptual model using wire, paper and cardboard**. She then photographed this model and painted and drew over the top, extending and modifying ideas as part of the **iterative design process**.

Use digital rendering to complement hand-drawing skills

Digital rendering in Design & Technology — Including rendered digital images can be a rapid way of adding highly realistic 3D visualisations to a page. This **100% AS** Design & Technology project by Han Hoheisel, ACG Parnell College, contains a great mix of digital rendering and hand-generated design sketches. Note: Any digital work should be accompanied by screenshots showing the process by which digital models were created, proving authenticity of the work.

Use textured or patterned paper to create interesting surfaces

Newspaper glued on to create interesting surface — Example: Folded newspaper is glued on to create the basis of an architectural design

Textured paper used to create bumpy surface — Example: Folded newspaper is glued on to create the basis of an architectural design

Integrate photographs of the location or site

Example of conceptual design ideas — This concept design that was produced as part of a **100% AS** Design & Technology project by Georgia Shattky, ACG Parnell College, includes a conceptual model that has been digitally overlaid upon a photograph of the **intended site**. This helps viewers to immediately **visualise the design in its proposed location**, making it easier to establish whether the design complements the surroundings.

Include beautiful original photographs

Coloured pencil rending in AS Design & Technology — This treehouse design, completed as part of a **100% AS** Design & Technology project by Georgia Shattky, ACG Parnell College, was inspired by **original photographs of tree root formations** taken at the site. Original photographs can be a great way to add striking imagery to concept pages. Note also the careful coloured pencil and black biro pen rendering used on this page.

Amiria Gale

Amiria has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. She is a CIE Accredited Art & Design and Design & Technology Coursework Assessor. Amiria now teaches Art, Design & Technology at ACG Parnell College.