Sketching and Drawing Conventions
The ways designers put ideas on paper: freehand, isometric and perspective drawing, annotated and exploded diagrams, and how a drawing is scaled up or down by a ratio.
Justify the choices, the way you are assessed
Free interactive practice on the decisions the assessment actually asks you to justify.
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Getting the idea on paper
A designer has to show an idea clearly so that others can understand and make it. There are set ways of drawing that each do a different job, from a quick freehand sketch to a neat scaled drawing. This module covers the main sketch and drawing types, annotated and exploded diagrams, and how a drawing is scaled.
Drawing words to know
Learn these before you sort the drawing types.
Quick against precise
Different drawings suit different points in a project.
Pick the drawing, or scale by the ratio
In the exam, name the drawing type and say what it is best for: freehand for early ideas, isometric or perspective to show a 3D shape, an annotated diagram to explain features, an exploded diagram to show how parts fit. To scale a drawing, use the ratio: a one-to-two scale makes the drawing half the real size, so halve each real length.
Match the drawing type
- freehand sketch
- isometric drawing
- perspective drawing
- exploded diagram
- a fast rough drawing for early ideas
- a 3D view with parallel lines at set angles
- a realistic 3D view with a vanishing point
- parts pulled apart to show how they fit
Match the job to the drawing
- jotting down first ideas fast
- showing a solid 3D shape
- explaining the features of a design
- showing how the parts go together
- use a freehand sketch
- use an isometric drawing
- use an annotated diagram
- use an exploded diagram
What is an exploded diagram?
What does an exploded diagram show?
- The separate parts pulled apart to show how they fit together.
- A product being blown up.
- The colours a product comes in.
- A flat 2D outline only.
Uses of annotation
Select the TWO things an annotated diagram is good for.
- Explaining the features of a design in notes
- Noting the material or size of a part
- Hiding information from the maker
- Making the paper a different colour
Scale the drawing
A part is 10 cm long in real life. It is drawn at a scale of 1 to 2, which is half size. Divide the real length by 2 to find how long it is on the drawing. What is the answer?
Order the drawing stages
Put the drawing stages of a design in order, earliest first.
- Sketch rough ideas freehand
- Draw the chosen idea in 3D
- Annotate the key features
- Produce a neat scaled drawing
Complete the summary
A quick drawing done by hand for early ideas is a _____ sketch. A 3D drawing with parallel lines at set angles is an _____ drawing. Pulling the parts apart to show how they fit gives an _____ diagram. A drawing at a scale of 1 to 2 is drawn at _____ size.
Spot the 3D drawings
Tap the TWO drawing types that show a design in 3D.
- isometric drawing
- perspective drawing
- a flat 2D outline
- a written parts list
Choose the drawing
Read each need and choose the best drawing.
- A designer wants to jot down ten quick ideas in a few minutes. Which drawing suits this?
- An instruction sheet needs to show how a flat-pack shelf goes together. Which drawing suits this?
- A part is 8 cm long and is drawn at a scale of 1 to 2. How long is it on the drawing?
Explain communicating a design
Explain the main types of drawing a designer uses to communicate an idea, and how a drawing is scaled.
- Describe freehand and one 3D drawing type and what each is for
- Explain what annotated and exploded diagrams show
- Explain what a scale of 1 to 2 means for a drawing