Once the proper concept is arrived at, there are a number of steps that often are used before the actual build. They include concept sketch, working drawings, and mock-up. Depending on the complexity of the project and the experience of the woodworker, various paths can be taken. It is often advisable for less experience woodworkers to follow as many of the steps as logically possible to have the best chance of reaching there goal.

Working Drawings

Once you've created one or more suitable concept sketches, the next step is to make working drawings. These are drawings that are proportionally accurate but at a reduced scale, often 1/4 of full size. They are used to refine design details and to determine specific dimensions of the various components.

Base Cabinet Construction Sketch

This method of construction blends European style cabinets, with what's known as traditional style. The major distinction between the two is traditional style cabinets have a face frame. While this adds to the design, (the beauty of wood and all that), it is also more costly to produce. It adds considerable labor and materials to the mix. There is also the disadvantage of making the cabinet openings smaller.

Sketching

Concept sketching is a free-wheeling type of informal drawing that helps you flesh out the basic design of an object before advancing to the more exacting scaled drawings. The essence of sketching is simple: draw whatever pops into your mind, revising as you go until you find a design you like best. With a little practice, you might even find sketching to be fun.

How Do You Go From Inspiration to Sketchbook

Woodworkers have a mixed blessing: Ideas can come from anywhere and at anytime, but sometimes there seems no end to the inspiration that fills your mind. It can be a bit overwhelming at times. So, how do you capture these bursts of woodworking illumination? The best way to flesh out your ideas is to simply sketch them.

Furniture Mock Ups

Having had the pleasure of knowing, and working with Mr. Jefferson Clark, a well known Philadelphia, Pa., designer, and teacher of design, at Drexel University, I learned a number of valuable lessons. While Jeff is now retired, his teachings are part of my business in a very integral way.