Drawing Tutorials

Drawing Tutorials!

Almost every week this year we have watched a video, taken notes, and practiced sketching a different drawing tutorial. By learning the different perspectives, views, and lines that exist in engineering, we have been able to broaden our knowledge regarding sketching and improve our ability to sketch. Engineers use sketching on a daily basis, so all of these drawing tutorials have helped us become better engineers.

Some of the types of sketches we have drawn include orthographic, perspective, curved surfaces, product design, line weight and shadow, and vignette lines. During the last semester we also learned a ton of new vocabulary terms that will be very beneficial for our remaining Senior Engineering semester and even for the future if we plan to pursue the engineering field.

Content:

• conceptual sketch: this must have the elements and relationships involved in a problem, and it must show functional connections among the various parts. it is intended to help the engineer identify elements in a problem, see how groups of elements are connected together, and understand how those subsystems work together to create a working system.

• technical drawing: a detailed, precise diagram or plan that conveys information about how an object functions or is constructed. it is also known as an engineering drawing.

• orthographic drawing: a drawing in two dimensions that is used to represent different views of a three dimensional object. it is also known as a multi-view, where the most commonly used views are the top, front, and right side.

• perspective drawing: it is commonly used in technical drawings to show an item in 3D on a 2D page. it usually shows a 3D object getting smaller in the distance.

• vignettes: means "little vine;" it is a little frame that directs the viewer's attention to the sketch by drawing a box or boundary around it. it sits behind the product to establish depth while suggesting a higher level of finish.

• planes: a plane of projection is an imaginary flat plane where the image is projected. the projection is produced by connecting the points where the lines of sight pierce the projection plane.

• form: form is the shape, size, dimensions, mass, weight and other visual parameters that uniquely distinguish a part. form is created by drawing planes.

• projection system: methods used to record 3D objects or spaces on 2D surfaces (paper or computer screen). each projection system is connected and relies on projection to work/function.

• isometric system: a 3D version of an orthographic system (called 2 1/2 D sometimes). isometric projection is a method for visually representing 3D objects in 2D in technical and engineering drawings.

• horizon line: a type of eye-level line, which refers to the natural point of perspective drawing a viewer's eye into a photograph. horizon lines are a natural type of line to guide the viewer's eye level. it helps us create perspective.

• vanishing point: the point in space that is supposed to appear the furthest from the viewer. it is the point in the distance where parallel lines seem to meet.

• scaffolding: scaffolding is the base/structure of a final sketch that disappears at the end of the sketch. called ghost lines because they're meant to be just visible enough to assist you in building form.

• hatch lines: the drawing of fine lines close together to give an effect of shading. it is an artistic technique used to create tonal or shading effects.

Reflection:

Many weeks have passed since completing our very first drawing tutorial last semester, but I have learned a ton throughout those few months. I've become a better engineer because of my new ability to sketch and draw well, which will be very useful for continuing our Capstone project and maybe even in my upcoming future. Regarding the 6 C's, I excelled in creativity and critical thinking, but didn't do much collaboration or communication.

Because this was an individual assignment every week, I didn't have many people to communicate with or collaborate with, so I didn't use those skills very much. I am usually a big communicator, but it was nice to be able to work alone and quietly throughout the past few months when we did a new drawing tutorial every week. I also love collaborating, but I didn't get to do that for these assignments, so I learned how to work efficiently while being by myself at home, not even in the classroom.

Two of the 6 C's that went well for me since this was individual work every week, were my creativity and critical thinking. Being alone made me critically think more than I usually do while working in groups because I didn't have anyone to ask questions to on the spot. I was also very creative while working on the drawing tutorials since I had to learn new sketches and perspectives every week, challenging me to bring out a side of creativity that I've never seen before.