Hand rendering in contemporary visual communication

Drawing and hand rendering was once at the heart of the graphic design process. It was recognized as the fundamental industry skill that would be used to conceptualize an idea and in many cases, develop the idea into a finished design. The resulting intimacy between designer and their design revealed an appreciation and understanding of the crafting of materials and surfaces. This form of tactile tacit knowledge often foreshadowed a profound understanding of the relationship between eye, hand and the designers thought process. This ‘practice lead’ approach was also central in developing the designer’s critical judgment and visual language. As the visual communications industry began to embrace new technology the designer’s role became transformed away from traditional methods of image making, towards an increasing reliance on digital processes. This paper aims to investigate the current use of hand rendering by both students and professionals to ascertain whether it is an integral component of the current design field.