Recently, I had an interesting discussion with my co-worker about whether to use plain, old-fashioned paper or the computer for certain tasks that come along in a creative process. While 99% of finishing is done by using a computer, it’s the early stages that I am interested in. I’d say 100%, but on second glance, you never know ;)

It’s your decision

Basically, it’s up to the designer. I know a lot of professionals using their beloved computer for just about anything. They brainstorm, outline, and storyboard from scratch in front of the screen, and do every single artwork in Photoshop or Illustrator. Of course, a drawing board comes in handy for this kind of approach. On the opposite, I’ve noticed that some designers prefer to use a writing pad or just loose sheets of paper for this kind of work.

A (slightly altered…) collage of some of my paperwork

I’ve carried together my personal view of the pros and cons on this subject.

Brainstorming

• Sheet
  • Pro: This is my personal favorite. You have the brief, whether you’ve written it by yourself, contributed to it or have been given it, and you have to come up with at least 20 ideas for starters. Paper does it for me. Just plain white loose sheets of paper. I categorize them in a corner for easy filing.
  • Con: Fiddly access to information when reviewing. Chaotic idea storage.
• Screen
  • Pro: Using programs like Microsoft Office OneNote or mapping applications, you can file and find ideas and implementation/composition sketches easily. (Not that I favor MS. Not at all. But this is a cool prog) You can also use paper, and after delivery, transcribe to an app and conflate.
  • Con: Distracts big time; usage of a computer can be an obstacle for free mindflow.

Rough Outline, Storyboard

• Sheet
  • Pro: Due to easy handling, many approaches can be gone through in almost no time. Plus, what’s more relieving than crush’n dash?
  • Con: Using a pencil, all that erasing can be tough. Carrying parts on means re-drawing them each time a new sheet of paper is used.
• Screen
  • Pro: Scalable, shiftable, movable, arrangable, changable.
  • Con: No depth and weight unless different pen and color strengths are used, thus hampering the workflow a bit.

Artwork

• Sheet
  • Pro: Unique designs can be created by hand.
  • Con: You have to be really good at it.
• Screen
  • Pro: Nearly unlimited possibilities for design. Workflow isn’t handicapped because the app acts as a perfect tool.
  • Con: You have to be really good.

So, who wins?

Years ago, when I started in advertising, I was eager to have all of the steps of the planning and design process stacked neatly in a folder on my computer. I thought it’d be a good idea to always have fast access to all of it, for later purposes, for inspiration or for new approaches for the same client or product.

I noticed very quickly that it wasn’t such a good idea at all. The computer is my number one tool for organizing, idea gathering and storage. In the meanwhile, I’ve treasured a respectable amount of ideas plus imp and comp notes for quite a lot of purposes. But when it comes to free your mind and be intellectually creative (vs. visually), a solid, fresh white sheet of paper is the best thing that can happen to your inspiration. A healthy, productive mix works fine for me.

Don’t be afraid of pen & paper!

After all, the computer - in this case, programs like Illustrator and Photoshop - is a tool that adds functionality to your birth-given and by time improved assets: your brains and your fingertips. It’s perfect and absolutely essential for art direction. But when it comes to creating something that needs other tools than those mentioned, using a computer is rather distracting and slowing off.

The word is to make a difference between intellectual and visual creativity. Use whatever tool you need to achieve the best results. Find out for yourself, for each single task! Take a step back and ask yourself, Do I really need the computer for this? Couldn’t I do it faster, and better, just with my own hands?