Do you love doodling, and find yourself doodling whenever you get time? Well, this is how the fundamentals of design begin. You start with a simple rough idea; however, you need the right balance and process in your sketches to transform them digitally with the help of artificial intelligence. 

This blog will help you learn how to digitise your unique design concepts and elevate them from a basic napkin doodle to a professional design in the digital medium.

How to digitise your unique design concepts

Step 1: Start sketching

You must kick start with clear and high-contrast sketches:

1. Using sharp pencils on white paper with black ink.
2. Focus on keeping the sketch simple and bold, as the minute lines can be missed during the scanning process.
3. Begin by sketching the loose compositions and then proceed to refine the output via tracing paper
4. Prioritise good lighting and the use of flat paper to avoid distortion while scanning and photographing.

Step 2: Accurately scan to capture the sketch

Through scanning, you get the best results:

1. Use a flatbed scanner at 300 DPI minimum for top print quality.
2. Save the sketch as PNG or JPEG for higher contrast.

Smartphone method:

1. You place the sketch on a flat surface
2. Use scanning applications such as CamScanner and Adobe Scan that detect the edges.
3. Adjust the contrast and brightness to enhance the lines and make it pop against the white background.

Step 3: Import the image and clean up in the software

Option A: Raster Tracing

Deploy graphics design tools such as Canva, Procreate, Photoshop, etc.

1. Import your scanned image as a layer
2. Reduce the opacity to 30-50% and add a new layer above.
3. Trace accurately using a pressure-sensitive brush to follow the sketch lines.
4. In the end, erase the sketch layer once you are finished.

Option B: Using Vector Tracing

Deploy tools such as Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, etc.

1. Position the scan and lock the layer
2. Select the Pen tool for tracking outlines
3. Selectively fill the colors and add the details.
4. Use Illustrator’s image trace for automatic tracing.

Step 4: Refine & Enhance

1. Colour: Utilise a balanced palette that aligns with your concept and use designing tools such as Adobe Color, Coolors and more.
2. Layout: Digitising reflects the existing spacing issues, and adjusts promotions for the right balance.
3. Typography: Test font in the digital realm, as sketch letterforms mostly require adjustment for better readability.
4. Effects: Give a touch of shadows, textures, or gradients.

Step 5: Export the sketch for various purposes

1. Web & Social: SVG / PNG
2. Prototypes: Export to Figma/ Adobe XD for interactive mockups.
3. Print: PDF with CMYK tools, bleeds, 300 DPI

Why Should You Invest In Local Training?

Some of the premium graphic design colleges in Kolkata, such as Arena Animation, MAAC, and other institutes, teach and mentor students through hands-on workflows. We offer the best graphic design courses with industry-practiced software and modern technology that helps the students to bridge the gap between professional delivery and sketching more precisely than just trial and error.

Best Tools Recommendations

Individuals can use several free and paid tools, such as:

• Free: Canva, Inkscape, Photopea
• Paid: Procreate, Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and so on.
• Hardware: Basic drawing tablet – Wacom Intuos can improve tracing efficiency.

In Conclusion

Your first digital version may not be in sync with the sketch’s raw energy. You should proactively make the changes as per the feedback. Mastering sketch to screen is the right approach to refine your skills. You can accomplish this either through online resources or the best graphic design courses in Kolkata. Your persistence can transform raw sketches into final outputs.