The ultimate design tool - Paper (and markers)

Hi everyone!

My name's Jakub and this is my very post here 🫡

I'm a freelance web designer and wanted to share my thoughts with you. We all use so many different tools but often times the simplest ones are actually the best. And yes it is about just the regular paper 📝😅

Here goes the list of my 5 reasons why I love using it in my daily work:

1. It's fast and spontaneous 🚀

Paper allows for immediate sketching without the need to worry about file management. All those juicy ideas flow quickly from mind to hand. Especially in the initial phases of the design process we often sketch multiple ideas in a very short amount of time. Using (almost) any kind of software requires you to think in terms of it and it's requirements.

2. Low-Fidelity => Big Picture 🖼️

Sketching on paper helps keep ideas simple and rough. It's really hard to overcomplicate things. There's also no pressure to perfect the look so it's a lot easier to focus on the core ideas and concepts without wasting time on details. At the early stages of design there's no need to focus on aestethics, it's all about the Big Picture.

3. Things go wrong? Tear that paper and move on!!! 😡

Sometimes we all get stuck. It sucks. When I get frustrated that things don't go as smoothly as I wished, I can always tear that piece of paper and throw it across my room to the nearest thrash. It makes my work a bit more fun and I get to practice my basketball skills 🏀 2x Win

4. Accessible and Convenient Anytime, Anywhere 🤗

Paper is universally accessible. There's no battery so it want let you down in the time of need. Markers and pens are super light so you can always carry at least 2 (You never know...). Also it doesn't require any stupid updates and there're no popups.

5. Handwritting and sketches are good for your brain!🧠

There're studies that suggest handwriting notes and sketches helps with memory retention and improves cognitive processing. For designers, this could mean stronger conceptual understanding and retention of ideas as they create. Writing and sketching ideas on paper also help designers digest and clarify their thoughts, which can lead to better design choices down the line.

Using paper in the initial stages of design is not about being traditional or “old-school”; it’s about using a powerful tool that allows for quick ideation. In a world dominated by digital tools, paper offers a refreshingly simple, intuitive way to think and create. And it's actually quite fun 😛

If you liked this brief article please let me know!

See ya!