In an era of artificial intelligence, photorealistic renderings, and endless digital inspiration, it may seem surprising that my design process still begins the same way it did more than twenty-five years ago, with a pencil and a blank sheet of paper.

Before the furniture is specified, before the finishes are selected, and long before a contractor begins construction, I sketch.

Not because I am resistant to technology. In fact, today's tools have transformed many aspects of design and communication. But there is something uniquely powerful about the direct connection between the mind, the eye, and the hand. A sketch captures an idea in its purest form, before it becomes constrained by software, dimensions, budgets, or expectations.

It may seem slower but I find it far more thorough. At the end of a sketch, I know what problems we will need to consider, areas where we have flexibility, details that will need to be resolved and above all a highly intuitive feeling of whether or not it will not only look but also feel good!

From hand-lettering to blue lines I use all my original drafting skills, but with the ease and speed of technology thanks to some great software, tools, and apps. For design on the go I love MORPHOLIO TRACE I use it on my ipad pro and can work from anywhere and no ink all over my hands at the end of the day!

I love honoring traditional methods while embracing modern techniques. - Susan Knof