Sketching an important communication tool, even for the non-artist 

Dear “Word people,”
 
I’m sorry if I ever laughed at a sketch you showed me. Chuckled when you handed me a flow chart using ten different fonts. Flinched at your excessive use of WordArt.
 
I must apologize for the art teacher you had in fourth grade, who scared you away from art and sketching, criticizing to the point of making you feel self-conscious. My heart aches at every game of Pictionary you ever lost. 
 
I have a confession to make — I can’t draw to save my life. And that’s okay. Nobody is judging you.
 
Not everyone can be M.C. Escher.
 
I have a request to make for all of the “Word people” out there, now that you know it’s safe. Sketch. Please. 
 
Rarely do you ask me to design something without any preconceived notions. When you’re asking me to do a poster, chances are you’ve thought about what it might look like. If it’s a pamphlet, you probably have an idea of which information should be grouped together, and in what order you’d like it presented. 
 
Give me a sketch. Anything. 
 
I can’t promise that I’m going to take exactly what you draw and recreate it exactly as you dreamed. I can’t even promise that I’m going to like your ideas, but it’s a start.
 
The problem I have with “Word people” is that I tend to think visually all the time. If you’re describing something, and it looks like I’m not listening, it’s probably because I’m trying to see it in my head, so that I can understand you. 
 
You’ve seen it happen — we’re the kids in the back of class drawing on the desk while you talk, the ones doodling all over the handout for every meeting. It’s not meant to be disrespectful, it just helps our brains work. 
 
Even if you think you’re a crappy artist and all you can draw is a stick figure, please, if you have an idea, put the pencil to paper and make an effort to show me what you mean. 
 
I can’t read your mind. I can’t see inside your head. I promise not to laugh at your sketch, as long as it helps me understand what it is you want. I can’t sketch to save my life, and I don’t care if you can or not — I’m just asking you to meet me halfway.
 

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