Conceptual sketches – by Jeff Hunter
Sketch boneyard.
“Too fast to live. Too young to die.”
Malcolm Mclaren summed up the life expectancy of the thumbnail sketch perfectly. In the world of advertising, the fastest, freshest and most daring idea is usually king. Which pretty much leaves all the other ideas to fend for themselves. The following collection of mostly rejected thumbnail sketches is my tribute to all of the “other” ideas that have ever been conceived and then killed in the name of advertising. Welcome to the sketch boneyard. It’s customary to remove your hat.
Thinking with thumbnails.
A thumbnail is a quick sketch that captures the tone and essence of the idea while giving the art director a canvas to work out any visual challenges. It’s an invaluable concepting tool for those who like to think on bar napkins. And now I present a 3:2 window into my creative process. To the Art Directors who strive to perfect their craft, I say “Behold the lost art of the thumbnail sketch.” And to my second grade teacher, “Yes Ms. Schnepp, you can make a living by doodling all day.”
