SketchX advocates for the process behind the product

by Jordan Petteys

Subtle spotlights bestowed a warm glow on worn and well-loved sketchbooks at the third annual Sketchbook Exhibition, “SketchX.” Fourth year architecture student and exhibition curator, Nicholas Hammond, flashed a grin at incoming viewers as they suited up with electric pink latex gloves and refreshments.  

The room bubbled with constant “oohs,” “ah’s” and “look at this one!” at every table from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 24. Eager and sweaty palms shielded by latex armor glided over illustrations, color palettes, pattern swatches, floor plans and more.

“When people [show] their portfolios, they have these beautiful final products and a beautiful render and that’s great. However, the process is ten times more important than any of those final products. [Companies] are not hiring you for what you’ve already done, rather the process you bring to the company that’s going to push them forward,” said Hammond.

Regardless of major, every sketchbook celebrated the endeavors behind rendered designs. “That sketchbook acts as that symbol of what you’re capable of doing,” said Hammond. The exhibition offered four awards boasting cash prizes, matched by gift cards to Ex Libris.

The exhibition embraced ideation and project evolution from 120 different sketchbooks. With graduation just around the corner for Hammond, the new Disney hire has entrusted his signature event with the Drawing Minor. “I hope it continues to grow. I started when I was an RA, so I realized that a lot of people, even freshman year, get stuck within their major. In any of our fields, from writing to drawing to architecture to industrial, you don’t push the industry forward without looking outside,” said Hammond.