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10x10 Sketch Method
4 min readSep 22, 2020
What is it ?
The 10x10 Sketch Method is a technique for making early concept generation sketching more efficient in use of time than a method that stresses finished sketches early in the design process. lt allows more time to explore ideas and so stresses the quality of thinking and the final solution.The 10x 10 Method involves creating ten rows with ten thumbnail sketches per row on each page.
Why Use this Method ?
- It allows more exploration of alternative ideas in a shorter time
- May lead to a final concept which is a better design than traditional approaches.
- Prevents sketches from becoming too detailed in the mind of the designer and more important than the quality of the final design solution.
- Focuses on the number of ideas generated and really gets people thinking/imagining.
Challenges
- This method really takes discipline
- First few ideas will come out easily but will get much harder to hit the goal of 10 thumbnails.
Resources Needed
- Paper
- Fine Line Pens (Black)
- Sharpie Markers (Black)
How to Use this Method ?
- Find a starting point for ideation and consider if and how you will bring insights into the method (ie, empathy maps or key findings).
- Consider a multi-disciplinary team so you can get lots of different perspectives (this might include people who know the background, people with no preconceptions, SME, engineering, people who will deliver the product, users, management, etc.).
- After you have decided on the group design challenge (e.g., a “How might we …?” question) and warmed up, divide the group into table-sized teams of 3–5 people.
- Ask them to roughly sketch different concepts that address the design challenge. They should draw rough pictures, which may don’t use words to provide explanation. Each team should generate 10 or more…
