Beyond this place there be dragons.

In Instanbul (1502)

A Strange Request is Made

Golden Horn Bridge Sketch

Da Vinci Details the Design

Da Vincis Bridge to Nowhere

In 1991, Its Built in Norway

Why Da Vinci?

Hi, my name is

Brian Sullivan.

@bigdesign @BrianKSullivan #davinci

My Friends and I run the Big Design Conference.

Top 10 Thinkers of All-Time

1. Leonardo Da Vinci
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. William Shakespeare The Pyramid Builders Johanne Wolfgang van Goethe Michelangelo Sir Isaac Newton Thomas Jefferson Alexander the Great Phidias (the Architect of Rome) Albert Einstein
source: Tony Buzans Book of Genius (1994)

7 Steps to Everyday Genius

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Be curious. You should be constantly learning. Test knowledge. Learn from your mistakes. Improve your own experience. Make it multi-sensory. Embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty. Whole-brain thinking (science/art, logic/emotion). Know the physical world (grace, dexterity, fitness). Use system-thinking. See interconnections.

Every designer should have these characteristics (and every problem-solver).

 Content

UX Sketch Books Published

UX Sketch Paper Created

A3 and A4 Sketching Paper Four Dots Per Inch A4 Paper iPhone Wireframe Sheets Android Application Sheets 4 Cell Storyboard Paper ZURB Sketch Sheets 6-UP Sketch Sheets

Sketch Software Released

Sketch Flow

Basalmiq

UX Sketching: Design Studio

Participants produce several sketches. Discuss and critique, then re-sketch. Merge ideas into one design concept.

Generate, Refine...Repeat

You use the creative and evaluate sides of your brain in Design Studios.

Can Da Vinci Apply to UX?

Da Vincis True Legacy

The Last Supper (1495-98)

Mona Lisa (1503-05)

Only 30 Finished Paintings

Sketches: Greatest Legacy

He Was a Prolific Sketcher

13,000
pages

13,000 Pages Equates To

+ + + + + +

Harry Potter Series Chronicles of Narnia Lord of the Rings Trilogy Hunger Games Trilogy Game of Thrones Series 9/11 Commission Report NIV Bible Total Pages

4,100 768 1,011 1,155 4,197 1,181 585 12,997

6,000 Storyboards for Brave

Source: Mashable (2012)

Under a Painting is a Sketch

Lots of Sketches Per Page

Vitruvian Man = 2 Shoulders = 7 Flowers = 20 Spike Ladder = 7 Glider = 8 Tank = 3

He is the most prolific sketcher ever.

5 Sketching Secrets

Da Vincis Sketching Method

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sketch by hand on sheets of paper. Do initial sketches alone. Review with others, later. Use annotations, arrows, and labels. Save and re-visit earlier sketches.

1. Use Separate Pages

Codex Atlanticus (over 1,000 individual sketches)

No iPad

No Field Notes/Moleskine

Bound pages are too constraining.

Separate Pages

Leonardo Lessons:
Sketch by Hand: 1. No constraints. 2. Quick and cheap. 3. No special skills. On Separate Pages: 1. Portable. 2. Re-organized. 3. Grouped.

2. Do Initial Sketches Alone

Da Vinci dissected 10 cadavers for his over 750 sketches on human anatomy.

Da Vinci Sketched Alone

He would initially sketch alone. Then, a doctor reviewed for technical accuracy.

Cause of a Sweet Death

Da Vinci asked an old man if he could him dissect him when he died. The old man accepted.
Leonardo held the old man when he died. He started dissecting within a few minutes.

Two Artists, Same Interest

Da Vinci and Michaelangelo dissected human cadaverssocially repugnant.

Sketch Alone

Leonardo Lessons:
Sketch Alone: 1. No distractions. 2. Generate faster. 3. Incubate time. 4. Reflect, inspire. 5. Breathing room. 6. Avoid group think.

3. Review with Others

Marcontonio della Torre reviewed the human anatomy sketches for accuracy.

Reviewed by Generals

Da Vinci reviewed sketches of weapons with generals and soldiers.

Review Together

Leonardo Lessons:
Review Together: 1. Need expertise. 2. Collaboration. 3. Validation. 4. Accuracy. 5. Consensus.

4. Annotate, Arrows, Labels

Da Vincis sketches were wireframes: pictures with words, arrows, and labels.

Dissecting a Da Vinci Sketch

1. 2. 3. 4. Picture in center. Label on top. Annotate on side. Arrows point to key content.

Wireframe are the Same

1. 2. 3. 4. Picture in center. Label on top. Annotate on side. Arrows point to key content.

Yes, a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Words with pictures equals clarity.

Leonardo Lessons:
Sketches Need: 1. Picture 2. Description 3. Arrows 4. Annotations 5. Labels

5. Save and Re-visit Later

Some scholars think Da Vinci used an early form of the Cornell Method.

Da Vincis Shortcuts
Main content area Questions and Keywords

Summary Information

Reorganized Sketches

Codex Atlanticus (over 1,000 individual sketches)

Grouped Weapon Sketches

Da Vinci drew these sketches at different times, but they are grouped together.

Grouped Anatomy Sketches

Marcontonio della Torre wanted to publish this work, but he died of the Black Death.

Technology Helps Us Group

Evernote Fireworks

Flickr

Facebook

Revisit Later

Leonardo Lessons:
Store & Re-visit: 1. Dont throw out. 2. Store for later. 3. Cluster together. 4. Make findable. 5. Revisit later.

Generating Ideas

1. 2. 3. 4.

Strive for Quantity Defer Judgment Seek New Combinations Use Your Imagination

1. Strive for Quantity

Vitruvian Man is an iconic sketch of human potential.
The Greek scholar, Vitruvius, said a mans body could fit inside a circle and a square.

750 Anatomy Sketches

Three Masterpieces

Innovation scholars predict that it takes 3,000 raw ideas for 1 successful idea. 13,000 sketches = 3 Masterpieces 750 anatomy sketches = Vitruvian Man

Leonardo Lessons:
1. Quantity Leads to Quality. 2. 13,000 sketches led to 3 classic masterpieces.

2. Defer Judgment
It is easier to resist in the beginning than at the end. - Da Vinci
Defer positive and negative judgment.

Sketch of The Last Supper

Jesus and Judas Problems

Two Years Later

COOL
BEST
#1

AWESOME
WOW

YES

SPECTACULAR

SUPER KILLER NEAT SWEET

EXCELLENT

PAINFUL
#2

NOPE
WEAK

BLOWS
BAD

IT SUCKS!!!
UGLY

NO

DENIED

REJECT NIX IT!

Leonardo Lessons:
1. Positive judgment shuts you down. 2. Negative judgment shuts you down. 3. Your own judgment blocks you, too. 4. Your sketch is a draft to re-visit.

3. New Combinations

Da Vinci had a pet dragon.

Leonardos Pet Dragon

Da Vinci created a pet dragon by gluing other animal parts to a lizard.
He added fish scales. He gave it a bat ears. He painted the lizard. He added wings that flapped when it walked.

Da Vinci always looked to put things to another use.

The First Automobile

Using the existing tools of his day, he made the/ the first automobile.
Steering columns. Rack and pinions. Wheels. Cranks. Springs.

Leonardo Lessons:
1. New combinations from existing parts. 2. Put old things to a new uses. 3. Take an element and make it bigger or smaller.

4. Use Your Imagination

Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake? - Da Vinci

Common Response Zone

Da Vincis Flying Machines

Successful Glider Test

In 2006, scientists flew a Da Vinci Glider, using available material from his time.

Leonardo Lessons:
1. Avoid the common response zone. 2. More ideas force you to use your imagination. 3. Let ideas incubate. Re-visit with a new perspective.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Strive for Quantity Defer Judgment Seek New Combinations Use Your Imagination

Refining Ideas

1. 2. 3. 4.

Use Positive Judgment Consider Novelty Stay Focused Redirect Yourself

1. Use Positive Judgment

The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions. - Da Vinci

65,000 thoughts per day. 65% are negative, roughly 42,000.

He Struggled Personally

PAINFUL
#2

NOPE
WEAK

BLOWS
BAD

IT SUCKS!!!
UGLY

NO

DENIED

REJECT NIX IT!

Leonardo Lessons:
1. Use positive judgment first. 2. Explore for value and benefit. 3. Avoid the natural tendency to think initially negative.

2. Consider Novelty
There are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown, those who do not see.
- Da Vinci

The City of Venice called one of Da Vincis inventions impractical.

Pope Leo X Bans Autopsies

Da Vincis dissections of cadavers was seen as disgusting. It was outlawed by the Pope.

Sultan Rejected His Bridge

Swoop and poop! The executive seagull maneuver. - Jared Spool

Leonardo Lesson:
1. Dont dismiss novel ideas immediately. 2. Novel ideas might lead to innovations. 3. Many of Leonardos ideas were rejected. 4. Your idea may be ahead of its time.

3. Stay Focused
As every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.

- Da Vinci

Perfectionist & Procrastinator

Break

Lunch

Break

You will lose focus from time to time. Take a break. Go for a walk. Re-focus.

The Da Vinci Dilemma

Too many talents, not enough time. Mathematician Scientist Anatomist Military Strategist Civil Engineer Artist Sketcher

A Death Bed Confession

I have offended God and mankind because my work didn't reach the quality it should have. - Da Vinci

Leonardo Lessons:
1. Stay focused on whats important. 2. Take breaks or walks to re-focus. 3. Focus on one thing at a time. 4. Dont procrastinate. 5. Perfectionism kills productivity.

4. Redirect Yourself

Cesar Borgia, Short Bio

Son of a Pope Cardinal by age 17 Killed his brother Dictator in his land Survived poisoning Killed many followers Died in war Patron of Da Vinci for a short time

Machiavelli, Short Bio

Politician for 14 years Head of Florence militia Wrote The Prince
Ends justify the means. Better to be feared than loved. Too much freedom can lead to the soul's decay.

Borgia: Machiavellis Prince

Da Vinci Caught in Middle

Suffered Severe Trauma

Da Vinci had "a profound psychological change . . . as a result of his terrifying experiences with Borgia.
source: Paul Strathern (2010)

Da Vinci Built Maps

Improved Borgias Fortress

It had rounded walls to counter the direct impact of a cannonball. Interior walls led to fortified positions.

Designed a Movable Bridge

Da Vincis Grotesque Error

Imagine what Borgia would done with: Glider Crossbow Tank Cluster Bomb Machine Gun Helicopter Hand-crank catapult

Da Vinci Redirects His Work

Da Vinci gives Borgia defensive items: Map of Milan Map of Imola Hedometer Movable Bridges Improved Ladder Fortress Redesign

Da Vinci Redirects His Work

I will not publish, nor divulge such things because of the evil nature of men. - Da Vinci

Stores Them in a Codex

Codex Atlanticus (most of his military sketches)

I have wasted my hours.

Final words of Da Vinci

Leonardo Lessons:
1. You cannot avoid politics. 2. Maintain your own values, to the end. 3. Design can be done under duress. 4. Re-direct yourself to positive things.

Final Thoughts

5 Sketching Secrets
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sketch by hand. Use sheets of paper. Do initial sketches alone. Review with others, later. Use annotations, arrows, and labels. Save and re-visit earlier sketches.

 Content

1. 2. 3. 4.

Strive for Quantity Defer Judgment Seek New Combinations Use Your Imagination

1. 2. 3. 4.

Use Positive Judgment Consider Novelty Stay Focused Redirect Yourself

1. 2. 3. 4.

Strive for Quantity Defer Judgment Seek New Combinations Use Your Imagination

1. 2. 3. 4.

Use Positive Judgment Consider Novelty Stay Focused Redirect Yourself