Starting with the end in mind
In my humble opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't use the traditional method of paper and pencil to begin your concept phase.
Drawing out your concept first can often allow you to accelerate the ideation process. In addition, it can be used as a template to create from throughout the entire design process. Use the following steps to check your understanding of this process. We will begin by planning out an illustration, and then develop it on top of the sketch's layer after making it a template layer:
- Start with the plan: Consider the intended output for your work. Although it isn't essential, I would recommend you start with a medium that is either the exact size of the intended output or a ratio of it. This will allow you to easily scale the artwork to the file's output size without distortion. For example, if you intend to print a large file at 16x20 inches, then draw on a 4x5 inch or 8x10 inch piece...