So you’ve just finished reading my “Creating Worlds with Form Follows Function” blog and want to give it a try yourself. Sounds like a good plan so let’s get started. Before drawing anything, we need to setup some guidelines to help “contain” the design. This will ensure that our final images are grounded, usable and demonstrate good understanding of the real world. This is my recommended formula:

First, pick a real-world culture. For example, the Romans, Japanese, Chinese, French, Persians, Egyptians, etc.

Next, pick a time period for this culture to limit your design possibilities. If you are trying this for the first time, I suggest avoiding anything futuristic (because it’s hard to find references since they technically don’t exist). Instead, go back in time by at least 50 years.

Finally, pick a function. Refer to my previous article to get some ideas. You can either make new designs or simply retell history as is (coming in part 2).

You still need to do some design work to find the solution, but at least you have some key elements to get you started. Now, before we actually start designing, here are some tips: