To mark the beginning of our summer events, IDSA Chicago introduced a new event that appealed to sketch-heads throughout Chicago. "Iron Sketch" - based on the Japanese cult favorite "Iron Chef" - matched designers one-on-one to compete in short sketch battles surrounding a theme product idea. Some came to flex their (design) muscles and compete, throwing their names in to compete in either the student or professional bracket; others came for the spectacle, the snacks, and to try out some new design tools. Either way, over 50 people gathered into the event space in gravitytank's fancy new River North office.

The event began with our Iron Sketch "Chairman", Craig Berman, walking through the ins and outs of sketching on a Wacom Cintiq tablet using Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. He showed a mesmerized audience the basics of drawing, erasing, and adding color, before he handed the stage over to the pros. Those who did not want to compete were able to practice their techniques on some tablets that were not hooked up to projectors.

To begin the competition, two competitors' names were randomly pulled – the competitors took their seats in front of the Cintiq tablets, and their screens were projected for the audience to see. Then, Chairman Berman would choose the theme, and each designer would have five minutes to complete a concept sketch. "A better baby monitor," "A portable blender," and "A new way to exercise" were just some of the topics that made their way to the stage that night. After five minutes of competition were up, a panel of esteemed judges - Jonathan Dien (gravitytank), Paul Hatch (TEAMS Design), Joey Nakayama (HLB), and Tony Ruth (Vessel Ideation) - scored each sketch based on concept, communication, and skill to determine whose sketch reigned supreme.

Thanks to our sponsors - gravitytank, Autodesk and Wacom - for donating the space, software and hardware for the event, as well as the fabulous prizes they gave to those who received the highest scores. In the words of Iron Chef Chairman Kaga, you truly deserve "the people's ovation and fame forever."

-Jenn Schiffman, IDSA Chicago Chapter Secretary











The judges: Paul, Joey, Jon, and Tony.