Earlier this year we spent some time at the National Hardware Show, which is a great place to hunt for innovative new tools and products. We always love home-grown innovation, and the Sketch-It clipboard was one of our favorite inventions we sniffed out at the show. I wasn’t expecting much when I walked up to the Sketch-It booth. It basically looked like they were selling some standard clipboards in a variety of colors. Once Ryan from Sketch-It gave me a demo, I went from bored to intrigued and impressed.
Anytime I venture to sketch out something by hand, it usually looks like something a drunken toddler with a blindfold on might have sketched. Yes, I did say drunken toddler. No I don’t recommend alcohol for toddlers. The point is, my ability to draw a straight line, without the crutch of my computer, or an antiquated ruler, is just very limited. The clever Sketch-It aims to turn people like me into instant architects (or, at least turn them into people that can draw straight). Check out the Sketch-It in action at NHS:
The secret to Sketch-It is a “micro-textured” surface that basically guides your ballpoint pen or mechanical pencil and keeps it from running astray. It’s all done without a ruler in sight. Raised tabs at the top help you align your paper consistently, and a rubber clip makes sure your masterpiece stays put. A protractor and isometric lines help you bust out your high school geometry and art skills in one fell swoop. Available in tons of colors. We think the Sketch-it is a must-have if you’re regularly sketching things in the field. It’s also very handy for DIY projects like sketching a kitchen remodel or cabinetry project. It’s even made in the USA so you can feel all patriotic about purchasing it. My only suggestion: they should think about adding a section (on the back-side?) that can help you do perfect circles. Landscapers and irrigation folks would no-doubt dig it even more!
The Sketch-It Clipboard is available for a reasonable $19.95 straight from our friends over at Sketch-It. We still don’t recommend it for drunken, blind-folded toddlers though.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
It looks like it is $24.95 at the Sketch-it site ?
$19.95 at Lang Dynamic Products:
http://www.langdp.com/buy-sketch-it-board/
a little less for shipping there too.
Thanks for sharing the discounted Sketch-It link Kimber!
Awesome. I’m getting one of these for my dad when his birthday rolls around next. Maybe by then they’ll have implemented your circle idea!
Glad we could help Jeff, it’s a great gift idea! If people have never seen one before they seem to find the Sketch-It a little magical on first use.