For me, every project usually starts the same way—with an idea, then a quick concept sketch to help bring that idea into the real world. Currently, it’s the fastest way to take something out of my head and make it real. But the moment you introduce friction into that process—having to get up, search for tools, dig through drawers to locate my favorite pencil set—that moment starts to slip away. I found myself breaking my stride, constantly stopping to look around for my essential sketching tools.  So, it was time for me to get organized and solve this problem.   📺🎬 Check out the video below 🎬📺

The Sketch Vault is my answer to that problem—a compact, purpose-built sketch kit designed to remove that friction completely and let me move straight from idea to paper without interruption.

The goal of this project was to create something that lets me start sketching immediately, no matter where I am. I wanted a system that didn’t require setup or thought—something I could open and instantly be in my design workflow.

For me, almost every project begins with loose, fast sketches. This stage is not about perfection—it’s about momentum. Lines are rough, ideas evolve quickly, and nothing is locked in yet.

This is where I explore forms, proportions, and mechanisms without constraints. It’s also the most fragile part of the process. If I lose focus or get interrupted, the energy behind those ideas disappears just as fast as it showed up. That’s exactly why the Sketch Vault exists—to support this phase without getting in the way. It keeps me locked into that creative headspace so I can stay focused on pushing ideas forward.

Once the sketches started to take shape, I moved into 3DWhiteboard. This becomes my central hub for organizing everything related to the project. 

I use 3DWhiteboard to collect and arrange my sketches and thoughts.  I will also bring in reference images, explore layout ideas, and help map out the build's direction. It’s a space where the chaos of early ideation begins to get organized. 

What I like most about this stage is that it allows me to step back and see everything at once. I can evaluate ideas, make adjustments, and start thinking more intentionally about how the design will come together.

With a clear direction in place, I moved into SOLIDWORKS to begin building the Sketch Vault digitally. I started by modeling each tool individually, making sure I had accurate geometry to design around.  From there, I used SOLIDWORKS Assemblies to bring everything together. This step was critical because it allowed me to understand how each component interacted within the system fully. I could test spacing, refine clearances, and develop the internal layout in a way that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

One of the key features that emerged from this phase was the rotating internal wings that hold the pencils. (red pencil holders) Being able to test that movement digitally and refine it inside the assembly ensured that it would function properly once built.  By the time the assembly was complete, everything had a place, everything worked together, and the design felt resolved.

I opened up my finished SOLIDWORKS assembly inside SOLIDWORKS Visualize. This is where the high-end renders really help tell the story. Clean, polished visuals of the open and closed case give a clear picture of the final intent before it’s even built.

For this project, I turned to my 3D printer to bring the design into the real world. The entire case is fully 3D printed, carefully engineered to strike a balance between strength and weight while holding tight, consistent tolerances across every part.

After spending so much time developing it digitally, watching those components come off the printer and fit together exactly as intended was easily one of the most rewarding moments in the whole process.

I used multiple colors in the 3D printing process, introducing a red background beneath each tool. The purpose of this was simple but incredibly effective—if a tool is missing, it becomes immediately obvious.

Red = Missing tools

This small detail is super important to me. Now, I can quickly scan the layout and know with confidence that everything is back where it belongs. It removes doubt and reinforces the idea that this is a tool built for real, everyday use.

Like most projects, this one took a few iterations to get right. Early prototypes helped me test fitment, refine tolerances, and adjust the overall layout.

(I used the Rib Feature inside SOLIDWORKS)

Each version brought the design closer to something that felt intuitive and reliable. By the final iteration, everything snapped together cleanly, and all the moving parts worked exactly as intended.

The entire case is 3D printed, designed to balance strength and weight while maintaining tight, consistent tolerances. Seeing all the parts come together after being developed digitally was one of the most rewarding parts of the process.

At its core, this project is about speed and focus. It’s about removing the small barriers that get in the way of creativity and building a system that supports the way ideas actually happen.  I had a problem, and I designed a solution for myself. This is exactly why I love Industrial Design so much!  

Now, whether I’m sitting at my desk, working in the shop, or outside sketching in the field, the Sketch Vault gives me a consistent, reliable workspace. The layout is always the same. The tools are always in reach. There’s no transition period between thinking and doing. And now, when an idea shows up, I’m ready for it. 😁

🎬 Check out this video of the building process🎬