Development of a drillship is mainly about capacity, operational security and economy. But in these times of razor-sharp competition, design and identity are gaining significance. A ship also needs character.
During an early stage of the development of the INO-80 concept, Inocean’s designers used an approach similar to that used to develop products such as leisure boats and vehicles – in addition to the ongoing engineering work, they sketched from hand. Such drawings aren’t usually made public, but we’re making an exception.
Many anticipated that manual sketching would die out as the tools for 3D modelling got better and better. But it didn’t. Inocean designer Nils Erik Werenskiold, whose CV includes a Masters in automotive design from Coventry University, explains why:
More life and feeling
“Sketches have several advantages. One of them is that you can visualize ideas and concepts a lot faster. You can be sitting at a meeting and sketch new proposals one after the other and toss ideas back and forth as the drawings take new directions. This is also useful with regard to sales and presentations. And there’s also more life and feeling in a well executed sketch than in pure computer models. That’s why most design agencies with a modicum of self respect use sketches integrally in their concept development,” asserts Werenskiold.
Must keep training
Perhaps the most professional and design-oriented business, the automotive industry, employs certain designers whose speciality is hand-drawn sketches and concept development. Continuous practice is required because sketching techniques call for at least as much maintenance effort as computer skills, according to Werenskiold. When the sketch development is finished and presented, the next step is to create a computer model of the concept using 3D software. This are then used further to construct physical models.
3D Model of INO 80
What characterizes a good sketch?
“In my view a sketch should sell itself. It ought to have a personal quality that makes it unique and eye-popping, attracting attention and triggering enthusiasm. At the same time it mustn’t be too far out. If it isn’t fairly realistic the point is lost. “
How do you work with sketches from start to finish?
“It all depends on what kind of project we’re talking about. When it comes to our drillship, INO 80, creating our own expression was essential from the get-go. We got our inspiration outside the typical maritime traditions –from industrial machines to organic forms and architecture. The bow is to some extent inspired by the honest and simple bonnet or hood of the little old Ferguson tractors of the 1940s and ‘50s, the “Little Grey Fergie”. Although, in front view, some might be more prone to perceive lines found in the bottom-half of a bikini. It’s a masculine and feminine mix, harmony in contrasts. The same way we got colour inspriation from clothes, furniture, nature etc. Even though our impulses stem from multiple arenas, we never lose our focus – we know it’s a ship we’re designing,” emphasizes Werenskiold.
About Nils Erik Werenskiold
Nils Erik Werenskiold says he has been drawing since he was a child. He grew up in a home where he was surrounded by art and as far back as he can remember he’s been intrigued by aesthetics and function. This led to a degree in industrial design at the University of Central England, BIAD, supplemented by a Masters in automotive design at Coventry University. Nils Erik Werenskiold has worked at Inocean since 2008.