While today’s tablet sketching apps are a dime a dozen, only very few of them actually get the user experience right – particularly when it comes to truly being useful rather than being an interface to digitally doodle. While few things could ever replace a simple back pocket sketchpad and a favorite pen, this generation’s ability to quickly archive other sources of inspiration – particularly photographs – is becoming increasingly easier and more useful thanks to the mobile devices that are also always in our pockets, too.
Unsurprisingly, the challenge of having a bombardment of inspirational sources – whether sketches, images or webpage snippets – is organizing them. Although Cloud-based idea archiving apps such as Evernote have proven to be indispensable, they have often come short in other designer-friendly features including digital sketching tools.
Aiming to fill this void for designers, engineers, architects and Makers who are on-the-go, design utility app company The Morpholio Project (AKA Morpholio) has just released their new ‘Journal‘ app that aims to be a ‘mixing chamber’ where different media types including photos and sketches can be used together for tracking inspiration and ultimately, fueling a creative process.
“(We) never (want you to) lose an idea again,” explains Morpholio. “Whether you sketch daily or occasionally, inspiration strikes us all at the most unexpected moments. Journal allows you to effortlessly record, organize, sketch and brainstorm ideas along with photos, images or text to capture and develop your most important thoughts.”
Among other tools in the app’s digital toolkit include a collage tool for easily putting together mood boards, material boards and archives of discovery, as well as high quality sketching and writing tools including pens, chisel markers, charcoal, pencils and paint.
All of the tools are used within a unique book interface that is capable of being expanded to include thousands of pages in multiple organized books. Ultimately, the goal of the company was to create an immersive creative experience which allows creatives to painlessly keep track of everything interesting throughout their day that can be visualized, tested and further explored.
For those who want to try the app out for themselves on iPad or iPhone, it’s a free download for the basic version while a number of add-ons including brushes, diagrams and even designer-specific tools such as automotive can be purchased for $.99 apiece.
