Sketch Series: Ashley Liu

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Ashley Liu's doodles are as vibrant and playful as the designer herself. The New York-based employee has sketches dating back to her design school days, though she typically approaches drawing with a fun and whimsical approach. From conference calls to the streets of South America, Ashley spoke with us about the role that her doodles play in not taking herself too seriously.How did you first get into sketching/drawing? I started to sketch when applying to design school. I actually don't keep a regular sketchbook. I usually grab any available papers or even napkins when I want to draw.Tell us about your drawings. I made these stair railing sketches and 3D detail studies for a current hotel project in San Francisco, California. We presented different options to the client based on my design:Here are a few doodles from a super long conference call with all consultants:This bathroom design was for a school project, designed for a Christian Louboutin store, with high heels displayed on the walls: When I was studying at the New York School of Interior Design, I took an accessories class at the Fashion Institute of Technology where we designed handbags, chairs with different "hairstyles," and other fun iterations of furniture design:What do you sketch when you’re not at work?Anything - anything that comes into my mind! I sometimes draw food when I’m in a restaurant, and buildings and street views when I’m traveling. In my last trip to Cartagena, Columbia, I sat in a cute restaurant, ordered a cup of coffee, and asked for milk for my coffee. The waitress didn’t understand English and I don’t speak Spanish, so she kept giving me sugar, spoons, all kinds of stuff, but not milk! So I ended up grabbing a piece of napkin and drew on it, and then she smiled, and gave me milk. I think she ended up keeping my drawing.What are your favorite tools?A black pen – it looks more professional and cool!What was the last thing that inspired you?The Tree Hotel (The 7th room).