In this paper we explore the use and rationales of sketching in different designpractices such as architecture, product design and graphic design. We recognise that there arepreferences, manners and specific expressions that are characteristic for different practiceswithin design, something we label “visual dialects”. Our aim is to articulate these dialects andexplore the rationales behind them. The study is initiated through a literature review toexplore the field of sketching in design practice, followed by a phenomenographic study ofonline content in the form of “how to draw like a..”. The results showed that there is acommon view on why to sketch, but a differing view on how. Conclusion is that the conceptof visual dialects can be a platform for furthers studies of visual communication in early design.