With Sketchbook for iPhone, Autodesk Wants to Democratize High-Tech Design

A company known for niche design programs ventures into the mass market. But why?

Autodesk does well-over $2 billion in annual revenues, but unless you're a designer, you probably don't know the company: They produce sophisticated programs, often costing thousands of dollars, which are necessary tools in design professions ranging from architecture to digital animation.

So it's a bit of surprise that lately, they've been fooling around with iPad and web apps geared towards a mass audience...