Yes...and no. I will usually try one block the way the pattern is written. That way, I get to see how it all fits together. THEN I'll change things around if I know an easier way, or one that takes less fabric, or upsizing a difficult portion and then trimming to size. I've even been known to draw out portions of a block and paper piece.
It all depends on what works for me and that certainly might not be what works for you.