YOUR DESIGN COACH

Chou-Tac

Your Messages & Questions

I am from india.i want to learn sketching products....
I am from the midlands in England...
I come from the Brazil and I’m looking forward to expanding my skillset!...
I'm from Cameroon, I love shoes and want to invent and create mines. I've being thinking a...
I am a hobbyist...
Hi i’m Midhun from India and I need to improve my sketching skills...
I´m from México. I would like to know what this book offers...
I'm from. Malaysia...and I admire the sketching artwork & love to make my own art...
I come from the Taiwan and I'm looking forward to expanding my skillset!...
I'm a design student from India and I want to improve my design sketching skills...
I come from the USA and am looking forward to expanding my skillset! :D...
To improve my architectural sketching...
I can't get my free book :(...
Ola Michael, Quizas te quieres el "Designer Starter Kit" en espanol. If yes, please send...
I discovered Nomad Sculpt on iPad. https://nomadsculpt.com/ It's crazy interesting. It ...
I am from Holland and I love to design or sketch or sculpt on my iPad...
Quero voltar a desenhar...
Hi Dalila, You are starting an amazing journey! Congrats !!...
Awesome. I hope learning drawing is helping you at your house building activity!...
Welcome Haonan :)...
Hi Rena, if you have any link where we could see your work, I am curious when you mention ...
Awesome! Hope you find valuable content and tips in the blog :)...
I'm from China, and I'm an industrial design student...
Hi! I study sculpture in High School of Fine Arts in Athens,Greece. I"ve just watched the...
I‘m from China,I am a student majoring in industrial design...
I'm from cameroon and i built houses...
I am from Algeria , I am first year industrial design student...
Minimalism is simple but often not easy to find the right curve or line. That is the beaut...
Hi Nicolas, You don't need to change any of your cables. You just need to buy a travel ad...
As another artist travelling US to france with a fat cintiq, a simple question: how did yo...
Like minimalism designs in my crafts...
sadhique from kerala, india...
Hi Mikhael, How are you doing? Thank you! The cover changed, but the guide remains the s...
Hello Rabia, Glad you are looking for sketching improvement besides your school :)...
Hi Marion, I made a beginner introduction to start drawing from imagination. It will help...
Hi Roy, You are starting an amazing journey! Congrats!...
I am Ajayce Roy From India Right now I am looking forward to study product design....
I love sketching but I would like to have more use of my imagination...
ı want to learn draw,ı am a student...
I see a new cover, then I'm curious to download it again, because the book is very solid a...
Hi Dalila, After you go through the Designer Starter Kit, I invite you to try this tutor...
Ola Ruben, If you want to receive the designer starter kit in Spanish, please send me an...
Hi James! Lack of patience is a double-sword quality! I am glad it brings you here. :)...
Hi Julius, awesome! Hope you will find valuable tips and techniques in the blog....
From Rwanda, looking forward to becoming an industrial designer...
USA. Art has always been in my life is various mediums. MY LACK OF PATIENCE seems to bring...
Hola, soy de México, me inspira mucho tu forma de enseñar a dibujar, tus videos y la inf...
I am from Algeria. Want to get better at sketching objects...
Want to get better at sketching objects...
Hi-I'm Terri. I want to learn to draw...
My pleasure Marcos. Estoy feliz para ayudar te a dibujar mejor cada dia. Hope my Spanish...
Superbe Shammi, Glad you are back in track for sketching :) Bravo!!...
My pleasure Sven, I hope you find helpful content for your drawing journey! Cheers, Chou-T...
Hello Eliss, Glad you love drawing and spend time to learn. Awesome! You are gonna do gre...
Hi Estelle, I am glad you enjoy the blog, and that it helps you in your sketching journey ...
Hi Chou-Tac, Your site on sketching is SO Inspiring! I am Estelle, I live in China. I am a...
Kelantan,Malaysia I want to learn to sketch because I love drawing.I always drawing when ...
Thanks Chou Tac for sharing. Love to improve my skills....
thanks, Chou-Tac, your tutorials are exactly what I needed to start sketching again. The b...
Eu sou do Brasil, gostaria de aprimorar minhas técnicas de desenho, muito obrigado....
Hi Vinicius, thank you for sharing about Worldskills. https://worldskills.org/skills/id/5...
Hi chan. My name is Vinícius Arduino, from Brazil. I'm a worldskills competitor, do you k...
I want to get book...
I am glad to accompany you on your learning design journey Gabriele :)...
Hi Musab, The book is free and it is delivered to you by email. Did you well receive it?...
Can I order this book?...
Eu sou do Brasil, e quero aprimorar e aprender mais sobre design. A artes me fascinam...
Hi Adrian, Oops, just saw your messages by chance. :) Please say hello to the team Creapo...
I'm from central California and have an interest in urban design. My goal is to design wal...
Thanks for sharing good information I read this post I really like this article....
I have always been interested in industrail design....
I'm from Japan. The reason I want to learn sketching is because I want to be a product de...
*Cheap*, sorry!...
Because of you I bought A5 Fabriano sketchbook and a couple of cheab BIC roundstick black ...
Thank you for sharing these awesome books for free. I’m from Myanmar. I always intereste...
I saw your Youtube tutorial...
Hi, I got my BA in 2010 at the age of 50. For my final project I wrote a short story and i...
ola a todos. sou do brasil....
brasil....
I was able to find it. Thank you! :)...
I was able to find it. Thank you! :)...
I'm ami from India and I'm looking for best technique and better skill for my design...
Hello! Maybe the beginner guide play hide and seek in the spam folder. Can you have...
Hey, I really appreciate it that you're able to provide beginners a free guide but I still...
Hi Sanjay, Glad to have you on board! You will get tutorials in the upcoming days and we...
A Mechanical product designer by profession learning to draw perspectives and human figure...
My pleasure Zahra. I am always happy to help, and glad you wanna improve. I learned s...
Hi Chou-Tac Chung, im so happy to find you again,my major is Industrial Design but im not ...
Hello Titi, Please thank the person who recommended the book to you. :) Feel free t...
That's an awesome goal you have Ruan! The gaming industry never stops growing. Bravo!...
I'm taking an animation degree and was referred to your book. I caught a glimpse on how to...
i like scathing...
I'm learning myself programming and game development on my own. And I want improve my draw...
I'm glad you enjoy David! By the way, in case you may be interested, the registration...
Hi, Chou-Tac Chung - Just wanted to say hi, and thanks for doing the videos. They're all r...
Estoy feliz porque te gustas la video de tutorial y ayudarte a dibujar las formas del arte...
Excelente contenido para aprender y para enseñar .Muchas Gracias por compartir...
Hey. How to determine in which scene I should be drawing a parallel source of light or a d...
Hi Daniel,  Yah, these days, it is better to rest if you feel any pain from your injur...
Hello I am from Montreal Canada, I've been sketching on and off for a while but more often...
I also hope you will find valuable content on the blog during your journey Deep. You sa...
Hi Stefan, I like your expression of a Chronic overthinker. You can find multiple vid...
Hi :-) hailing all the way from Denmark. I´m getting into portrait drawing and I was hopi...
Hi from Portugal I want to improve my drawings....
Hey, I am a Mechanical engineer, I like solving problems. But I want to explore my care...
Hy I'm Sabareesh, from India, basically I'm a graduate naval architect, who designs ships ...
Hi Mr Smith, I hope you find plenty of content that helps your high-school students....
Mr. Smith from Buffalo, NY I teach high school Architecture. I make every attempt to inc...
Hi i'm Jorge from Colombia and I need to improve my skills...
We can feel your high motivation Ian, awesome!! If you are a beginner, you may try this t...
Hope you find helpful content on the blog Salim :)...
Why the quality of image is decreasing when I'm posting on Instagram?...
Why the image quality decrease when I post it on Instagram?...
iwant improve my draeing...
i want improve my drawing...
I didn’t get a book yet please help me...
I WANT TO CREATE MY DESIGNS...
Hi Deanna, Do you mean the Designer starter kit? It is free. :) You can download ...
how much is the book?...
Hi Kathleen, I'm happy if it can be helpful to your art students. :) Thank you for s...
Great article. I'll share it with my high school art students! I always appreciate your ar...
Keep up Emmanuel! :D It is always worth pursuing what matters to you....
Thank you Chou-Tac. Your words inspire and give me hope....
Welcome on board Javier! :)...
Hello, I am Javier from Spain...
Hey Josh, Thank you for being an inspiration for the Design Sketchbook family and ...
Heck yea! I'm glad my question ended up making it as a full post! Hope it helps others as ...
Hi Asti, (Your name reminds me of a place I visited in Italy, where they produce amazi...
I am an Urban Sketcher and I want to improve my skills...
Hi Summer, Oops sorry for the late reply! Do you mind sending me an email at choutac@t...
I dont udernstant how you drawd your sphere and his shadow its says that you "will create ...
Hello! I’ve always loved to draw, and after observing how a lot of the artists I admire,...
Hi Graham, I do believe in "Quick wins". Basically about giving simple exercises th...
Hi I teach design in high school and I am looking for an easy way to teach my students to ...
Oh yeah, it's not free anymore. It's about 20$. I remember seeing a post from them on Fac...
Congratulation Ana for following your childhood dream. That's a great action you can def...
Avec plaisir Tania! N'hesites pas a partager dans les commentaires du blog, ou m'envoye...
Thank you for sharing Chris about the XP Pen tablet! :)...
Great article, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! I was looking to get a screen...
Bonjour ! Je dessine en autodidacte mais cela fait des années que j'ai arrêté. Donc app...
Thanks for sharing! But Sketchbook is not free anymore for Windows and Mac OS. I use Krit...
Hi, I'm Brazilian, my name is Ana, and i am an frustrated adult how quit drawing as kid be...
Hi, My name is Leon, From Liberia living in Nairobi. I love sketches and would love to lea...
hola yo vivo en Guyana, siempre me ha gustado dibujar, pero necesito mejorar....
hey.. hey,i am form india i love sketching and your words motivate me thank you sir...
Hi Oliver, I am glad you enjoy the drawing tutorials :). Sure, keep going learnin...
Hi, I really like hoe you teach drawing. Some time I started by using some book on techni...
Hi Gordon, It's all my pleasure. I am happy if the blog can help you during your a...
Hi Chou, Just wanted to say thank-you for all the work and wisdom you share. I am 54 a...
Hi! I'm not sure I see the difference between B and C. Are you just resting more lightly...
Soy de la ciudad de méxico, me interesa y me gusta mucho tu forma de exponer cada uno de ...
Soy de la ciudad de méxico, México es mi pais, y me interesa la información de tus libr...
Australia, For self paced learning for my kids at home....
Hello from Brazil! I wanto to learn the sketch to ilistrate n eBook on elkectronics! Best,...
I'm from Portugal. Need to learn more about perspective. Hope your book help me on that. C...
From California. Engineer who wants to learn to quickly sketch product ideas....
Me gusta dibujar desde pequeño y quisiera aprender más....
Yeah! I am happy it helps you refuel your motivation tank! :)...
hey, thanks a lot for this article! i got my college results recently and was feeling do...
am a land surveyor and love designing.......
am a land surveyor and love designing.......
Hello from Hawaii!...
Don here, from Hawaii. Always wanted to be able to draw, looking forward to learn here....
Actually I try to know and learn the systematic technique for sketching. It will help and...
Hi Susan, Thank you for sharing your creative apps selection on iPad. Do you draw ...
Hi there, I've been a professional fine artist for over twenty years. Before that I was a...
My name is Pablo and I'm interested in improving my art skills....
Hi, I'm Julius from Ghana. I've just started drawing and I'm looking for resources online ...
Hello, I have just sent an email to you :)...
I a brazilian and I want to improve my technique...
Is the “37 Secrets of Sneaker Designers'” book still available??? I sent for it, got t...
Hi Chou-Tac! I've been trying to get the book but it's not been sent to my mail, please c...
Hi Gino, Oops! Thanks to you, I realized I forgot to unlock the book delivery. Let ...
Is the "37 Secrets of Sneaker Designers'" book still available??? I sent for it, got the l...
My aim and passion to be designer I'll achieve this surely...
Hello Janet, Yes, the basics are perfect to start sketching the "correct way" as you...
Superb! It's definitely great to explore different styles and methods. :)...
Hi Kamil, As a carpenter, you may like this interview with Guillaume Bouvet. He's a ...
It is my pleasure to share! I also love illustration. Art and design are so interlinked....
Welcome on board Sam! Let me know how it goes, and do not hesitate to leave a comment or...
I'm a self trained set designer Wood worker from Lagos Nigeria Thanks for sharing I real...
Learning to sketch as a hobby and past time....
Hi from Belarus! I'm after illustration. I hope learning to sketch would help me to get i...
Hi! I come from Poland, but I live in Germany, Berlin. I am carpenter and want to learn sk...
Hello my name is Jan, I live in Perth, Western Australia. I am 72 years old and now disabl...
This is a great reminder to half things.. thanks...
I’m design garments and just expanding on sketching....
I’m looking forward to sharpening up my sketching skills for sneaker design. Thank you f...
i Come from Les Baux de Provence. Thé lockdown five me Time to draw and now i love it bu...
Thank you for sharing this with us...
Hi! I live in Mexico. Im arquitech and i want to improve my sketching styale. Thak's for g...
Hi , I’m trying to take my drawing to the next level ....
My name is Chris Richards from Asheville NC and I need to improve my skills to better pres...
I work as illustrator, I'm very curious about design techniques....
I'm from Arizona. I just started teaching myself how to draw because I've always wanted to...
how is you learn design product ?...
M a french student in a design school, i wish that you're book can help me in my work...
I'm from Brazil and sketching is my favorite hobby....
Very enlightening article. Been reading your blog little by little for some time now but ...
I want to crack the nid exam (National institute of designing)I am preparing for the exa...
Thank you so much for making this content and for your fantastic YouTube videos! I hope to...
I want to draw to open my business and as a hobby...
I'm a landscape architect and want to polish up my landscape drawing skills....
I'm theater design student and want to learn more about sketching....
I want to learn how to design for the industry....
I want to learn it so I can design environments for the industry....
Hello, I've tried signing-up several times for the book download, but no success. Nothing...
My major is industrial design. I'm a design sketch teacher. I'd read the book to improve m...
Gostaria de aprender outras técnicas de desenho porque faço Design de Calçados....
Hello Chou-Tac, I am Marina from Serbia. I study graphic design. Thank you for sharing thi...
Oroville, CA I want to learn it so I can design environments for the gaming and film in...
I've always loved drawing but geneRALLY REfused joining a course. I've always wanted to be...
I’m teaching designdraxing myself and want to have indpiration for my lessons...
Sacramento, CA...
I am a student of Design... but my drawing skills never developed well... when I was 12yo...
I want to improve my skills to better support my students when working on sketching design...
I’m learning how to be better at illustrating for animations...
Hi me prem...
Hi, I’m from Singapore. I am a teacher ,teaching design and technology. I want to be a...
I am a Mechanical Engineer. I do a lot of computer drawing every day, but I would like to ...
i want to be a product designer, sketching is the first building blog to be...
I want to learn how you learn how to draw what you see....
I am an art teacher and want to learn from other artists. I work in USA in Washington sta...
I am an art teacher and want to learn from other artists....
Hi Manuela, Yes there are some tutorials about straight lines. You can get them here...
Hi Nadya, I have just send it to you by email :) Chou-Tac...
Tried downloading book nothing happening. Can you please send me a copy. Thanks...
Hi chou-tac I love your videos. I have a question i always drawed feather lines. I am now...
I've always known I have the talent for drawing/sketching plus I love art but I didn't tak...
Well, I want to learn how to sketch so I can be a animator so I can make this animation fo...
I could relate to this post quite a lot. When I was in my third year I found myself questi...
I'm a student in 3D computer graphics for games and film, but want to improve my artistic ...
My pleasure Jan!...
Totally agree Bryan! :)...
Hi Greig, Hope you find plenty of helpful content on the blog. :) Please let me know...
Awesome Albert, Please, let me know how it goes with the students. :)...
Hello Sam, I am glad that you could correct your elbow position when you draw ellipses...
I have been drawing since I was a kid but never took it seriously enough to learn/study ho...
I would like to use the book for students who are having difficulties with drawing. Tha...
Awesome Usamah, It's such a great feeling to solve problems helping people (even if we...
when I studied mechanical engineering, it was very difficult because of the many calculati...
studying product design...
Trying to get back into sketching, I teach high school design technology and am looking fo...
I am a student and a freelancer, looking forward to be very good in design sketching and t...
Hello, I'm from Oklahoma. I'm interested in sketching because there are times words simp...
Thanks for the help and book to help and practice...
Congrats on your choice of the creative path Teertha! I am glad the sketching videos hel...
Just a student interested in design and wanted to know where to start...
Thank you. I'd like to learn to become a better sketcher....
Hello! I am going to apply for master's degree and found your videos to helpful for me....
Hello Richard, I am glad you enjoyed the video tutorial on perspective and found it be...
Hi Chou-Tac, Greetings for the day. My name is Mahendra and I'm from India. I love to dr...
Hi Dev, PLease find my reply on your email. :) See you there! Cheers, Chou-Tac...
Salut Paxon, Bienvenue a bord! Je serais curieux de ce que tu fais pour les scenogra...
I want to sign up for the sneaker sketching course . Vould you help me with that?...
Bonjour! Je viens de lire votre introduction et je voulais vous dire bonjour d’Austin a...
Chou-Tac I went through your 2 point perspective tutorial. You've done an outstanding job...
from Switzerland, Suisse romande, et je parle français, I live near the lake of Neuchâte...
I am a beginner at 68 and want excellent help....
Am darhnyell from Nigeria . I love art and am passionate about it right from childhood...
Hi, i´m glad to meet you, whith us I had the necesary I need learn to draw better. thanks...
Hi, I did not receive the book till now. I am very interested to learn sketching. I am sea...
I want to refine my skills to be the beat artist I can be. Always learning...
Design Technology Teacher Qld Australia teaching Design...
Hi Sandi, You got a great initiative. Handsketching will help you a lot in your journey...
Hi, I'm a product design engineer student. So I would love to be skillful at sketching not...
Hi Uyen, If you use a screen tablet like a iPad or Wacom Cintiq, it gets very similar t...
Hi Matthew, I am glad you enjoy sneaker design so much! I have just finished writing...
Hi Chou-Tac, it's nice to meet you... I came across your website by vigorous researching. ...
I also need to know moreabout technique. I watch video and the Pro Designer is using Ipad ...
Me too. I watch video and the Pro Designer is using Ipad for sketch book, I wonder do we d...
Hi, I studying at Art and design University and I want to learn more about sketching. Than...
I did not get the book. I asked for it Again today....
I checked spam every day but, no, I did not get the book. I asked for it agin today....
Hi Ojo, Happy you are back with your passion for drawing! I have sent an email to you ...
Hello Chou Tac. I'm a former student of yours I started the sketch like the pros course ...
HELLO! I'M GABE. I'M FROM BRASIL. I'M AN ART TEACHER AND UNPROFESSIONAL DESIGNER. I WAN...
WANTED TO LEARN RENDERING TECHNIQUES...
Hi Miguel, I agree, being able to draw the products you have in mind will drastically ...
Hi Alexandra, Your teacher is wise. The world is generous of discoveries! For us t...
Hey Kym, You are totally right, for a concept artist, the key is a good understanding ...
Hello Aquilla, Glad to see you here and explore how to keep improving your art skills....
Hi Andreas, The book is sent to your email. Did you receive it?...
Thanks Praveen, I am glad it helps you!...
That i s great you go back to your passion. Your ideas and concepts will definitely take...
Thank you for the update Michelle. I am glad you received it. Sometimes email like t...
I was able to download it today using a non-gmail account. I put in a temporary email and ...
These tips and tricks are so amazing and easy to follow. Great explanation of drawing sket...
Hi, I am from India and wanted to learn to sketch because currently whatever I am thinking...
To the ones who didn't get the book, i tried with some diferent mail accounts and i only c...
I’m a Production Engineer, I need to be required basic drawing skills....
Hi, I'm Michelle from the US and I am unsure what direction to take when it comes to studi...
Thank you, Great method's; and very professional....
i love sketching but never was good at it....
Have tried to get the workbook several times but not received it via email. Can you please...
Hi, I'm Daniel. I'd like to design sneakers also but I don't know where to start. I've see...
i dont think there are a lot of design studios in turkey...
Hi there, This is Summer from the XP-Pen team, I am reaching out for a cooperation cha...
I am studying Design and Technology teaching at University and I need to learn how to draw...
Hello, from the US. I've always loved drawing and doodling as a kid. Drawing allowed me to...

Categories

The designer starter kit chou tac chung
Sneaker sketch book chou tac chung

I used to be crazy afraid to talk in public.
While it is so essential for a designer to communicate verbally
to defend and promote our own projects.

I remember at my design school.

When I had to talk in front of my classmates, it was so intimidating.
I knew it was a training to get prepared for the real world of industrial designers though.

I was terrible at public speaking at the start. I was super anxious.

Jury
When you feel people are here to judge you

You know, it is like: “More you worry, more you think about failing your presentation… visualizing the shame… alone in front of so many eyes judging you…”

And it was like a never-ending vicious circle.
More you think about it, more you panic… -.-U Damn !!

“The awesomeness of your project won’t matter…
if  it can’t be understood.”

An industrial designer needs both:
Visual and Verbal presentation skills.

In my design school, we trained our oral presentation.
We had more than 20 presentations per year!


Shy kid in front of the class
You cant hide behind your notes

If you are shy and introverted, don’t worry there are solutions.
Introvert people can be great speakers! (Steve Jobs, Bill Gates… )


You can be introverted and excel in presentation too!

Let me help you share with you what I learned over the years.
Here we go for the series of TIPS!
(I keep the most important TIP for the last one.)


Show and tell confidence public presentation
Actually it is fun

TIP 1 / Show & Tell !

In France, we don’t really learn about public speaking.
(even though we can debate for hours at dinner time :p ).

In the US, kids learn to talk in public at school with the Show and Tellsexercice.
For me, I had to learn that public speaking skills at 22 years old!
Hehe. It is never too late to start!

Now it is also your turn!
Choose a sketch you did, and talk about it to your friends.
It will be a great start!


Remember,
no matter how good at sketching you are,
a designer’s job has a lot about communication skills.

The best projects are not always the ones that win.
But the ones that are perceived like it. 


Like How Michael DiTullo shared with us in his video interview on the blog, what is the most difficult is not creating your project. But to protect it. I invite you to click here to watch Michael DiTullo and myself’s video design interview :).

Michael ditullo x chou tac chung design interview the design sketchbook


Authenticity

TIP 2 / BE AUTHENTIC

People who lack confidence tend to play a role. Trying to hide their weakness – worrying the audience may judge them and throw tomatoes to them.

However, most designers from any level I met are caring – and support students.
I don’t think an industrial designer can be evil bullying the youth.
It doesn’t make sense to me.

“If you do mistakes, it is all fine. You are human.
People don’t expect you to be perfect, but authentic. Be humble.”

Humility and authenticity win in the long run.
Remaining yourself will attract people with whom you match with. 🙂

Imagine you play a role of someone pretentious, and end in a company where everyone has to show off… If you are an introvert, it may drive you crazy soon!

When you have to present your portfolio at a design job interviews,
you don’t need to “Hard sell your project”.

People who welcome you are professionals.
Tell them how much you love helping people
through Industrial design – making a better world.

It can be seen in your work, understood in your words, but also felt in your voice.

So, keep your natural personality and sincerity.
That’s the most straight forward and natural way to succeed.


Brightside slow down your speaking flow

TIP 3 / SLOW DOWN

If you feel nervous, you may speak (too) fast and lose clarity.
If you lose people till they space out.
You will be like doing a monologue with no flavor…

A trick is to take a breath slowly from your nose,
and exhale slowwwwly. with your mouth. Repeat 3 to 4 times.

It will slow down your heart rhythm and speaking flow.
It is a great stress reliever.

When you speak slowlier, it gives you more time to think of your next move in advance when it is needed – or better observe people’s reactions if you wanna create interaction with them.

Avoid a monotonous tone of voice. Add in emotion in your sentence that expresses your passion and how much pleasure you had to create and deliver your project!

You are the maestro.
Your speech is like music people want to listen to.


Pause by jozzephineTIP 3 / PAUSE

If you forget your pitch, make a little pause. It is ok.

People will see you as a wise person whose thinking.
While you are trying to remember your next sentence or topic. That’s normal. 🙂


Personal notes on paper

TIP 4 / Bring personal notes

Sometimes I bring some notes on a sheet of paper
that is not bigger than my hand.

Even though I realize I rarely use them.
I feel safer and comfortable just having them on hand.

Take handwritten notes instead of printed.
Your visual memory will spot the information you need faster
than from a computer typo.

If you carry multiple sheets of paper, write the page number on it.
Plus, you can use the colour code. Using a symbol or write with different pen colors to identify various topics or importance levels.


Embrace questions for your presentation

TIP 5 / Embrace questions

If a jury is asking you questions.
Don’t feel afraid of them. Embrace them.

They don’t want to trick you.
If they love your project, they will love to ask you questions to know more!

Questions rarely come in the middle of a presentation.
So don’t worry if you don’t get any before your conclusion.

A jury that ask you questions are interested in you.
So it is a great thing !

I invite you to initiate the dialogue at the end of your presentation.
Ask them if they do have questions, and that you are happy to answer.

The best is when the Q&A session becomes a discussion –
like when the jury even start to talk to each other as well.


Women smile presentation project

TIP 6 / SMILE !

People will love to get your positivity.
Seeing you will be like receiving the warmth of a spring sunray.

We smile because we are happy right?
But, if you (deliberately) smile, the brain also gets happy!
The smile will sweeten your voice and give an extra boost of energy!


Create eye contact for your presentation at design school office or interviewsTIP 7 / Eye contact

A trick to avoid people get distracted,
make eye contact with your public.

Once in a while during your speech,
chose a person and make an eye contact with him/her for 2 to 3 seconds.

Redo the same with an other person. They will feel special.
Replace your shyness by taking care of your audience.


Ten shin han dragon ball z rd eye

TIP 8 / The 3rd eye contact

If you feel shy to look at people’s eyes,
imagine a 3rd eye on the forehead of people. And look at this one.

It will be easier for you to look there when you address them : )


Simplicity

TIP 9 / Use simple words

The best way to lose people is to use complicated words.
If you need to use jargon, explain it.
Do not assume everyone knows about its definition.

Think of you are talking to a 5 years old kid or your grandmother.
That will make sure you gather all your audience’s attention and comprehension.

(Trying to look like an expert using purposely complicated words doesn’t work.)


Push ups

TIP 10 / Be pumped!

I like to stretch myself before a presentation.
Some people jump or even do push-ups!

That extra flow of blood pumped by your heart will give you
that high energy to share with all.

And you might know about working overnight on your project, you may have panda eyes. But it is ok. Give your project the last shot, and give your best!

Tonight then, you’ll sleep early and happy.


Supporters handsTIP 11 / Make your “enemy” your ally

Of course, there are no literal enemies there.
However, some faces may appear severe or stoic.
Don’t worry.

They often hide a melted heart. Their skin maybe just a bit thicker.
If you convince them of your project, they will be your best supporters!

If you are looking to improve your social skills, you can join some networking events with friends.


Screen shot at

TIP 12 / MOST IMPORTANT: STORYTELLING

I end this article with the most important TIP here which is about telling a story.

When I was in my design school, there were two types of presentation:

  • A: The “soporific” one
  • B: The fascinating one!

Don’t start your presentation with:

  • “Product manual user”
  • Functions
  • Technical description
  • Complicated jargon
  • Shows endless graphics and pie charts

The soporific presentation is like a “User manual”…

For example : This driller is the fastest in the world thanks to the XXXXX technology properties that allows it to turn at XX tour/minutes.

Starting by how it works is boring.
Because you didn’t give any reason yet to people to follow you.

The “user manual” approach is the best way to lose your audience’s attention.
You don’t want their little voice in their head say: So what?

The fascinating presentation starts with:

  • Starts with people (the users) in mind
  • Value
  • Benefits
  • Needs
  • Mood boards
  • In other words, show how you help the target users’ life!

A successful presentation tells a story!


Remember of Steve Jobs.

He didn’t call the iPod as “–Gb of memory device”. It talked about the hours of music, you can carry in your pocket! The experience matter. Not technology.

That is what resonate in people: Talk to their heart.

For example:

(I start with the user)
I’m creating for professionals workers building sky high tower.
They have a high productive expectation and tight deadlines.

(Problem)
They are proud of their job. Quality and safety is essential for them.
But they feel stressed by the intense rhythm of work.

(Danger)
It is physical and the daily exhaustion may drive to accidents.
Which can be a danger for the workers, the construction.

(Official stats)
Every year, there is xxx accident that could be avoid if only…
Source : “Official source”

(Goal)
I’m looking for a way to keep that high standard rate of construction, yet increasing safety for the workers. (I didn’t say: “My goal is to make the fastest driller ever.”)

(Benefit)
With the driller (or alternative product you’ll create) the workers get things done earlier, with precision and no rush.  (I didn’t say : “The benefit is to have a fast driller.”)

(Inspiration and innovation)
Inspired by the woodpecker, we reinvent the driller by an apparel to fix on the wall and that auto drill.

(Explanation)
Instead of having a heavy driller, the worker carry a set of 2 to 3 “woodpecker apparel” on hiss belt. Fix them on the walls and these auto drill themselves with the preconfigured parameters. All the hole made are exactly the same and reduce the % of the human factor error. 

(Result)
The worker can now focus more are the quality of his work than trying to rush the quantity of work done.

He doesn’t need any body strength to drill hundreds of holes on concreate per day anymore. No more back ache carrying heavy tools.

They can go home earlier and every day safer.


Make your design school your laboratory.

A designer is in the middle of an eco-system where you have to convince and talk to multiple departments from the Research & Development to the users.

I hope you see how important it is to improve your public speaking skills.
With that, you will dare to be more ambitious.
As you will gather the whole company team support!

(Feel free to share with me your experience in the comments
or send me an email at choutac@thedesignsketchook.com.
I would love to hear your stories. 🙂 )

Chou-Tac

Hello! I am a Product Designer from France.

If the sketching methods I’ve acquired aid me in my life and in my industrial design career, I believe that they can also help you reach your design goal as a student or professional.

My aim is to help you all along with your design projects and journey!

Leave a comment in the blog or send me an email at choutac@thedesignsketchbook.com : )

Chou-Tac

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