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

How fast do your skills in Design progress?

  • As you know, there is no “magic miracle” that will make you become a great designer in a day.
  • However, there are solutions to reach your goal and rise your level much faster.”
  • Let me share with you 12 Tips to speed up your progress that I discovered when I was a student myself.

I hope they will be helpful to you – as you can apply them from your first day at school.


tips to progress faster in design school the design sketchbook

Erwan is an upcoming student Product Designer.
And he’s looking for how to progress Faster as a Student Designer.

He’s from France, 20 years old, and will join soon
the ISD Rubika design school at Valencienne (in France).

He asked me:

How to Speed Up Your Design Progress as a Student | 12 Tips

  1. Dream big, grow big!
  2. Fight your fear
  3. Draw with ugly doodles!
  4. Cut down your phone distraction
  5. Draw anything you love!
  6. Get inspired
  7. Feel stressed? Draw with fun like a kid!
  8. Learn your sketching fundamentals ASAP
  9. Compete with your classmates
  10. Learn graphic design / visual communication
  11. Let your ideas divagate
  12. Think benefit. Not technology.

“Hey Erwan,

Your question is pretty interesting.
You have not started your program yet, and you look for getting better by yourself.

  • By not waiting for your future teacher’s instructions, you show that you are proactive. Well done!
  • Being proactive in the design industry is one of the top qualities needed to succeed!
  • You told me you will leave your hometown to study in another city. Awesome!

It seems that nothing can stop you! 🙂


12 TIPS to Progress Faster as a Student Designer

1. DREAM BIG, GROW BIG

Dream big

Your design degree is not your ultimate goal.

It is important. But there is something else that matters a lot more: Your design portfolio.

Imagine 2 fresh students having both zero skills.

  • They study at the same school and both will be graduated.
  • On paper, there is no difference.
  • However, if you look closer: One will progress like a rocket, enjoy and get hired before his graduation day, while the other may still struggle with his portfolio.

A degree does not prove much. Your portfolio does.

Don’t target passing your degree. (That should be just the minimum required)
If you want to become a great designer, dream of a much bigger goal!

Think of getting ready for what will happen next after your school. There, you will on your own. Complete your school projects as if they were real. And give your best. The results will follow.

Do not hesitate to do things that the school doesn’t ask you to do. 
That’s how day by day, you’ll get closer to your dream goal.

Sometimes, joining a company you love may look impossible.

  • It would be too good to be true!
  • A little voice says…You feel not being good enough.
  • That’s a normal feeling. But remember, if you do nothing, it will for sure be impossible.

You may want to create your own design agency to contribute to the world.
If you don’t know yet how to, that’s fine!

“As long as you pursue that shiny star that attracts you”.

Dare to dream big.

On the days you feel a bit moody.
Spend a few minutes on what makes you thrill as a future designer! And imagine yourself in a few years. 🙂

(I remember dreaming of joining Adidas.
It felt impossible, people who were better than me didn’t have this chance.
I persevered, and one day I was invited to join them in Germany as a Footwear designer)

“Target the moon and you will reach the stars”

But how to know if your dream is big enough?
I can’t tell as everyone is unique.
But what I know is that if your dream does not intimidate you, it’s not big enough.

Your job is to challenge the impossible to get what you need.

Example of a dream from a young student designer, in INDIA:
Create affordable wheelchairs for disabled people in their home country.
He wants to contribute to making his country better. 


2. FIGHT YOUR FEAR

Screen shot atFear is what will make you procrastinate and slow you down. 
  • Because of fear, you may stagnate for a day, a week, or even for years.
  • Fear is a natural feeling you should not deny but learn how to tame it.

“Even though you are scared to do something, just do it.”

Think of a Diving pool.
  • Some will jump and get it done, survive, redo and carry on getting better!
  • They realize it was not as tough as they thought
  • So they get ready to dive again! And progress, and progress!

Some will laugh at your initial stage of fear.

  • That’s ok. Everyone started as a beginner.
  • And you won’t let your fear stop you. Because you have a plan. 
By going out of your comfort zone often, your brain will associate Obstacles with Opportunities for progress.
That’s how soon, you will love taking on new challenges!
 
Remember:
Courage is not the absence of fear.
It’s feeling fear, and still doing what you need to.
 

3. DRAW WITH UGLY DOODLES!

Ugly doll
Here is a common mistake from beginners.
We admire great designers, and we try to do the same, but after hours and days of practice trying to imitate them, we keep failing and give up!
 

Be proud of your ugly doodles!
They are the ones who will help you get results.

If you wanna reach that level faster, you got to go through the fundamentals of sketching. One of the top rules is to start your creative sketching sessions with ugly doodles.
  • Keep doodling! Keep failing! Repeat…!
  • That’s the daily creative process of a designer.
  • Sketching is like sculpture. It’s something you refine along the way.

Here is a creative example of “doodling for professionals”.

 

4. Cut down your phone distraction

Phone zombie

A good way to increase your skills faster is to eliminate daily tasks and distractions.

  • I would recommend you stop watching TV,
  • Stop browsing your Facebook feed like a zombie
  • Reaching your email only once a day will do.
  • Don’t play games and shut down your phone notification, especially from social media
    (Keep only the important notification from people you care about the most).

Don’t let your phone and apps dictate what you should do. 

  • I am not saying you should totally suppress these distractions from your life.
  • But remove them from your daily habits.
  • You will become much more productive and focus on your passion.
 
For example, instead of looking at your phone in the subway,
why not get a pen and sketch things and people around you?
 
Try to replace your “passive” time with creative time and draw things around you.
 

5. Draw anything you love!

Love heart shadow passion
 
 
Any design student will be overwhelmed by the projects given at school.
 
Keep drawing and even though you study Product design, learn from other fields such as fashion, architecture, plants, cars, comics, manga, anatomy…!
 
You don’t have to become a specialist for each,
but what you will gain will influence your style and will benefit you in becoming unique as a designer.

Start with what you enjoy the most.

If you wonder what to draw:
There is an infinity of things to explore.
 
And you may wonder:
Where should you start? Simple.
 
Start with what you enjoy the most.
  • Do you like manga? Go study manga!
  • It’s gonna help you in your product design too!
  • You might surprise yourself.
    You could create a Manga sketching style for your product design project!
  • Suddenly you realize your portfolio is full of projects that nobody has ever done before!
  • By tapping into your personal interest, you become “unique”.
  • This is what will make you desirable as a designer and non-replaceable.
 

6. Get inspired

Celia calle vertigo
Celia calle vertigo

Browse and spot designers you feel inspired. If they have a sketching style you admire, study them.

Steal their techniques and mix them up!

  • Once again, don’t hesitate to explore other fields of art.
  • I personally enjoy Celia Calle who is a fashion Illustrator.
  • She also did comics cover for Marvel.
  • I admire her lines and worked on importing her feel into my product design sketches.

7. Feel stressed? Draw with fun like a kid!

Celia calle
Celia calle illustration
 
You will meet stressful situations at school and you are gonna be affected.
At these moments, remember to have fun!
 
Step back, and remind yourself that becoming a designer is what makes you happy.
Let me share with you a simple trick to help you relax:
  • Pause your work for a few seconds
  • Adjust your body posture to be straight
  • Inhale deeeeeply from your nose and exhale slowwwwly from your mouth.
  • And smile. 🙂

Your brain is gonna be fulfilled with happy chemistry that will relax you instantaneously.


8. Learn your drawing fundamentals ASAP

Quick map sketching fundamentals

A common mistake is to believe that your Design school will teach you whatever you need to perform.
 
Each school’s philosophy and organization are pretty much unique but don’t expect to get everything you need whenever you need it. No matter how expensive is your school. Try to do not to feel “entitled”.
 
No system is perfect. 
 
From that standpoint, don’t waste time complaining but be grateful for what you have and keep doing your best! So you keep moving forward.
 
 

9. Compete with your classmates

Turbo snail race
Turbo snail race

You will meet a lot of new friends and will get affinity with some of them.
Learn from who are better than yourself.

Remember, if you want to grow faster:
Make sure you are not the best in your group.

Join people who are better than you. So you can learn.

Surround yourself with friends who love competition!
And you will cheer you guys up, and always try to be the one to figure out things first.
Share your discoveries, and all of you will keep growing together.
 
Don’t be ashamed of asking: “Hey, how did you do that?”
 

 10. Learn graphic design / visual communication

Fruit packaging

A great project deserves a great presentation to be appreciated as its whole value!

When I was a student, we realized that as Product designers, we had to study visual communication too.
Our ideas had to be visually promoted.

Study people’s presentations and try to extract the best of them.
Don’t hesitate to study magazines, brochures, posters, packaging… Study their composition, color codes, and fonts and spot what is working for them… so you can import them into your work.


11. Let your ideas divagate

Dream balloon moon

A good way to get results faster is to keep thinking about design daily. 
Use your imagination even when your teacher has no project for you. 
 
  • Do you brush your teeth? Think design.
  • Do you drive your car? Think design
  • Do you go shopping? Think design.
For example, when I’m in bed closing my eyes before sleeping,
I enjoy letting go my imagination free. I make stories in my mind. And ideas link together. 
 

Guessing game:

At day time, I also like to play at “guessing people’s story” just by observing their outfit, body posture, facial expression… old people’s face wrinkles could tell if they had a “smily life” or not.
 
This applies to people but also to objects, architecture, monuments…
 
Not far away from my home town, there is an old house having holes in the walls.
They come from the impact of bullets from World War II.
 
When you see something,
try to see what’s the hidden details from the past and guess their story.
 

12. Think benefit, not technology

Starck quote

A common mistake is to take a new technology and start thinking about what you could do with it.
It’s not wrong, but I could not say it’s right though.
 
  • As a designer, your priority is to create for people.
  • They are your main source of inspiration.
  • Ask yourself what problem you could solve, and how you can improve their life.
  • Then only explore which technology best fit your objective.
 
Watch designer interviews you can find on Youtube or Netflix
Work on improving your designer mindset and absorb the good vibes.
 
I have a special admiration for Philippe Starck and Patrick Jouin.
 
 

 
That’s all that comes to my mind now.
If you have any tips that can help improve faster, please tell me in the comments!
 
See you for the next article and tutorial!
 
Take care.
Chou-Tac
 
Erwan isd rubika valacenciennes question designer produit
Erwans email is in french as i am too

Testimonial of the day from Olivia Pan:

  • I enjoyed your course and it was immensely helpful for me to get started drawing.
  • It helped build up my confidence and overcome the self-talk about ugly sketches :).
  • I didn’t realize how hard it was to get started.
  • I had spent money on books, and local community college classes, but your course + kind feedback was the thing that helped me get through! 

Olivia pan testimonial sketch like the pros

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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10 comments

Leave a comment or question

  • hey, thanks a lot for this article!
    i got my college results recently and was feeling down. this helped me get motivated again! 😀

  • Whoaa this is very helpful for me. Been studying for 3 years yet still hard for me to understand how to progress my skills faster. I can understand your method easily, like “Oh, so that’s what should I do!”

    Looking forward to next tips and guides, I still need to learn more.

    And again, thank you 🙂

  • Hey Chou Tac,

    Thanks a lot for your answer, it’will really help me !

    You allow me to understand how to fight my fears and to progress for
    achieve my dreams.

    Thanks again

    Erwan

  • I really like how you dig to find essentialistic approach in what you learn/work/do. This is how i’m living to. This 12 is really working tips. All of them are must have for everyone not only rookies 🙂 Good one 🙂

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