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


Ready to take your first step toward becoming an artist or a designer?
These 7 essential tips on how to draw can instantly get you on the right track!
Let’s start drawing now!

This morning, Kavita (Seattle, Washington) sent me a message.
She loves sketching and dreams of her own footwear business!

Her husband bought a little sketchbook and a pencil for her as a present.
She would love sketching daily on it.
But she doesn’t really know how to start, and she feels fear of failing. 😱

You know what?
She is not alone.

Most novice artists or designers face it and stagnate sometimes for years or forever… and never accomplish anything much.

Do you want to get rid of that sticky toxic feeling and start sketching daily as well?
If yes, stay with me. We’ll get rid of some “fake news” about drawing.

How to start drawing

As I wrote back to Kavita to give her some insights, I started to talk soo much!
My girlfriend said: “Classic Chou-Tac” Haha!

I decided to share the DESIGN SKETCHING TIPS I gave her with the whole Design Sketchbook family too.
As we are all together beginners and expert sketchers on the same boat.

(Whenever you face an obstacle or got any questions about drawing, design, or creativity…, send me an email. I am always happy to read your messages and help you. You can send me your questions at choutac@thedesignsketchbook.com)


7 Creative Ideas for Starting Out As a Novice Artist

  1. Draw on your sketchbook’s first page now!
  2. Keep your sketchbook private
  3. Capture your ideas like Pokemons!
  4. Mix ideas to create new ideas
  5. Learn with baby-steps
  6. Draw with a kid mindset!
  7. Start drawing many crappy doodles!


No, a Sketchbook is not about drawing a piece of art.

Skeaker sketch on hypersketch beata test choutac the design sketchbook rough a
a messy nike sneaker sketch testing the app hypersketch from <a href=httpswww Stuck Sg title=httpswww Stuck Sg target= blank rel=noreferrer noopener>stuck design<a> team to be released soon

Facing the fear of failure is about dealing with our sense of perfection.
We worry we can’t keep up with the expectation.
We compare ourselves to others and are worried others would judge us.

So we find plenty of reasons to sabotage ourselves, and fake news tends to win our creative minds.
Today, let’s demystify them with these 7 TIPS to empower your mind with positivity!

Remember, more often than you think, imperfection is beautiful.

Skeaker sketch on hypersketch beata test choutac the design sketchbook
I was helping my friend don from stuck test his upcoming sketching app made for designers

TIP 1

DRAW ON YOUR SKETCHBOOK FIRST PAGE NOW!

At the art shop, you buy a sketchbook. You feel excited!
But when you are back home, your hand is paralyzed to start drawing on the first page.

  • “What to draw on it?”
  • “It will be the first thing we see.”
  • “It got to be good!”
  • “I can’t mess it up.”

Do you know, the first step is the hardest?

It is not about physical difficulty, but actually a mental block we give to ourselves.
(And I am glad Kavita told me she did her first sketch of a shoe with one of my video tutorials :).

As soon as you start, you will be out of the starting block to keep up moving and practicing!

Kavita first sketch message
Kavitastelling me about her first sketch
Pencil start drawing
Dare to start drawing

My recommendation is:

  • Don’t buy an expensive sketchbook as a beginner, or don’t make it precious.
  • You could even start with individual laser paper for printers, you could attach it with staples to make a notebook.
  • No matter the format, a sketchbook is a place you feel good drawing in.
  • It is your personal and intimate refuge for your ideas. A place your imagination feels cozy like home.

Remember, your good and bad thoughts and drawings are all welcome inside.


TIP 2

KEEP YOUR SKETCHBOOK PRIVATE

You saw crazy good videos of sketchbooks on Youtube.
You feel impressed and overwhelmed at the same time.

Remember, these drawings are the tip of the iceberg.

To get there, artists and designers draw a lot more on spare paper or research sketchbooks. These for years.
And they don’t show them to you. (And that’s totally fine)

Pexels photo
Start drawing without looking for others approbation

My recommendation as a beginner is:
Do not start your sketchbook by making it “public” in mind.

You will release stress.
And you won’t be worried to mess up.

You will be yourself.

Use the videos of the artists and designers you love to inspire you and lift your ambition up.
Try to see what you like in diverse creators and import this stuff into your own sketchbook to study them.

You will create your own style.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not telling you to hide your sketches. I am just saying that we shouldn’t be slaves of social media (or anyone’s opinion). These are “just” communicating tools you could use to document your journey or show your best creations as a portfolio.

You decide what to show, and what to keep private. You are in control.


TIP 3

COLLECT YOUR IDEAS LIKE POKEMON!

Bad ideas, genius ideas, strange ideas… all deserve to board in your sketchbook.
Collect a variety of any kind of ideas like how you would “catch Pokemons”! 😛

Capturing ideas is a game you play daily to build a giant library of inspiration.

An idea can come up anytime!

If you don’t capture it on a temporary spare paper or your sketchbook,
there is a high chance you will forget it back home or design office.

You will remember you had a great idea, but can’t record what… 🤦

Pexels photo
Collect your ideas like pokemons

My recommendation is:

  • Bring your sketchbook and pen anywhere you go with you.
  • If a sudden idea pops up, do not hesitate to stop what you are currently doing (walking in a shopping mall, cooking, chatting with friends, gardening…), and draw. Your ideas matter.
  • A sketchbook reveals your own path, your progression.
    You could archive your sketchbooks in months or years.
  • Drawing is a lifelong journey, and we all start as a beginner. Right?
    So let’s make plenty of “ugly drawings”! They are so much better and more fun than nothing!
  • Soon, you will compile thousands of daily sketches in plenty of your sketchbooks.

TIP 4

MIX IDEAS TO CREATE NEW IDEAS

Design is mostly about linking ideas together.
Sometimes, we could have a simple idea, that weeks later we may connect to another one, and they come up to be awesome!

Ratatouille mix flavours
I often have this image in mind of ratatouille rat from the <a href=httpwww Pixar Com data type=url data id=www Pixar Com target= blank rel=noreferrer noopener>pixar<a> animation when he eats a strawberry + cheese a firework appears

My recommendation is:

  • Love wasting your time.
  • Draw without the intention to make anything useful or awesome.
  • Most drawings you do will be “useless” in the long run.
    However, you can’t predict which ones!
  • Creativity is also about quantity.
    To raise your chances to create super cool projects is to draw a lot, even if you don’t really know what to do with them on the spot.
  • You want to gather data for you to dig in later, which will make sense one day in a new and matched context. To provoke ideas, I invite you to try the “What if” creative technique.
    What if we combine X + Z?

TIP 5

MAKE BABY STEPS

As a beginner, when we have big goals we also see giant mountains to get there, while we should focus on climbing step by step smaller mountains.

To accomplish something big, you need to split the tasks into many bite-size drawing lessons. So you raise your sense of accomplishment and feel solid progression.

Start climbing a tiny and flat plain first.
No one started with Mont Everest!

Pexels photo
Learn step by step with the basics

My recommendation is:

  • Start learning with the foundation of drawing with perspective, proportion, simple forms like cubes, cylinders, and spheres… without them you will be only able to copy at best.
  • Learning how to draw is not difficult when it is explained simply in small steps. You will feel a sensation of achievement and keep going up with motivation.
  • With guidance, you will learn how to “get out of the labyrinth” easily.

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TIP 6

Draw with a kid mindset

Be curious, and excited! Be childish!
When you learn drawing, you jump from discoveries to discoveries like a child in a candy shop!

Each candy will be a sketching tip:

  • a new app to sketch on,
  • a new creative technique to draw in perspective,
  • a new way to give your sketch a greater look,
  • a better composition visual trick,
  • a new digital way to add shadow…

You’ll want to try them all! 
You will get better and better at becoming a “candy expert”.

Pexels photo
You are allowed to try everything you like

My recommendation is:

Try new stuff, even if they look tough!
You may fail now, as you may not be ready yet. It’s fine!

Because your brain got to record something you like.

However, make sure to learn with a good foundation in parallel for a solid progression.


TIP 7

START DRAWING MANY CRAPPY DOODLES

When a designer has an idea, he doesn’t aim to draw a nice sketch at the beginning.
Why? Because it would slow his productivity and creativity down.

Imagine you have thousands of ideas and spend 2 hours on each. It wouldn’t make sense right?

A designer doodles plenty of crappy drawings to drop his ideas on paper fast. 
Later on, you will have all the time to select the ones you want to refine, or further develop.

When you work as a design professional, you need to follow a certain creative path to present your projects. Drawing ugly is the first stage.

Pexels photo
Enjoy drawing no matter how crappy the outcome

My recommendation is:

  • Think Productivity.
    As a designer, you will need to deliver your projects within tight deadlines.
  • Crappy doodles help you draw as if you would make a draft for a letter, or a mindmap.

Conclusion

  • Don’t focus on the end result, but your own happiness you get at drawing, making, innovating…!
    Progress will come along.
  • Love making mistakes, and focus on the value you wanna bring to the world.
    People who relate to you will sense it and become your raving fans!
    Soon, your fear of failure which is inner-centered will be replaced by the generosity of giving. 

All these may sound utopic.

However, I believe as a designer-entrepreneur, genuine and wonderful energy is what will bring success and happiness!

Cheers,
Chou-Tac

PS: Below I invite you to discover my student Antonio from my course Sketch Like The Pros,
sharing with you 21 tips to make a designer’s sketchbook. (Click the picture to watch the video)

drawing tips on how to make a designer sketchbook tips aferolombrada
My student Antonio gave you 21 tips to make a designer sketchbook

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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