Instagram is an amazing tool to publish your work online and get feedback,
but especially likes and followers.

You gain exposure, you gain popularity.

It’s to me great,
but there is another side of the coin
if you let yourself get hypnotized
by these “virtual numbers of glory”.
 
It may affect your long term results
and confidence facing procrastination.
 

Someone has just shared with me about Derek Sivers saying how good having “useless leisure” can be beneficial. It’s to me like a revelation reminding me of the importance of slowing down.

Practicing a leisure in a useless way means do not expect any result except enjoying the present moment.

I realize that posting pictures on Instagram can be both a motivation factor, but also a procrastination factor as well. When you discover Instagram, you start posting  1 or 2 of your stuff for the sake of sharing only.

Then, come the moment where you get your first dozen viewers, likes, followers, and start being hypnotized by these virtual numbers of popularity. You end sketching only toward getting these numbers rising.

When they are lower than usual, you start doubting yourself. : /

Don’t let Instagram dictate your genuine creativity

Remember that ON TOP of anything, you should sketch for your own pleasure:

  • For the innocent and magical moment when you sketch facing yourself only. Like my friend Roy Pallas says: “when you sketch till your mind goes into that bubble” where nothing else counts.
  • Not for that moment of virtual glory toward getting the max of likes or viewers. There is nothing wrong with it. It’s a competition. And that’s just a different game. Ok? :)
See also  Unlock Your Creative Potential with the LEGO Block Technique

“Useless sketching” is how you can reconnect with yourself, your feelings without caring about others and results.

No expectation. No pressure.

There is nothing else to gain than your own love for sketching.

I personally enjoy concept art, so I draw whatever I like exploring new stuff. A new way of sketching. New forms. And I draw for fun. Then only I think about Instagram. That’s the only way I could get the patience of exploring these tiny details and truly taking care of my drawing.

The-Design-Sketchbook-Darren-Quach-inspiration

When you keep looking only for performance, it may just stop you from learning what you love.

If you love manga, urban sketching, watercolors, sculpting and you are in a design school. Continue to explore these art fields in parallel with design sketching. All techniques are related anyway!

Know how to sketch with simple love.
You will slowly go into a state of relaxing meditation.

I tell my students:
@Nestergen Kun you love manga, I invite you to look for bridges with product design sketching.
@Lucas, you like drawing space.
How about exploring urban sketching style or concept art.
@David, you are super good at sneakers, you do great widening your horizon in products. Import your lines!
@Mika, for your 15-day sketching challenge, you may try drawing stuff that is not industrial if you want to. (Remember the challenge is drawing from 15 different places! )…

Merging what you love and design sketching will help you become the unique designer you are. And not a replica of another one.

My advice is:
Sketch learning with tutorials to get results, progress.

But also sketch for no reason than simply enjoying it.
You will release the pressure and won’t be affected by perfectionism.

See also  Concept Art| Collaboration with my friend Adrien Wira

So you keep will going even though imperfect

Conclusion

The essence of artistic expression, particularly in design sketching, should focus on personal satisfaction and the joy of creating, rather than seeking approval through social media metrics like likes or followers. 

Draw for Yourself, Not for Social Media Approval highlights that the real value of your work comes from your passion and creativity, not from external validation.

While platforms like Instagram can help you connect with others and get inspired, they shouldn’t determine how good your sketches are. Instead, focus on:

  • Improving Yourself: Drawing regularly helps you get better and gives you a way to express yourself.
  • Being True to You: Your unique style makes your art special. Keep it real to keep your art a true reflection of who you are.
  • Enjoying the Process: Remember the fun of drawing from your childhood when creating was for the love of it, not for likes.

Your journey in product design sketching should be about your love for the craft, wanting to learn, and the joy of bringing your ideas to life. Let your own satisfaction with your art guide your path, not the temporary praise from social media.

This way, you keep the heart of your work intact and make sure your artistic journey is rewarding and true to why you started drawing in the first place.

Have a nice sketching day !!
Cheers,
Chou Tac

PS: Don’t get me wrong. Ego is a great motivation factor. But there is time to tame it down and sketch with humility.

PSS: There is an extra benefit. You will naturally sketch more often and actually progress even faster.  (Butt chuutt, that does not matter here. :P )

3 comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello! I'm Chou-Tac, 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 dream goal as a student or professional designer.

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

Chou-Tac

Trending

Last comments

  • Jarul Thakur: “I’m an international student from India, currently in my first year studying interior design in Malaysia. I truly believe that…Jul 12, 00:17
  • BSwin: “This post is super helpful! The Random Product Technique sounds like a fun way to spark creativity and break through…Jul 11, 02:36
  • Mark Thompson: “I m 59 South African I love drawing but have bad habits. I want to start from scratch as though…Jul 9, 17:04
  • Mark Thompson: “I m 59 I love drawing but have bad habits. I want to start from scratch as though I am…Jul 9, 17:03
  • Sam Grosjean: “Pensacola, FL 22 years old I want to bring my ideas and imagination to paper. I did a Google search.Jul 8, 19:46
  • Jo: “Hi, Australia, 50, Im looking for a new hobby, I remember loving to draw when I was younger So hoping…Jul 8, 17:35
  • Spencer: “Austin, TX 50 yrs old I want a way to bring my creations to life I found your blog searching…Jul 8, 10:44
  • Chou-Tac: “I just replied in your email Dion. :)Jul 6, 17:02
  • Dion Lee Uren: “My days are short, I have bowl cancer & before I part this earth always loved to draw muscle cars…Jul 6, 16:28
  • Rashon Richardson: “1 – Florida. 19. 2 – currently studying to be an electrical engineer but I have an interest for designing…Jul 6, 02:07
  • Chou-Tac: “My pleasure Linda. I do have some content about Urban sketching. Hope it helps! Feel free to leave me a…Jul 5, 21:37
  • Adam: “I’m 40 y.o. from Czech. I need to improve to visualize my sketches. I dicover this from Google.Jul 5, 13:06
  • Adam: “I’m 40 y.o. from Czech. I need to able to visualize my idea. I believe it can improve my communication…Jul 5, 13:04
  • Candy-Chan: “I’m from Chicago and I’m 20. I want to learn to sketch to improve my art skills and be more…Jul 5, 09:00
  • Linda Cadeau: “I am a senior and started drawing about 5 years ago. Just want to learn how to draw objects that…Jul 4, 22:09
  • Marc Benitez: “USA 67 1. I have been drawing and scribbling since I was a child. I’m doing some blackletter calligraphy and…Jul 4, 11:27
  • Go: “hi, i want to learn how to draw, sketch, color reflections on glass cups, carafes, windows, doors, buildings, etc problems…Jul 2, 15:45
  • Gurupreet: “Hi, I come from India and I am 20 years old. I am an freelance artist and I use to…Jun 30, 22:14
  • Jatin Verma: “I come from India. I want to learn sketching in general, 1.India, 30 2. Studying graphic design and Sketching 3.…Jun 30, 14:19
  • Jatin: “I come from India. I want to learn sketching in general, 1.India, 30 2. Studying graphic design and Sketching 3.…Jun 30, 14:11
  • Murad: “Google search Yes learning more Intersted with your blogJun 29, 11:08
  • Fausto Blanco: “I’m an stell erection and construction estimator, my field is estimate. Labor and material quantities for big warehouse buildings, also…Jun 28, 09:14
  • NISHTHA HARSH NIRMAL: “I come from India. I want to learn sketching in general, but product sketching career-wise. I discovered this through PinterestJun 27, 14:32
  • Nishtha: “I need this book as im an aspiring designer. I love to sketch. I discovered this blog through pinterest.Jun 27, 10:57
  • Joh: “Brisbane, 37 Looking for a new hobby :) googled contour lines!Jun 26, 13:31
close-link
Start Sketching Today Step-by-step!

GET YOUR DESIGNER STARTER KIT NOW!

The
close-link
The
YES! I NEED THE BOOK!
Send me The Book
close-image