How I Survived My Design School
I still wonder how I managed to survive design school. There were a ton of projects, and at times it felt overwhelming. Often, I questioned whether all that pressure was deliberate—designed to test how well we could handle intense workloads and stress. For many of us, finishing every single project was simply impossible.
Focus on Projects You Love
To get through, I made a decision: to prioritize my strengths and interests.
Instead of trying to complete every project at an average level, I chose to focus on the one I enjoyed the most. That way, my portfolio could showcase truly valuable work. Two things mattered above all: my Master’s degree project and my portfolio.
The final hurdle was our Master’s presentation in front of a jury of professionals, who would determine our success—not the school itself.
Create Personal Projects for Your Portfolio
My design school pushed for market-oriented student projects, but creativity and originality were just as important. During my fifth year, I dedicated all my efforts to the main school project.
But starting in my second year, I learned that personal projects—ungraded by teachers—could make the biggest difference when applying for jobs. While classmates prepared similar school projects, it was these unique personal creations that helped me stand out when applying for internships and positions I really wanted.
Apply Only to Design Companies You Truly Admire
Targeting companies I loved made a huge impact. I created personal projects and research sketchbook as if I were already part of their research and development teams, studying their websites and internal values.
For example, Philips promotes “Sense and Simplicity,” so I made sure my work reflected that style. Deviations were intentional and accompanied by explanations of their positive value. Custom projects demonstrate motivation and help you differentiate yourself from other applicants.
Be Resourceful and Reach for Your Dream Job
Even though I wasn’t taught footwear design, my interest led me to learn on my own. I explored professional sketches and boards from designers at Nike, Adidas, Hummel, and Puma. I taught myself Photoshop and Illustrator for professional renderings, eventually landing positions at a French sportswear brand and Adidas in Germany. Resourcefulness can help anyone achieve their dream job.
Cheers,
Chou-Tac
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