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Chou-Tac

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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

Some of you following the Design Sketchbook blog are getting exciting design job interviews in great companies! I wish you all the best of luck!

When looking for an internship or a job, art, and design students tend to have a leg up compared to other, more “traditional” degrees (like, for instance, a business major applying for their first internship). So, to pack an extra punch,

What’s more powerful than the resume? The portfolio.

Most of the time,
your resume is pretty lightweight and not so different from that of all the other candidates who took those babysitting gigs and had a part-time job at McDonald’s.

It’s not so easy to shine in the middle of the crowd. However, designers have something extra up their sleeve: their portfolios.


1. What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a compilation of the best of your work that you show to prospective employers when you apply for a job or an internship.

Your portfolio is the best business partner you’ll ever have, and it should basically be able to talk to you.

Your portfolio showcases:

  • your work,
  • your personality and style,
  • your creative thinking
  • your interests,
  • and your ambitions.

A portfolio shows your employers how your brain works.

Every student designer needs to build one, and I definitely recommend you start early.

Your first projects might be clumsy, but don’t stress – you can freshen up the portfolio with newer, more skilled projects as you go.

It’s great motivation to improve, as well, since you’ll always be trying to top your other designs with your latest addition.

I also recommend that you bring along one of your most creative research sketchbooks for one of the projects in your portfolio.

The quality of the lines and the artistic style of the research sketchbook don’t matter as much; what’s important is that you show your thought process and your creativity in your approach to the project.


2. Should I have an online portfolio?

Nowadays, online portfolios are pretty popular, and for good reason. With them, you can expose your work to the world over.

Other designers can let you know that they appreciate your work, which can be the first step in building your network.

The world of design isn’t actually that big. Sooner or later, you might meet some of these designers in real life as a colleague, a friend, or a supplier.

I quite like these two portfolio websites:
http://www.coroflot.com

http://www.behance.net


3. What if people copy my idea?

This is a risk,
but to promote yourself you must promote your work.

You can’t hide.

If you are copied, it at least shows that you inspire people and that you’re doing good work.

If they misuse it, let them, and maybe your style and creativity will help them to improve in the long run.

It’s better to spend your energy improving your own abilities and perfecting your own style than wasting energy hiding from copy-cats.

Most importantly: just keep going, keep putting your work out there.

Otherwise, what if no one sees your work?
You’ll miss out on so many opportunities that might otherwise come your way.

Hiding your ideas and doing nothing with them is the same as throwing them away.

When I was first starting out, I didn’t bother as much with issues of intellectual property.

Show off your greatest projects, get hired by good companies, and from there you’ll have a platform to be able to do even more awesome stuff.
Though all of this, your portfolio is your best communication tool.

Take your portfolio to promote you like a marketing campaign.
Your goal is to get a design interview.

There is an exception if your plan is to build your own company, or if you plan to go through with one of your projects seriously. In this case, patent your drawings.

Your most private content you can password-protect online, or even better, only show physically.


4. Digital vs Printed portfolio?

I recommend you play around a little with both.
Send a sample of your portfolio and your resume as a .pdf file to your prospective employer as a teaser.

If you have Adobe PDF Creator, add the option FULL SCREEN.
That way whoever’s viewing it won’t be able to be distracted by anything else.

During the day of the interview, some candidates show their portfolios on a computer screen, bringing in their laptop or iPad.

I personally still recommend the traditional portfolio, because the interaction you get will be much different.

People tend to be so used to seeing pictures on screens that we don’t pay them as much attention.

A digital image may attract the eye for a second, but then it’s already being passed over to the next one.

A printed portfolio, on the other hand, invites the eye to stay.

It’s also easier to navigate a printed portfolio than to scroll through images one after another on someone else’s touchscreen.


As for the format, I’d suggest printing your portfolio pieces in size A3.

An A3 printer is a good investment for a designer, and you’ll likely use it for degree projects as well.

For your portfolio, consider printing on photo paper – I particularly recommend the mat and soft paper.

And finally, try to keep your images either all horizontal or all vertical if possible.

Canon A3 printer

5. What do I put in a portfolio?

At design school, you’ll work on various projects, which will beef out your portfolio.

While it is a good move to put your best stuff upfront, I’d still recommend you put the work that most relates to the job you’re applying for at the beginning.

Come up with a system for ordering the projects after that. Best to worst is one way of doing it, but I stand by presenting by categories or themes.

If you find yourself in a situation where, for instance, you want to apply for a job dealing with footwear but you haven’t done any related projects for any of your design classes, go ahead and make your own!

You’re a student; it’s the time to go crazy and dream big. Later on, when you get hired you can always tone your ideas down to more realistic concepts. The opposite is more difficult.

DO NOT include too many pieces. You don’t have to bring along every project you did for your degree; between 6 and 10 will do.

Prepare a short pitch for each. The story is essential. Describe the topic of the project with an explanation of why your idea will improve peoples’ day-to-day lives. Then go into the product features if necessary.

I recommend a few pages per project:
1. Cover (optional) with the project brief
2. Mood board with keywords
3. Compilation of research. Don’t overcrowd it with sketches; a few key drawings will do.
4. Your product

If you have a prototype, bring in some pictures and if possible a piece of it. A material sample, for example.

Some people warn against including older projects in your portfolio; I have to say I disagree. I’ve shown work I did ten years previously in my portfolios. The process of realization may not be as relevant anymore, but the idea itself is still strong and is still a part of myself. Stick to what you believe in.


Use Original Techniques for Getting Noticed

The secret is always to do things differently from the masses.

These tricks are designed to put you on top of the list of prospective candidates and to get you noticed in a positive way.

Here’s a set of “4 marketing weapons” to make you stand up and stand out.


Weapon #1: An Attractive Resume

Your resume is your first and main point of contact since you’ll send it to the company by email.

Done right, it will tease their curiosity and get them interested in your online portfolio.

Remember to print a few for the day of the interview.
You may have a few people present to meet you.

With different countries there come different rules, and resumes come in all shapes and sizes.

Some resumes include pictures; some don’t mention gender, and so on.
We tend to write resumes like we’re filling out tax forms or writing code.
But we’re not machines; we’re designers.

In my opinion,
when you’re applying for a creative job, the normal rules fly out the window.

Don’t worry about discrimination; trying to impress people with how professional we are creating a plain and boring resume that doesn’t make any sense for someone trying to make a living on creativity.

But before I went to design school I did exactly that, because everybody else did too and I never thought to question it.
Do something exciting for the eyes.

Dare to show your personality.
Make it graphic, and if you’re not good at that, try minimalism or getting a design friend to give you tips.

They might warn you not to play too much with the fancy fonts you’ll find on sites like http://www.Dafont.com.

Ha! Give it a try.


Weapon #2: A Creative Business Card

I know you guys aren’t working quite yet, but a business card is still a great way to introduce yourself.

You can specify on it which design field you specialize in (such as product design or transport architecture, etc.).

It’s always a fun moment when people exchange their identity and position, but it also looks professional.
There’s an immediate understanding of mutual respect for the exchange.

Make your card creative.
It doesn’t have to be a rectangle with a white background.

You can play with colors, format, materials, and so on. I personally lean towards “creative but simple”.

For my master’s degree, I created multiple sets of business cards, all the same except for a different background on each.

Sometimes,
I let people choose the one they preferred.

I’ll say it again: rules out the window.
Be crazy or be more contained; it’s up to you so long as your card reflects yourself.


Weapon #3: Send a Mini-Portfolio

Create a mini-formatted portfolio.
I print my work on glossy photo paper.

This may be a bit expensive since you’ll give these small prints away to companies.

Think of it as an investment, and give them out strategically.

Anything physical which looks nice and has value will gain you exposure. It may remain on someone’s office desk a bit longer.

I might heighten your chance of being noticed by other people who happen to see it.

Your prospective recruiter could show it to their colleagues or a busy boss on the go. Besides that, they could carry it home and show it to friends and relatives.

“Hey, today I met a great candidate, want to have a look?”.

The opinions of those around recruiters can have more of an influence than you might think.

Without that mini portfolio, your work would hardly be seen by so many people.
If you’ve got a good vibe from an interview, go ahead and gift one to your interviewer.

They might be surprised and you’ll have shown them that you really appreciated the meeting. If you didn’t like the interview, simply don’t bring it up.


Weapon #4: Extra Artworks

If you like photography, manga, illustration, concept art, sculpture – anything related to art that is not your major – you can also prepare a booklet to showcase that. I do not recommend that you add this to the main portfolio.

Take it out only if you feel the recruiter is open to it. Usually, this booklet remains in my bag, but who knows?

Some interviewers enjoy seeing what else you do.
You may share a common passion.

Preparing a portfolio is a lot of work, but it’s absolutely worth the investment. Always remember to try to build it up along the way, so that you’re not stuck rushing around, trying to come up with one at the last minute.

Remember, it’s your finest asset. Take care of it.
Let me know your thought or questions.

If you also have special techniques to get hired, please share it with us!
I’ll be posting another article soon giving some tips about design interviews.

Stay posted!


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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Leave a comment or question

  • You have to be crazy to put your portfolio online these days. Thievery is common now to the point of it being a destructive force to the industry. People in other countries are not subject to the same laws.

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