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 Iโ€™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 iโ€™m Midhun from India and I need to improve my sketching skills...
Iยดm from Mรฉxico. 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...
Iโ€˜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...
ฤฑ want to learn draw,ฤฑ 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 Mรฉxico, me inspira mucho tu forma de enseรฑar 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 tรฉcnicas de desenho, muito obrigado....
Hi Vinicius, thank you for sharing about Worldskills. https://worldskills.org/skills/id/5...
Hi chan. My name is Vinรญcius 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. Iโ€™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 enseรฑar .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,ย  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. Iยดm 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 didnโ€™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! Iโ€™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 annรฉes que j'ai arrรชtรฉ. 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 mรฉxico, me interesa y me gusta mucho tu forma de exponer cada uno de ...
Soy de la ciudad de mรฉxico, Mรฉxico es mi pais, y me interesa la informaciรณn 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 pequeรฑo y quisiera aprender mรกs....
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 โ€œ37 Secrets of Sneaker Designers'โ€ 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...
Iโ€™m design garments and just expanding on sketching....
Iโ€™m looking forward to sharpening up my sketching skills for sneaker design. Thank you f...
i Come from Les Baux de Provence. Thรฉ 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 , Iโ€™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 tรฉcnicas de desenho porque faรงo Design de Calรงados....
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...
Iโ€™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...
Iโ€™m learning how to be better at illustrating for animations...
Hi me prem...
Hi, Iโ€™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 dโ€™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 franรงais, I live near the lake of Neuchรขte...
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, iยดm 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...
Iโ€™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

Nicolas is a French student in Industrial Design who has recently achieved with success an Internship at Salomon. Nicolasโ€™s experience has a lot of positive insight so I though you may be curious to know more about him as much as I am ! ๐Ÿ™‚

Tell us about you ?

Nicolas Gomes
My name is Nicolas Gomes, I am 22, and I come from Fanche Comtรฉ in the east of France.

My outings in the mountains and activities like skiing and cycling have always given me the taste of discovery. I moved to โ€Les Landesโ€ for my studies, in south west of France, a beautiful region where I live between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean since five years. My passion for sport made me feel good here.

I passed my scientific exam (A level equivalent) majoring in engineering. My teachers advised me to choose this diploma because it would open up more opportunities later and I would have a more efficient way of working. I pursued my studies in industrial design, to acquire the technical basics and tools: 3D, product design, manufacturing processโ€ฆ

I was always curious to learn how the products are made, and also how they work. I used to disassemble many things, even if sometimes I didnโ€™t manage to reassemble!

I was fascinated by cars, airplanes, watches, everything that had a mechanical system. I tried to invent some systems, and I start drawing very early. I dreamed of bringing life to my drawings.

Vintage car on Photoshop


Student life

How did you hear about Industrial Design ?

When I was in High school, I drew a lot of cars. I liked the Peugeot brand. We talked a lot about the brand in Franche Comtรฉ because the historical industrial factory is implanted in the region.

I saw on internet they were organizing an automotive design competition. I havenโ€™t yet used Photoshop, and I saw how the designers renders could be attractive using it! I watched a lot of videos about designers work afterwards and I learned some really interesting things. This allowed me to expand my design vision to various domains, and to choose the design product.

Nicolas Gomes Sketching

What pushed you to enrol in a Design school ?

During my studies, I realizedย  we donโ€™t draw an airplane without consideringย  the technical constraints that surround it.The shape of a product must be thought with the simplest way to produce and must be intelligent in its function.

I did a lot of artistic drawings, but often copying from an existing model, without searching to understand these technical aspects. Many of my classmates dreamed of becoming an engineer. But when they had to imagine an aesthetic for the product, some of them couldnโ€™t find the way to represent it. 3D software is a good tool for that, but ideas can be excluded, and it doesnโ€™t allow enough creative freedom. That’s when I realized that what I preferred in product process was sketching.

I didnโ€™t know about the methods and the approach to innovate through design. So I enrolled a Design school in an undergraduate level in Product Design. Design professionals, taught me designs guidelines and the basic tools on Photoshop or Illustrator. I always spent my free time on these softwares, but the most important was the methodology. The Design school helped me to enhance my profile and develop my creative potential.

Itโ€™s important to challenge oneself for our professional life.

Nicolas Gomes Watch design

What do you like the most at being a designer ?

What always got me motivated in my future job, was the idea of โ€‹โ€‹being able to have fun every day! I think that a designer find his best ideas when his work is like a game for him. The research (also called ideation) phase of a project is always the most exciting. We explore new places, new domains where we could find the inspiration. We share with others our experiences, our vision of the product, what we expect, and what would be the emotion given to the customer through the product.

I have a passion for fashion. That attracts me because people wear the product, and give it a particular value. They love to wear it, share it with their friends or on Internet, taking photos. Fashion accessories or products will enable them to create their own style, and become themselves creatives. What I enjoy in this area is also the variety of colour combinations and textures we play. People have this sensibility to touch, appearance, and I like working on it.

Any advice for aspiring designers ?

A designer could draw the whole day. The best way to get ready is to take a sketchbook everywhere you go! I have sketchbooks from my trips in which I drew in the cities I went, many things, architecture, or an object which caught my eye, and also my friends or funny people in the street, a music band! All that sketches helped me to improve my drawing skills and today it’s useful for my work. When we meet a client or in a meeting, it may be necessary to draw quickly an idea. Itโ€™s always better to have a notebook on oneself.

What are the difficulties you meet as a student designers ?
And any tips to solve them ?

My feeling, when I started my studies was that I didnโ€™t have enough culture to find the inspiration. I was often looking for my personal interests. I think that we should be curious about the world around us and open to others.

These are two qualities that will be helpful in my opinion, at school and in working life. We are always trying to learn new things in the design profession. Ideas can come from any universe. When I reflect, the images that come to my mind are sometimes distant memories of my childhood, but also of my meetings, my discussions. We shouldnโ€™t miss any opportunity to share with others, in any situation. Even a discussion on a bus can become rewarding. We have to socialize, learn about other cultures, trying to get out of his comfort zone. I think it is important in our daily life.

Nicolas Gomes Helnet Design Sketching


Internship

You recently went to Salomon in Annecy for an internship as a Footwear designer.

Tell us a bit more aboutย  Salomon and your mission there ?

Salomon gather people who are passionate about mountain sports in order to aim for performance and innovation. Historically known in winter sports, skiing, snowboarding, clothing and accessories, Salomon also offers a footwear category. I was integrated into the outdoor performance division, the hiking and running shoes department. I loved working in this area because it taught me to consider a lot of codes which the customer trust and recognize. It was also interesting to see how these codes will change in a few years. I must also took into account several technical constraints about the product performance. This allowed me to participate in a project as a whole, and to invest myself fully in searches.

In your opinion, what do they look for first at selecting a candidate ?

The most important is to show that you are motivated to work on their side and that you share the same passion. I presented a project for my interview, in which I tried to implement the Salomon DNA in a product of the category for which I was applying. When you find the perfect opportunity, you have to show all you can do and especially what they expect from you during the internship.

Alpes Bike session

Few words about your journey ?
(e.g. Company, city, lifestyleโ€ฆ)

Annecy is a very sporting city. Many activities are organized around the lake! Wake boarding, stand up paddle, kayaking, rowing. And also paragliding from the mountains that surround it. I often run to the lake, or raced down the mountains with my bike, hiked in mountains, during my free time. Every weekend was an occasion to explore a new horizon! The advantage in a sports brand like Salomon is that they encourages us to play sports. Sports activities are organized within the ADC, at noon or after work. Some do fitness, yoga, others go running or biking. With the presence of Mavic at Annecy, in the field of cycling, many of the employees equip themselves of their accessories or also others products of the brands that are part of the group. Arc’teryx for clothes and bags in the outdoor, Suunto for the watches, Wilson for tennis and other ball sports still … We canโ€™t have come to Annecy without doing a sport! The Salomon staff is composed by dynamic and youth teams, so itโ€™s easy to discover new sports and to share its experience with them.

Does the project given to interns are the same as full time employees ?

What I was looking for, was a first experience with design professionals. I learned a working method. I saw designers working and organising their ideas in many different ways. It helped me to present my concepts and to explain them in front of others professionals. The workload isnโ€™t the same as a designer when you are a trainee. They have to work on several projects simultaneously. The projects I was in charge were intended to improve my ability to work and especially in order to work independently. But Iโ€™ve been the chance to work on a project from the beginning to the final design, on a model which will be sold on spring 2017, it was great for an intern!

Capture dโ€™รฉcran 2015-09-01 ร  12.55.51 pm

Any advice about making a portfolio and resume ?

A portfolio should be the reflect of our personality and our interests. It demonstrates our ability to work and our motivation. When you present it to a school, it must be the largest as possible. For a company, a portfolio should match as closely as possible with the spirit and the area of the brand. It is through the portfolio that we draw our profile and they will remember our universe. This is why it needs to be renewed according to our orientation. The designer resume reflects our personality. The colours we chose, the graphics, the organization are all important aspects that reflect our tastes.


Sketching

Is it important to have good sketching skills at Salomon ?

Each designer have its own method of drawing. Some are more comfortable on paper, others on digital. But the aim is to organize our ideas clearly and effectively. Some designers work with words when they start a project. This prevents to exclude tracks we would not have with a simple drawing. But these ideas need to be materialized in order to present them to customers or marketing people, who donโ€™t necessarily have the ability to imagine the product such as we describe it. Much of my time I have been dedicated to presentation boards, making sketches of principle or situational.

How did you learn how to sketch ?
Share with us your difficulties and method to keep going

When I drew my first shoes, they were a bit disproportionate. Starting from the shape of a foot or a photo of an existing shoe, I managed to give more resemblance to the final model. To gain efficiency, I replicated the shape of the shoe I defined, on Photoshop, and I started my sketches with this base.

In general, putting some photos or drawings in front of my desk helps me to imagine the product, and better reflect to the project. The ideal, should be a giant slate wall in front of my desk where I would draw any idea or word. Even if my sketches aren’t very satisfying at the first time, it’s easy to clean and restart! I could save paper!

Any advice to an aspiring designer who want to start learning ID sketching ?

Everything that we can draw around us is a good way to improve your sketching skills, and bring quality to your drawings. The more difficult is to give life to the drawing, an impression of movement. My advice would be to choose an object and draw it in action. Maybe on the hand of someone, or with someone using it, or simply placed on the ground, and trying to highlight it with several angles.

sci-fi-peugeot-taranis-concept-on-sketchbook-pro-on-ipad

What software do you use ?

I mainly use Photoshop. I do my design boards, sketches and renders on. The advantage I find is that you can easily modify your drawings, or change the disposition or the size of a view. For an illustration for example, itโ€™s faster to change a colour or a form with a texture applied on, by adding the correct options to each layers. I also used Sketchbook Pro which is ideal for sketches for example, I find it very intuitive quick and convenient. But I prefer to do my renders with Photoshop.

Nicolas Gomes -sing-Procreate-on-my-ipad

Any graphic tablet ? If yes which one.

I used a Cintiq 22 at school and during my internship. A friend had given me a bamboo when I was younger! Since then I have always spent my time on it. I could spend hours on without getting bored. By learning to use the softwares, I understood that it will be the best way I will work . I often draw on my ipad, during my travels, in the tram when I go to school or during my free time. My favourite app is Procreate, the resolution is excellent and the tools are very pro!

What’s your favourite pens ?

I draw with a ballpoint pen, BIC 0.7mm, for most of my sketches. For details, I use a Pilot Fine Liner 0.4 mm which dries quickly and doesnโ€™t bleed. For contours, a Paper Mate Flair 1 mm.

Can you send us a picture of your workstation or favourite tools ?

Workstation'
Nicolas Gomes workstation.


Inspiration

Who or whatย  inspire you the most ?

I find my inspiration in what amazes me and arouses my imagination. We all have in our memory, series, cartoons, objects which marked our childhood. For example, I liked to read Spirou comics, but I was more influenced by Tex avery cartoons or Marvel comics. American culture have nourished a big part of my visual culture. But not only! I have Portuguese origins, and every summer I went to Portugal. Besides the beach and the mountains where I’ve always loved to spend my time playing sports, I loved wandering around the old town of Lisbon. There are a
particular atmosphere, a passion for the country and a simple way of life. I take a lot of photos during my trips, and then I use it for my inspirations. I also find my inspiration in science fiction movies. I love watching sci-fi robots, spaceships and futuristic vehicles! I dream to pilot one of them!

Nicolas Gomes Salomon footwear design

How do you find inspiration for your projects ?
And how do you implement them in your product ?

If I had to make an aggressive and fast shoe, I could think of a cheetah I seen in a movie scene, and try to give to the product sharp lines, as his fangs, or the slender look of its body. But the relation with our source of inspiration and the product must be coherent with the message we want to convey. Besides travel, nature or architecture, sometimes I find inspiration from abstract lines of artistic works that evoke adjectives like fluidity, lightness, etc. Inspirations will have to appeal to the collective imagination, past experiences, visual or sensory to be understood.

Do you listen to music while you sketch ?
If yes which artist ?

I like to listen to music while I draw, like when Iโ€™m running, Itโ€™s motivating! I donโ€™t listen only Portuguese music, like Fado, thankfully! I love listening to music of 50โ€™s-60โ€™s, blues rock jazz, a bit vintage, but also recent rock groups, like The Black Keys. Often I listen to Latino music, traditional or rap: Portuguese and Brazilian music,(Mind da Gap is my favoriteโ€ฆ) Cuban music,like Orishas, Cumpay Segundo, or salsa.


Future project ?

What is your next step ?

My plan is to work in the field of accessories, eyewear, watches, shoes or leather goods. This year I enter in a Master’s degree in fashion design and accessories at the Design School of Geneva, I could benefit from fashion courses and an high level of learning.

If you could draw something and make it become reality. What would it be ?

I started to draw my dream house when I was 8. I drew the plans by hand, and I did the render on a 3D software. I dream to build it on a tree, beside a beach, with a pure design, and a very luminous interior. I will install my office, on a mezzanine, and when the sun shines, my roof will open totally, and my office will transform in a terrace, overlooking the ocean!Meanwhile that day, I think I’ll put some sand under my desk, to have the feeling of being in โ€œLes Landesโ€ beach when It will snow at Geneva!

Thank you Nicolas ! Wish you the best for your new fashion adventure in Geneva !

See more of Nicolas works at www.nicolasgomes.com
Salomon: www.salomon.com

 

Chou-Tac

Hello! I am a Product Designer from France.

If the sketching methods Iโ€™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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8 comments

Leave a comment or question

  • Thank you Chou-Tac for this interview! I’m happy to see that it motivates others design students! Good practice at all!

  • Thanks for this article Chou-Tac, I can greatly relate to this post. I’ve finished my degree in electronics engineering but passionate of aesthetics of products. I’ve been sketching in high school, most of them were architectural drawings though, but lost the connection on drawing when I entered engineering in college. Since then, I was more into analytical and technical thinking, less on the artistic side.

    I want to get back to the game of design and incorporate my electronics background to create the products I’ve been dreaming of creating. I have the background in drawing but would like to be inclined towards the path of industrial/product design. I have no time for school as of the moment and would rely on self-learning through books and online tutorials such as this blog.

    This interview and blog posts has inspired me in many ways. Thanks a lot Chou-Tac!
    Joseph.

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