YOUR DESIGN COACH

Chou-Tac

Your Messages & Questions

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...
To improve in drawing...
it is a fentastic book...
I love drawing and because I love drawing I want to improve on my drawing....

Categories

The designer starter kit chou tac chung
Sneaker sketch book chou tac chung

Louis wrote me an email.
He’s a young student in Mechanical engineering. (And dream of a Product design career.)

He feels pretty bored at school and doesn’t do well in class.
He’s so disinterested that passing his 3rd-year might be tough…

“I feel I don’t belong here”. He said.

Engineer or designer career
Choose your pill to define your career

Mechanical Engineering vs Product Design career: Which One is Right For You?

  • The right path
  • Money or passion?
  • Pursuit of happiness
  • The Pragmatic “Look in the mirror” test
  • Ask the fish to climb a tree
  • The power of doing your own research
  • The world is emotionally driven
  • Nobody knows your limits
  • Bridge admission from engineering to Design school

It all started about a year ago.
Louis discovered his passion for Product design and drawing.

Liza simpsons dont belong there
Lisa <em>you dont understand I dont belong here <em>

And he asked me if he should:

  • A: Quit his Engineering school to start a Design School
  • B: Finish his Engineering school, then get an extra degree in Design.

Being hesitant to take the designer path, he also wonders about the chances to find a job as a Designer.

One day, a mechanical engineering student from India told me there are 2 types of engineers there.

  • TYPE A: They love their job and excel
  • TYPE B: They study there because it’s the logical path…
    (They live under the pressure of: “You better be a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer”.)

I receive the same message from students from India, the USA, France, and China…
Maybe there is something wrong in our modern education that may mislead young creatives. I can’t tell.

Mechanical engineering is a wonderful discipline.
But does it suit you?


The Right path

It is not easy to give personal advice on what you should do or not.
There are so many parameters coming in the pictures. (Career, family, finance, school admissions…)

But I know that our life is the sum of the decisions we take.

Louis’ story is similar to my story and maybe you too.

We went through the same difficulties struggling in studies we don’t enjoy.

So I thought I could share with you my thoughts through my real-life experience.

And if it’s relatable to you:

  • You may see clearer,
  • Feel lighter,
  • And make a positive decision for your future!
  • And become a wonderful Designer! 🙂
I can or cant

Money or Passion?

Remember this.

“If you want to find a position that makes money, don’t chase money.
Look for a position you love, and you’ll make the best of it (and make that money or even more).”

Snoop Dog

This message is from Snoop Dog.

It may look easy to say now.
But when he started, he was a pioneer in the music industry.
Following the path of Rap was a damn daring move at that time.
And he became rich.

Whether you may like him or not,
we can recognize he became one of the greatest rap influences in the world.

When you choose your studies path, and you weigh the pros and cons, make sure to look at the bigger picture.

Remember that MONEY is not the opposite of PASSION.

They work great in duets. Passion is actually your best generator of (money + happiness) if you think long-term.

How do you think Apple succeed so well?
It’s thanks to their passionate designers, especially Jonathan Ive, and the leadership of Steve Jobs.
By the way, Apple is looking for new talents to join them including:

  • Industrial designers
  • Human Interface Design
  • Communications Design

You can find them in the section of Design – Jobs at Apple

Mac vs pc
Apple vs pc

Pursuit of Happiness

Have you watched the movie “Pursuit of Happiness” with Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith?

“Don’t ever let somebody tell you “You can’t do something. Not even me.”

Chris Gardner (Pursuit of Happiness)
Pursuit of happiness will smith christopher quote
Pursuit of happiness

It’s my favorite movie.

It’s a true story about Chris Gardner’s determination who went from single-parent homeless to a successful businessman. Life can be tough. But if you pursue what makes you happy, you’re gonna find the energy to beat the odds in your favor.

I know, some people may respond: “Oh, that’s just a movie.” “Oh, that’s an exception”. Yeah ok.
But ask yourself:

Who has the best position to write your own story?

Simply You. 🙂

When we understand this, we start to take accountability for all our good and bad decisions.
So we can keep going with a clear mind and get into that following test.


The “Pragmatic Look in the Mirror” test

Love yourself look in the mirror
Love yourself for who you are

From a pragmatic point of view. Ask yourself if:

  • Will you succeed in your Engineering school?
  • If yes, will you become a qualified one, or just average or below?
  • Will your Engineer job make you happy? How will you feel each morning you wake up to go to work?
  • At the end of your working day, will you feel like trying to escape the office or would you be excited to go back the day after?
  • At work, will you feel as bored as you are now in class?
  • After x years of “career”, will you end up quitting or even “give up your life” and suffer all along till your retirement day?

These questions may be tough, but if you are honest with yourself, you could feel relief after answering them.

Knowing what you want is 1 thing.
Knowing what you DON’T want has equal power.


Ask the fish to climb a tree

In my opinion, if you are a Creative person, choosing a career that is not related to YOUR PASSION is dangerous.

It’s like asking a fish to climb a tree – Like how Albert Einstein said so well.

Our education system fish climb tree albert einstein

No matter how fancy your future will look in your parents, friends, or other people’s eyes if your job feels meaningless to you. You may shine outside, but you might feel miserable inside.

That will affect not only your professional life but your (future) family as well.

I don’t have kids yet. But the day I will, I would like them to grow up with a dad that enjoys life!
I already see myself showing them how I like drawing, hoping they may too. 🙂

My parents immigrated from Cambodia, escaping the war in the ’70s. I grew up in a happy and working-class family. Moving to France, gave me an opportunity to thrive. That would be a pity to do not to take it.

Let’s straighten things out:

  • A/ Follow your (recently discovered) passion for Product design?
  • OR
  • B /become an average (or mediocre) Engineer?

There are risks on both sides. But the Rewards have nothing in comparison!

Since I need to choose a risk, I rather decide which one to take by myself.

Job or career
Choose what you love as a living to thrive

How about taking my passion seriously and making it a career?

I asked myself this question when I was a student.
It actually took me 4 years to really know where I wanted to go.

I spend 2 years in DUTTC (Business)
+ 1 year spent without knowing much about what to do
+ 1-year Licence STIC (Multimedia)

On paper, it was great!
But in reality, I was bored.

Whenever in class I had 10/20 I was satisfied. If I got below, whatever…

I was an average student doing just ok.

However, I excelled in my internships and student yearly projects.

That’s how my hobbies, became my professional projects, and my internships!

Since I was able to choose the topics I liked and applied to companies I wanted.

Doing a website in 1999 was pretty much a badass move.

I passed and got graduated!

But, I still had no creative degree and was still a beginner.

I told myself:
How about taking my passion seriously and making it a career?

My friends were from business, IT, and engineering to become nowadays bankers, engineers…

That’s cool for them.

But how about the life I want for myself?

I have different aspirations. Why should I follow them?

  • If you like Pistachio Ice cream, and you prefer Chocolate.
  • Why should you take Pistachio and eat that same flavor for life? 🍦🍦🍦🍦.
  • Some more drooling 🤤 at people eating the Chocolate ones with yummy toppings.
  • It would be such a frustration! 😣😣😣

The power of doing your own research 🧐

If you ask for advice around you, they may see you as a “clueless dreamer” and will stop you.
If you ask someone who succeeds in the domain of design, that person will encourage you to go bolder.

  • Make sure to ask for help from the right people.
  • If one day I need a lift, I won’t ask a friend who has no driving license.

It is all about common sense right?

Do the extra mile to get the info you need where they are the most accurate. Not the closest.

I did my own research. (I can tell there was not a lot at that time on the Internet).

  • I didn’t have any designer friends, family, or network.
  • So I couldn’t tell about the job or career opportunities.
  • It just sounds crazy to make a living from drawing!

But I also asked myself, how the world could run without designers?!
Every single item around le (glass, table, chair, computer, phone, earphones, speakers, car, bicycles, beds, spoon, fridge, mp3 player…) must have started with a drawing.


Today we can find online crazy a lot more info from the brands, or designers themselves sharing their experiences online:

It is even more obvious today that design opportunities are growing like crazy!


But looking for information online is not enough to convince me.

  • I went to Paris to visit a design school (Creapole-ESDI)
  • And I met the director in person randomly in the corridors.
  • The best students’ projects were displayed there like an exhibition.
  • I had a chat with him and I could discuss it freely. What I heard was outstanding!

The profile of the designer he described was tailor-made for me!

I tell you more below as we need to understand why Design matters.


A Designer understands that the world is Emotionally driven.

ford model t car design

In the industrial era, the world was led by engineers. It was technology-driven.
For example, if you wanted to buy a Ford car, you had no choice than getting a black color.

“The story says that’s how Al Capone could escape from bank robberies since all the black were the same.”

We used to identify people’s needs using the “Socio-Professional Category”. Basically, if you had a certain age, are married, and do a certain type of job, you would have the same needs as all your pairs.

  • Now, humans are more complex, plural, and have more advanced needs.
  • Life has become even more fascinating. You could be a banker and love music festivals.
  • We talk about tribes: How people gather around the same interests.
  • We understand that the world gets emotionally driven.
  • Instead of: “Ok we got this new machine and technology. What can we do with it?”
  • Now we look for people’s needs, we look for solutions to solve them – then we go look for solutions to create the products to answer them.
  • And if we need to develop a technology to get there, we’ll figure it out how to make it happen to better serve our people.

In case the engineer says: “Oh that’s not possible.”
The designer’s job is to challenge him, and together figure out an alternative way to push the limits of the possible.

A designer and an engineer work together.
However, to me, I am more fascinated by the designer’s role. : )


DESIGNER ROLE?

A designer has multiple hats.

Drawing, imagination, but especially empathy.

  • A good comprehension of the human is essential. If you understand the people you create for, then you are gonna make great designs that people will use.
  • Better than marketing, you will get a sociologic approach.
  • Of course, if you have some engineering knowledge, they are welcome.
  • To be a good designer, it’s not only being good at sketching but having the willingness to create a better world. (I know it may look a bit cheesy, but it’s sincere)
  • A designer will have to convince a lot of people to fight for his ideas.
  • He communicates with the marketing department, the engineers, the costing, the management… but also approach the customers, even staff in shops…

What I like about being a designer is not having a comfy seat behind a desk.
Taking initiative to defend your project is quality.

You will somehow need to learn to be your “own lawyer” haha, but an artistic one. 🙂

You got an idea? Execute and Protect it.

Sociology
Tribes by interests values

Invest in yourself

The day I decided to leave behind my past academic degrees to enroll in a design school, I decided to invest in myself. To become a new version of who I wanna be starting my Product design career.

I am pretty much introverted.
However, I knew I didn’t want to live a boring average life, but an extraordinary one!

I realized I was not only a dreamer.
But also someone with realistic goals and ambitions.

It was my duty to get the courage to decide for myself, to talk about my project to my family who supported me and to commit.

Nobody knows your limits. Even yourself.

Becoming a design student is not gonna be smooth every day. But I really enjoyed them.
There were among the best years of my life.

Competition can be rude.

Only a small % are going to join the biggest companies.
(You could also build up your own design studio!)

If you belong to the best, you shouldn’t get too much trouble finding a great position.
70 to 90% of the student become OK Students.

And I recommend you target the top 10% of students.

It s not a punishment. It’s a motivational goal to help you go beyond your limits!

In creativity, the sky has no limit! ☁️

Since you will love studying design so much! You will be wired to overcome all obstacles.
For example, so many design schools don’t teach you how to sketch… you gotta put a lot of yourself in!

Nothing must be taken for granted.

You gotta swap your complaints with: How to solve my problem and keep up?

I can tell you that student life is gonna be a great preview of the Designer’s daily life in facing problems.

Did you get the mindset?

You are not going to study for a degree. But a bigger goal to a life welcoming problems! Haha.

If you want peace and quiet life, don’t choose the Designer’s path!

Problem solver creative
Designer = creative problem solver

A designer = A Problem solver. 💡🔑

Like how the Japanese say: “A problem is a treasure.”
(In other words, an opportunity to help people and make money!)

Sorry, I feel I am talking a lot.
But it’s a topic I feel pretty close to.

If I had any advice to give if you want to join a Product Design career: simply follow your heart 💪❤️.

And if you decide to bring him on the path of design, your mission is to make it love it to the max!

Why? Because once again, the best person to defend your dreams, is yourself.

I hope that will help you.

And choose well your design school, since they are all different from each other. 🙂

We are problem solvers

Bridge admission to Design schools?

TIP: For mechanical engineering students, you may have a chance to get a bridge to go directly to the 4th year of design school. One of my students from Sketch Like The Pros did apply after going through my course and got admitted! (I didn’t know that was possible before he made it.)

Another alternative could be taking Adult classes after work.

However, since Louis, you are young and I assume no kids yet,
you could start in the 1st or 2nd year of school to build up your creative maturity, your style, and design mindset.


Today Louis is an average student.
Tomorrow, when he will get on the right path, he will become an ambitious student full of potential!

And you, do you believe in pursuing your passion as a career?


Usamah testimonial

Hello Chou-Tac,
I have received the book, your book is greatly appreciated! I’m an Indonesian from South-East Asia, I’m a mechanical engineering student and found that sketching skills are really needed right.

I’ve been looking for various tutorials and was confused by explanations and stopped studying because my back hurts until I found your YT channel, and it was very helpful with the content that you have shared. I wish that the career I want to start, this can realize my goals. So I’m just looking forward to helpful and motivating content from you!

Once again, thank you very much!

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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3 comments

Leave a comment or question

  • I could relate to this post quite a lot. When I was in my third year I found myself questioning myself because I could see people being passionate mechanical engineers and I did not find myself enjoying solving equations and also studying. Thermodynamics was my least favourite subject. I did not know about product design back then. I’ve been working as a mechanical design engineer for 6 years now (and I am not that bad now) but like you said in the blog, if I want to make change, I should invest in myself. I have started doing that now. It is hard to do it with the increased work pressure but this blog post reminds me that there’s no expiration date and that I’m not too old to change career paths.

  • when I studied mechanical engineering, it was very difficult because of the many calculations and complicated terms. then I knew “solving problems” is cool and I want to do it, I believe that becoming a designer can be my path to a career as an engineer

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