Find a lot of design inspiration at shopping with that simple trick

Sometime we wonder how to get more inspiration daily for our project at school. We may be tempted to buy books but they are pretty expensive as a student. Your teacher tell you to go to library, exposition and/or to be observant and get inspired from your daily surrouding wherever you go – which I fully agree.

Let me share with you something I used to do when I was student: I simply grabbed product catalogues from the shop. They are free and you may also get inspiration from the presentation of it for your own boards.

Whenever you go for shopping, look for the catalogues and bring some for your personal study. Feel free to take a minute to chit chat with the sales about the product to learn even more. you may ask question like: How does it work ? Who buy this product the most ? And why do they like it ?

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-e — Some catalogues mainly from the cosmetics department

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-h — Ask yourself about the size of each product. I am not a user of cosmetics, but I believe the 2 on the right are smaller and thinner to be carried in a handbag.

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-i — Tiny step-by-step explanation

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products — Some catalogues from the tech department

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-g — Browse and study products you like

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-d — Showing people using the product is a great way to attract attention

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-f — You may also study the colours and ask yourself why these choices.

product-design-the-design-sketchbook-inspiration-catalogue-of-products-c — Think of new way to hold/use your product

Of course, Internet has a lot of pictures of products, but I invite you to see them in real. You will get a better idea of scaling and proportion. You will aslo be able to touch and feel the product surface, to manipulate it, hear the sound it makes when you push a button… and son on.

To get inspired, your curisosity is the key !

Hope it helps !
Cheers,
Chou-Tac

2 comments

Cancel reply

How to Become a Concept Artist | by Edward Eyth – ✏️THE DESIGN SKETCHBOOK says:

May 10, 2025 at 5:11 pm

[…] your assignment is to design a doorknob. Your first impulse is to research doorknobs. Good. Look at catalogs, websites, and see what’s out there . . . not to inspire you, but to inform you about what NOT to […]

Reply
10 Tips for Industrial Design Students Who Want to Be Successful – ✏️THE DESIGN SKETCHBOOK says:

October 25, 2024 at 5:55 pm

[…] A designer is 24 hours connected to his surrounding from what he sees, feels, hears, eat… His source of inspiration can come from anywhere. […]

Reply

Chau: “i’m from vietnam, i’m 13 years old, i want to learn to become a deginer, i knew this blog from…” Aug 15, 12:03
jans: “from the Netherlands; 45; because I like drawing; from a friend; a lack of experience; to sketch better” Aug 14, 15:09
Marijke Mahler: “I am 71 years old I live in the Netherlands And I teach people to draw” Aug 13, 05:00
Pinar Sencandan: “Hi, I’m from Turkey. I am 32 years old. I am a product designer, and I would like to improve…” Aug 12, 20:23
C.N.: “A man from Scandinavia. Not exactly from the “boomer” generation. One of my elder brothers was good at drawing, even…” Aug 11, 05:17
Antor Halder: “I’m antor a 20 years old bpy from Bangladesh. I sketch because i enjoy it.now I’m an engineering student but…” Aug 8, 08:55
Antor Halder: “I have started learning product design.” Aug 8, 08:48
Disha: “My name is disha 19 yrs old , I am from India and I want to learn draw because I…” Aug 7, 02:02
Maxime: “Hi, Max here, 41, male, size 10.5, no banana for scale… I’m always looking to improve my techniques as a…” Aug 6, 23:48
Daniel Angbas: “I’m from Nigeria. I’m 25 years old I want to be an industrial & product designer Google research” Aug 4, 22:14
Daniel Angbas: “I’m from Nigeria. I’m 25 years old I want to be an industrial & product designer Google research” Aug 4, 22:14
Md Ashraful islam: “More than just athletic footwear, Nike shoes are symbols of style, innovation, and culture. Whether you’re a sneakerhead, want to…” Aug 4, 18:56
Oleg: “Hi ! 1. I’m in Russia. 2. I’m 40 years old. 3. I’m interested in drawing. I was looking for…” Aug 4, 02:51
Oleg: “Hi ! 1. I’m in Russia. 2. I’m 40 years old. 3. I’m interested in drawing. I was looking for…” Aug 4, 02:18
Mananpreet: “Hey, mananpreet t iwant to upscale and improve my skills in sketching, be it perspective, product or general sketching. I…” Aug 3, 17:50
Chou-Tac: “Co len Pham ! :)) Anh rat vui em muon hoc ve. (Trying to practice my vietnamese :) )” Aug 3, 06:58
Chou-Tac: “What is “Dim” Mark?” Aug 3, 06:57
Chou-Tac: “Glad it helps you Johnson during your learning journey!” Aug 3, 06:56
Chou-Tac: “Hey Nancy, please thanks him/her for the recommendation :))” Aug 3, 06:55
Nancy: “I am from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. A fellow watercolorist told us about your website.” Aug 2, 23:42
Manoj Singh: “I am 52 keen to learn sketching.” Aug 2, 00:14
fateme: “from iran age28 back to industrial design again chat gpt” Jul 31, 16:53
JALWA GAME LOGIN: “Great tips on maintaining proper posture while drawing! I never realized how much my body position could affect my artwork.…” Jul 30, 22:17
Hatim: “Hello, I come from Dar es salam, Tanzania i want to upscale and impove my skills in sketching, be it…” Jul 28, 23:29
Hatim: “Hello, I come from Dar es salam, Tanzania i want to upscale and impove my skills in sketching, be it…” Jul 28, 23:26