Hello Design Sketchers!

I received an email from Pio Tran about which software to learn to become an industrial designer.
There is no unique answer to this.

However, here is my response.

First of all,
depending on which field you choose among industrial design,
you may need more 2D software type than 3D software.

Vice versa.

For example,
as a footwear designer,
you need to learn how to sketch and have good skills with 2D software.

Your artwork will mostly be presented with a side view.

3d software could be then used by the engineering team.
They can help you create the 3d model of your outsole from your 2D documents.

In other design fields and companies,
3D software could be a must for you to acquire.

So it’s actually pretty good to learn both when you are a student.

Then, make sure to choose the right software to learn,
so you won’t waste precious time.

For example, Brush is an amazing 3D software,
but it’s recommended for applications such as movies or video games
including humans, monsters, creatures, and so on.

It would not be the top software to learn for Industrial designers.
(If you have a personal interest in ZBrush, I would highly recommend you to explore it as well)

The great benefit of 3d software is it can give you amazing rendering results for your portfolio. You will definitely get a lot of beautiful pictures, and details and show multiple views of your product.

BE AWARE OF THIS (TOO) COMMON MISTAKE:

A common mistake we see among students and young professionals is to focus too much on learning 3D software and neglect your 2D skills from software and hand sketching.

Too many stops developing their hand sketching for the sake of pretty and “instant” pictures in 3D. Which is overall a pity. : / As it might restrain your creativity.

Many readers of the blog tell me they feel suffering from a lack of visual communication. They can’t describe in words their thoughts, and can’t draw them either.

They wish to be able to draw their ideas on the spot with their colleagues or clients.

As a designer, a simple pen will forever beat any digital software.

Keep in mind that a designer’s main skill is to generate ideas and communicate them visually. You are first of all a CREATIVE. A great 3D modeler is a TECHNICAL skill that could be outsourced.

In the scenario that you can’t sketch, but perform great in 3D, you may get hired to become a 3d modeler. In other words, you may be modeling all day long other people’s ideas. If you take this path, make sure you are aware of it.

There is no right or wrong position. As long as what you do is aligned with what you aspire for, it is all fine.

So if you aspire to become a designer, go ahead with 3D software.
But make sure to learn sketching. Ok ? 🙂

There is plenty of software. Let me show you a narrow selection for you to focus on them. Feel free to tell us the software you recommend or use in the comments :).

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2D software

Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator

Adobe is pretty fast to use when you know them.
They are pretty much overwhelming at the start.

However, you will realize that you won’t need to know all the tools.

I enjoy creating neat outlines with Illustrator. For fast coloring, I use Illustrator using the Magic paint tool. However, if I wanna carry further my rendering, I enjoy imparting my outlines to Photoshop.

Sketchbook Pro

This is a super light software that is a must-have if you love sketching. Product and transport designers love sketching with it. Why? Because the pencil tool is so smooth and dynamic by default!

Some of you may ask: Why use Sketchbook Pro when you can also sketch in Photoshop?

It’s all about “sketching now”.

‘Sketchbook Pro has a minimalistic interface and is “ready-to-sketch” software.
In other words, with Sketchbook Pro, I basically open it and draw.

While in Photoshop,
I got to spend a few additional minutes to parameter the canvas size of the document and also my tools.

‘Sketchbook Pro has a minimalistic interface and is “ready-to-sketch” software.

In other words, with Sketchbook Pro, I basically open it and draw.
While in Photoshop, I got to spend a few additional minutes to parameter the canvas size of the document and also my tools.

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3D software

Rhino 3D

Rhino has a user-friendly interface and set of tools. It is much easier to handle than the giants 3DSMax or Maya.

It’s pretty affordable so any company could easily invest in this soft. Some more, it’s powerful and fast.

Rhino is great for any types of products. However it especially give great performance for product with organic forms. You may combine it with a rendering software called V-Ray.

Solidworks

If you have an OCD tendency (just kidding),
you will love Solidworks. It’s neat, simple, and gives super pro rendering.

If your product has pretty much an “Industrial look”,
you will be able to build your product pretty easily and fast.

One of the major options you can do is to animate your product such as sliding or rotating the elements. Imagine you are doing a live demo to your client of a rotating screen of a digital camera for example. 🙂

Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Chou-Tac