Design Tutoring to Help You Achieve Your Goals
Why Get Tutored in Automotive Design?
Learning how to draw cars and starting a career in automotive design is hard. Really hard. Statistics show, in the United States, you have a better chance of playing professional football than becoming a professional car designer. All athletes obtain thousands of hours of coaching (tutoring) during the time they are aspiring to become a professional.
Why not aspiring car designers?
Why not you?
The 4 programs available through this site are designed to teach you how to draw cars and allow aspiring automotive designers to gain a better understanding of what it takes to become a professional. Our programs are unique, individually focused and designed to improve your skills and grow your talent in automotive design.
Benefits of our Automotive Design Programs
Get ready to get better!
Drawing and Design Review
While watching videos is a good way to learn the basics, it’s a passive experience. Three of our programs are interactive and engaging. You’ll be receiving feedback from professional, multi-award wining car and product designer Michael Santoro.
Get Your Questions Answered
Have you thought about what life is like when you’re an automotive designer? Michael has experience in multiple design environments including corporate, agency, consultancy and entrepreneurial. Leverage this knowledge for yourself.
Portfolio Review
Applying to a design college is stressful. What do you include in your portfolio? Getting your book professionally reviewed and receiving feedback before applying for admission (or for a scholarship) can make the difference between getting in or not.
Lightening Fast Responses
During weekdays, users of our subscription-based email tutoring receive a response within 24 hrs. With subscribers all over the world, we use the 24hr window as a baseline. The majority of responses go out within an hour of arriving to our inbox.
Free Access to All Video Coursework
Receive unlimited access to all of Michael’s online, pay-per-view courses absolutely free. Lessons are available to watch on-demand as many times as you’d like. They cover specific and important areas of automotive and product design.
Responses Crafted to Your Unique Needs
All our interactive programs are designed to improve your weaknesses, grow your talents and take your work to the next level. Our methods work because we address each student’s needs individually. The feedback you receive is based on this individual attention.
“I first started working with Michael when I was 14. We did several projects together. When it came time to get into a top design school, I not only got in but received a full scholarship to one and a partial scholarship to another. I now attend Art Center and am on my way to making my dream come true.”
“We could see our son was talented and loved to draw cars. He was watching stuff on youtube but was frustrated and not improving. A standard art class can’t come close to what Michael can offer. Our son’s talent has flourished working with Michael. He’s more excited about this than ever.”
Meet Our 4 Automotive Design Tutoring Programs
4 programs are available. Which program is right for you depends on your budget and where you are in your creative journey.
Subscription-based Email Tutoring
This program is for someone on a limited budget but still wants feedback from an award-winning designer to help them improve. Subscriptions are bi-weekly. You can send an unlimited number of emails during your subscription term. Receive feedback on your drawings, designs or answers about the industry. This is a great way to get started with tutoring.
One-on-One A la Carte Classes
For the person looking for something more immersive, we have our live, one-on-one, a la carte classes. You choose the number of classes (1 is OK) and the aspect of automotive design you want to learn. We’ll make sure you get the most out of our time together with a full demo and follow-up images. This is a great way to see if our Tailored Course Program is right for you.
One-On-One Tailored Course Program
Our most advanced program is for those needing a top-level project for their portfolio, a design contest entry or are looking to change careers or improve their skills. This is an extended, one-on-one tutoring experience. We’ll meet each week to work on a project tailored to your individual needs. This program has yielded contest winners and students accepted to top design schools with full scholarships.
“Our son started with the Udemy courses. Once completed moved to the email program. He loves the idea of getting consistent feedback from someone with the knowledge and experience that Michael has. We’ve seen a big improvement in his skills.”
“My parents could see I was serious about wanting to be a car designer. They signed me up for the email program and it’s been great. I’m getting real feedback and realize I have so much more to learn about how to draw cars. Overall, it’s been super positive.”
“I entered my first contest and didn’t place. Working with Michael has opened my eyes, not only about car design but about things like time management and how to be successful in life. I’ve entered the same contest this year knowing I’m so much better. ”
“I wanted to learn about rendering with color. I signed up for 2 al la carte classes. The class was a demo of marker rendering of my design. After class, I received images of what Michael created in class. I learned exactly what I wanted and am more inspired. ”
“I was stuck in my mid-20s, going nowhere. I always wanted to be a car designer. It had been a while since I drew this much or worked this hard. The Tailored Program gave me the ability to create a quality project that I will be using to apply to design school.”
“OMG this is so fun. I love seeing what my cars could look like during the demos. I am so inspired to work harder and get better. I found this online and showed my parents. They signed me up for the Tailored Course. I learn so much each week. It’s so awesome!”
Meet Your Tutor
Award Winning Designer, Michael Santoro
Some of Michael’s work and accomplishments:
Choose the Plan That’s Right For You
Udemy Courses
Video-based learning through Udemy. 3 courses available. Click for current pricing.
What’s Included:
- Perfect for the beginner
- Learn how to draw cars the right way
- Each course is 5 lectures
- Start, stop, pause and re-watch on demand
- Learn fundamentals of drawing for design
- Vocabulary of automotive design
- Basics of light, shadow and local color
- How to draw basic views
Email Tutoring
Email-based tutoring. No minimum commitment.
$55 usd / bi-weekly
What’s Included:
- Unlimited email correspondences
- Active engagement vs. passive nature of just watching videos
- Feedback designed to provide maximum improvement
- Each post reviewed and responded to in less than 24hrs. (M-F)
- Unlimited access to all Udemy online courses
- Ask about any aspect of automotive or product design
- Automotive or product design career advice
- Portfolio advice and content review
A la Carte Classes
Personal-one-on-one live tutoring.
$165 usd p/ 1 hr class
What’s Included:
- Live, one-on-one personal tutoring on any aspect of automotive or product design
- Work directly with Michael over Zoom or Facetime
- Full skill demo during class
- Learn exactly what you want to know
- Learn a solution for what has been holding you back
- Feedback designed to provide maximum improvement
- Post-class follow up images (if applicable)
- Unlimited access to all Udemy online courses
- Ask about any aspect of automotive or product design
- Automotive or product design career advice
- Portfolio advice and content review
Tailored Course
Personal-one-on-one live tutoring for 8, 10 or 12 weeks
See pricing below
What’s Included:
- 8 wk program $1000 usd
- 10 wk program $1250 usd
- 12 wk program $1500 usd
- Live, one-on-one personal tutoring over Zoom or Facetime
- Course subject and content is tailored to your specific needs to maximize improvement
- Work directly with Michael
- Full demo during each class
- Learn exactly what you want to know
- Learn solutions for what has been holding you back
- Feedback on drawing technique and design theory each week
- Post-class follow-up images (if applicable)
- Course can create contest entry or portfolio project for design school admission
- Unlimited access to all Udemy online courses
- Automotive or product design career advice
- Portfolio advice and content review
FAQs
Each email you send is personally answered by multi-award-winning designer Michael Santoro. You’re getting feedback and direction directly from him each time.
It depends on the content of your email. Initially, it’s important to establish what you want to improve. For example, if you’re looking to improve the line quality of your design drawings, the reply will contain step-by-step instructions on how to do this. You’ll then have to do the work to make that happen. Each student’s needs are different but each reply will contain actionable items or insight to help you improve.
Once your payment is received, you will receive an email asking about the best date and time for your class, what you want to learn and asked to send the work you want to discuss.
Each class is scheduled for 45 min. A lot of information is shared during each session. Based on experience, 45 min is about the maximum amount of time before you stop absorbing the information.
You will receive a syllabus before the first class that will outline the subject, goals and direction of the course. The subject, content and direction are based on the work you submitted, what you need to improve on and what you’re looking to achieve. The course is designed specifically to your individual needs so you can experience the maximum amount of improvement. You can read more about what the course is like here.
Because each course is designed to improve your weakest skills, each person can expect to learn something different. This is the genius of this program. If you do the work, you will improve the thing or things that are holding you back. Once those things are improved, the overall quality of all your work will take a quantum leap forward. This is an amazing feeling when this happens.
Payments of $120 usd are made each week 1 hour before class through PayPal. There are no upfront costs, fees or other charges associated with the course.
Not Sure Which Plan is Right for You?
Use the form below to send us some images of your work. We’ll review and advise the best place for you to start. As a creative person, there is no greater happiness than to see an idea that was once in your mind’s eye made real, out in the world. If you have the passion for cars and the passion for design, honor your passion and your talent and commit to following your dream with one of our proven programs.
How Can I Learn To Design Cars?
If you want to learn to design cars, you’ve come top the right place. How to Draw Cars is the leading online resource for automotive design education and one-on-one personal tutoring. Let’s take a closer look into how you can learn to design cars.
Designing cars, specifically the exterior and interior, requires a blend of creativity, technical skill, and a deep understanding of form and function. If you aspire to become a car designer, the journey begins with mastering the ability to translate your ideas into visual concepts. This process hinges on two critical practices: drawing every day and seeking guidance from professionals in the field.
1. Draw Every Day to Build Proficiency
Drawing is the foundation of car design. The ability to sketch your ideas quickly and effectively is crucial for communicating your concepts to others, whether you’re working on a rough idea or refining the details of a finished design. Here’s how you can build proficiency through daily practice:
• Start with the Basics:
Begin by drawing simple shapes and forms. Understand the fundamentals of perspective, proportions, and shading. Practice drawing basic geometries, like cubes, cylinders, and spheres, as these shapes form the basis of more complex vehicle designs.
• Study Existing Car Designs:
Analyze and replicate the designs of existing vehicles. Pay attention to how different lines, curves, and surfaces interact to create the overall form of the car. This practice helps you understand industry standards and the design elements that make a car visually appealing.
• Focus on Both Exterior and Interior Designs:
While the exterior is often the first thing people notice, the interior design is just as important. Spend time sketching dashboard layouts, seats, and other interior components. Consider how the design impacts functionality and the user experience.
• Experiment with Different Styles:
Car design is not one-size-fits-all. Explore various styles, from sleek sports cars to rugged SUVs, to broaden your design repertoire. This exploration will help you develop your unique style and approach to car design.
• Draw from Different Angles: To fully understand and communicate your design ideas, you need to be able to visualize and draw your designs from multiple perspectives. Practice sketching cars from front, side, rear, and three-quarter views, as well as from bird’s-eye and ground-level angles.
• Incorporate Digital Tools: While hand-drawing is essential, modern car designers also use digital tools. Familiarize yourself with design software like Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. Digital sketching allows for more precise adjustments and easier iteration of your designs.
2. Seek Tutoring from a Professional Car Designer
While self-study and daily practice are invaluable, learning from a professional car designer can accelerate your progress and refine your skills more effectively. A tutor with industry experience can provide personalized feedback, helping you identify areas of improvement that you might not notice on your own. Here’s how a tutor can help:
• Personalized Guidance:
A professional car designer can offer insights tailored to your skill level and goals. Whether you’re struggling with perspective, proportions, or the overall flow of your designs, a tutor can provide specific exercises and techniques to overcome these challenges.
• Portfolio Development:
Building a strong portfolio is crucial for getting into top design schools or landing internships. A tutor can guide you in selecting and refining your best work, ensuring your portfolio showcases a range of skills and creativity.
• Industry Knowledge:
A tutor who has worked and has had success in the car design field can offer valuable insights into current trends, tools, and techniques used by professionals. This knowledge can help you stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions about your career path.
• Conclusion
Learning to design cars is a journey that requires dedication, creativity, and technical skill. By drawing every day, you’ll develop the ability to represent your design ideas clearly and effectively. This daily practice will build the foundation you need to create compelling car designs, both exterior and interior.
However, self-study can only take you so far. Working with a professional car designer as a tutor can provide the guidance, feedback, and industry insights necessary to refine your skills and prepare you for a successful career in automotive design. With consistent practice and expert mentorship, you can transform your passion for cars into a professional skill set that will open doors in the competitive world of car design.
What Job Allows You to Design Cars?
Designing cars, particularly focusing on the exterior and interior aesthetics, is a dream job for many who are passionate about automobiles and creativity. This process involves not just crafting a vehicle’s look but also ensuring it offers a seamless and functional experience for its users. If you’re interested in this field, there are specific job roles that allow you to design cars, each with its unique focus and responsibilities. Let’s take a closer look.
1. Automotive Exterior Designer
An Automotive Exterior Designer is responsible for shaping the outer appearance of vehicles. This role involves creating the overall silhouette, lines, and surface details that define a car’s visual identity. Exterior designers work on the body of the vehicle, from the front fascia and grille to the side panels, rooflines, and rear end.
• Key Responsibilities:
Exterior designers start by sketching and conceptualizing new designs. They create multiple iterations to explore different ideas and refine the vehicle’s overall shape. After the initial sketches, designers use 3D modeling software to create detailed and accurate representations of the vehicle. This step involves working closely with engineers to ensure that the design is not only visually appealing but also aerodynamically efficient and structurally sound.
Designers collaborate with modelers to create physical prototypes, often using clay models. These prototypes help in assessing the design in real-world dimensions and refining the details. Exterior designers must stay updated with the latest design trends and ensure that their designs align with the brand’s identity. They often draw inspiration from architecture, fashion, and other fields to create innovative designs.
• Career Path:
To become an Automotive Exterior Designer, a degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically required. Building a strong portfolio showcasing your ability to design vehicles is crucial for entering this field. Gaining experience through internships or working on automotive design projects can also be valuable. Working with a professional auto design tutor is invaluable for creating projects, entering top contests and assembleing your portfolio to gain admission to a top school.
2. Automotive Interior Designer
Automotive Interior Designers focus on the inside of the vehicle, creating the layout and design of the cabin. Their goal is to enhance the driver and passenger experience by designing aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically sound interiors.
• Key Responsibilities:
Interior designers plan the layout of the dashboard, seating, controls, and storage spaces. They consider how these elements interact with each other and how they contribute to the overall user experience. Designers choose materials for the seats, dashboard, and other interior surfaces. This includes selecting fabrics, leathers, metals, and plastics that offer the right balance of durability, comfort, and luxury. Interior designers also work on the color schemes and lighting of the cabin.
They ensure that the colors, textures, and lighting create a harmonious and comfortable environment. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, interior designers play a key role in integrating new technologies. This includes designing interfaces for infotainment systems, digital displays, and advanced driver-assistance systems. The interior must be designed with safety and comfort in mind. Designers work closely with engineers to ensure that the cabin layout complies with safety regulations and enhances driver ergonomics.
• Career Path:
Similar to exterior designers, a degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or Interior Design is often required to become an Automotive Interior Designer. A portfolio that demonstrates a strong understanding of interior spaces, material usage, and user experience is crucial for entering this field.
3. Color and Trim Designer
A Color and Trim Designer specializes in the aesthetic details of both the exterior and interior of a vehicle. This role focuses on selecting the colors, materials, and finishes that will be used throughout the car.
• Key Responsibilities:
Color and Trim Designers explore new materials and finishes that can be used in vehicle design. This includes experimenting with different types of fabrics, leathers, plastics, and metals. These designers develop color palettes that align with the brand’s identity and appeal to target customers. They work on both the exterior paint colors and the interior color schemes. Color and Trim Designers must stay ahead of consumer trends, understanding what colors and materials are becoming popular and predicting future trends. They work closely with exterior and interior designers to ensure that the color and material choices complement the overall design. This collaboration is key to creating a cohesive look and feel for the vehicle.
• Career Path:
A background in Industrial Design, Textile Design, or Fashion Design can be beneficial for a career as a Color and Trim Designer. A strong portfolio that demonstrates creativity in color application and material use is essential.
4. User Experience (UX) Designer
As cars become more digitally integrated, the role of a User Experience (UX) Designer in automotive design has become increasingly important. UX Designers focus on the digital interfaces and interactions within the vehicle, ensuring that the technology is easy to use and enhances the driving experience.
• Key Responsibilities:
Interface Design: UX Designers create the design of digital interfaces within the car, such as the infotainment system, digital dashboard, and touch controls. They ensure that these interfaces are intuitive and user-friendly. UX Designers conduct research to understand how drivers and passengers interact with the car’s technology. This research informs the design of interfaces that are responsive to user needs and preferences. UX Designers develop prototypes of the digital interfaces and conduct user testing to refine the design. This process ensures that the final product is functional and meets user expectations. UX Designers work closely with software engineers to implement the digital designs within the vehicle. They ensure that the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and technically feasible.
• Career Path:
A degree in Interaction Design, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically required for a career as a UX Designer in the automotive industry. Experience with digital design tools and a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to create intuitive and engaging user interfaces are crucial.
• Conclusion
If you’re passionate about designing the exterior and interior of vehicles, there are several career paths available, each with a unique focus on different aspects of car design. Automotive Exterior Designers and Interior Designers are at the forefront of creating the overall look and feel of a vehicle, while Color and Trim Designers add the finishing touches that bring the design to life.
UX Designers focus on the digital interactions within the vehicle, ensuring that the technology enhances the user experience. Each of these roles requires a blend of creativity, technical skill, and a deep understanding of automotive design principles. By pursuing a relevant degree, building a strong portfolio, and gaining experience in the industry, you can carve out a successful career in designing cars. Whether you’re sketching the sleek lines of a new sports car, crafting a luxurious interior, or designing the interface for an advanced infotainment system, these roles offer the opportunity to bring your automotive design dreams to life