Welcome to the Tailored Course Program

• Developing the “car designer” technique
• Working with materials
• Understanding perspective
• Developing your understanding of proportion
• Understanding surface reflections
• Developing perspectives
• Developing layout design skills
• Developing presentation skills

• Understanding packaging
• Finding inspiration
• Concept development
• Understanding functionality
• Form development
• Moving beyond “styling”
• Variations on your theme
• Automotive design vocabulary

In 2017 acclaimed automotive designer Michael Santoro saw a need for the type of training he wished he had when he was a teenager dreaming of becoming a professional car designer. The Tailored Course program brings automotive design and drawing education to anyone in the world. Our students have gone on to be accepted at the world’s top design colleges and universities including Art Center College of Design, College for Creative Studies, The Royal College of Art, Coventry University and the University of Illinois.  Many have received full or partial scholarships to these prestigious schools. There is no better program for aspiring automotive designers than this one. We look forward to helping you make your dreams come true.

Is it Hard to Be An Automotive Designer?

Becoming an automotive designer is a dream for many car enthusiasts. The idea of shaping the look and feel of vehicles that millions of people will drive is thrilling. Like any other creative occupation, being an automotive designer comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. There are days when the work flows smoothly, ideas come easily, and everything feels right.

But there are also tough days—when creativity feels blocked, deadlines loom, and the pressure to innovate becomes intense. However, while the job itself has its highs and lows, the road to becoming a professional automotive designer is often much harder than the day-to-day work once you’ve made it. The journey is filled with obstacles, and the competition is fierce. Let’s delve deeper into why becoming an automotive designer is so challenging, the difficulties faced by aspiring designers, and why seeking personal tutoring can make a significant difference in overcoming these challenges.

Becoming an Automotive Designer: Why Is It So Difficult?

The road to becoming a car designer is steep and competitive. It’s a field that attracts a large number of passionate individuals, but the opportunities for professional success are limited. To stand out, aspiring designers must not only have a natural talent for design but also be willing to put in countless hours of work to hone their skills. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so tough.

1. High Competition

One of the biggest challenges for aspiring automotive designers is the intense competition. The automotive design industry is highly competitive, with a limited number of positions available at top design studios and companies. This means that many talented individuals are vying for the same jobs, making it difficult to stand out.

Design schools that specialize in automotive design, such as the ArtCenter College of Design, the College for Creative Studies, or Pforzheim University, have rigorous admissions processes. Only the best candidates are accepted, and even among those, only a few will secure top positions after graduation. This high level of competition starts early and continues throughout a student designer’s career.

2. Rigorous Education and Training

To become an automotive designer, one must undergo extensive education and training. This typically involves earning a degree in transportation design, industrial design, or a related field. The coursework is challenging and requires a deep understanding of design principles, creativity, and technical skills. Students are expected to master a range of tools and techniques, from traditional hand sketching to advanced digital modeling. They must also develop a strong portfolio that showcases their best work and demonstrates their potential as designers.

The process of building this portfolio is time-consuming and often stressful, as it requires constant refinement and feedback. Furthermore, the field of automotive design is constantly evolving. Designers must stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and materials, making continuous learning a necessity. This adds an additional layer of difficulty for aspiring designers who must balance their education with staying current in a rapidly changing industry.

3. Creativity Under Pressure

Creativity is at the heart of automotive design, but it’s not always easy to be creative on demand. Designers often work under tight deadlines, and the pressure to deliver innovative and appealing designs can be overwhelming. This pressure is especially intense for aspiring designers who are still honing their skills and may struggle with self-doubt. Creating a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional requires a balance of artistic vision and technical knowledge. Designers must consider factors such as aerodynamics, safety regulations, manufacturing constraints, and market trends, all while maintaining their creative integrity. This complex balancing act can be difficult to master, particularly for those new to the field.

4. Building a Strong Portfolio

A strong portfolio is essential for anyone looking to enter the field of automotive design. However, building such a portfolio is no easy task. Aspiring designers must carefully curate their best work, ensuring that it showcases their skills, creativity, and potential. Each project included in the portfolio must be meticulously crafted, often requiring multiple iterations and refinements.

Moreover, the portfolio must demonstrate a designer’s versatility and ability to work across different styles and types of vehicles. It should include a mix of exterior and interior designs, concept sketches, and fully realized renderings. This breadth of work is crucial for making a strong impression on admissions committees or potential employers. The process of building a portfolio can be particularly challenging for students who are still developing their skills.

It requires not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of what makes a design compelling and marketable. Without guidance, many aspiring designers struggle to create a portfolio that truly reflects their potential.

How Hard is it to Be a Car Designer?

Becoming a car designer is a challenging journey that requires creativity, technical skill, and a deep passion for automobiles. While being a car designer is certainly challenging, the road to becoming one is far more difficult. The intense competition, the steep learning curve, and the need to build a standout portfolio make the journey tough. However, with the help of a professional tutor or mentor, you can navigate these challenges more effectively and increase your chances of success.

Let’s take a look at why a personal tutor might be a good idea if you want to become a professional car designer.

1. The Challenge of Skill Development

Aspiring car designers must master a wide range of skills, from hand sketching to 3D modeling, and from understanding automotive engineering principles to staying current with design trends. The learning curve is steep, and the pressure to develop a strong portfolio that demonstrates creativity, technical proficiency, and a unique design perspective is immense.

2. Competition and Rigorous Standards

The automotive design industry is incredibly competitive. Entry into top design schools, which is often a prerequisite for a career in car design, is fiercely contested. These schools have rigorous admission standards and only accept the most promising candidates. Even after gaining admission, students face intense competition from their peers, who are equally talented and driven.

What is the Purpose of a Professional Tutor?

Given the high level of competition and the demands of skill development, having a professional tutor or mentor can make a significant difference. Just as in sports, where coaching and mentoring can help athletes refine their skills and develop winning strategies, aspiring car designers can benefit immensely from the guidance of an experienced designer.

• The Importance of Personal Tutoring: Gaining an Edge

Given the challenges associated with becoming an automotive designer, it’s clear that aspiring designers need every advantage they can get. One effective way to gain an edge is through personal tutoring. Here’s how personal tutoring can help aspiring designers overcome the obstacles they face and achieve their goals.

1. Personalized Feedback and Guidance

One of the most valuable aspects of personal tutoring is the ability to receive personalized feedback and guidance. A tutor with experience in automotive design can provide detailed critiques of your work, helping you identify areas for improvement and guiding you on how to refine your designs. This feedback is invaluable for building a strong portfolio. A tutor can help you select the best projects to include, suggest improvements, and even assist with the presentation of your work. With personalized guidance, you can ensure that your portfolio truly reflects your abilities and stands out from the competition.

2. Skill Development

Personal tutors can also help you develop the specific skills needed to succeed in automotive design. Whether you’re struggling with sketching, digital modeling, or understanding complex design principles, a tutor can provide targeted instruction to help you overcome these challenges. For example, if you’re having difficulty mastering perspective in your sketches, a tutor can work with you to develop exercises that address this issue. If you’re new to digital design tools, a tutor can provide hands-on instruction to help you become proficient. This focused skill development can accelerate your learning and help you achieve a higher level of proficiency more quickly.

3. Portfolio Building

As mentioned earlier, building a strong portfolio is crucial for aspiring automotive designers. A personal tutor can be instrumental in this process. They can help you select the best projects to include, suggest ways to improve your work, and guide you in presenting your portfolio in a professional manner. Moreover, a tutor can help you create new projects specifically for your portfolio. They can challenge you with design briefs that push your creativity and technical skills, ensuring that your portfolio is not only impressive but also diverse. This can be especially helpful if you’re applying to top design schools, where a strong portfolio is essential for admission.

4. Preparation for Design School Applications

Getting into a top design school is a major hurdle for aspiring automotive designers. The application process is rigorous and highly competitive, with schools looking for candidates who demonstrate exceptional talent and potential. A personal tutor can help you navigate this process. They can assist with preparing your portfolio, writing your application essays, and even conducting mock interviews to help you prepare for the admissions process. This comprehensive support can significantly increase your chances of being accepted into a top design program.

5. Opportunities for Scholarships

In addition to helping you get into a top design school, personal tutoring can also increase your chances of receiving a scholarship. Many design schools offer scholarships based on the strength of your portfolio and overall application. By working with a tutor to create an outstanding portfolio, you can improve your chances of receiving financial assistance to pursue your education.

Conclusion

While being an automotive designer comes with its own set of challenges, it’s clear that the road to becoming one is often much harder than the job itself. The high level of competition, rigorous education and training, the pressure to be creative, and the difficulty of building a strong portfolio all contribute to the challenges faced by aspiring designers.

While the journey to becoming a car designer is tough, once you’ve made it to the professional level, the dynamics change. In a professional design studio, you’re surrounded by top talent—designers with years of experience, advanced skills, and a deep understanding of the industry. This environment can help you take your own skills to the next level.

Being part of a professional team allows you to learn from your colleagues, collaborate on complex projects, and gain insights into the practical aspects of car design that are not taught in school. This exposure to a high level of talent and experience can be incredibly beneficial, helping you to grow as a designer and refine your creative vision.