Taking Product Design I was one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had in developing my confidence with public speaking and critiques. The course focused on exploring the design process through clay sculptures, hand drafting, and digital renditions of our work.
Much of the class was team-based, and every week we presented our progress and ideas to one another, staying in the same groups and building strong bonds rooted in shared challenges. One project that stood out to me involved creating a clay model and then translating it into a digital draft to compare precision, proportion, and interpretation.
This process helped me better understand how ideas can evolve as they move between mediums and how to explain those shifts clearly to others. Our professor was patient and open, encouraging us to speak freely about our creative process rather than memorizing scripted explanations.
At first, my presentations felt sterile and overly planned. I worried I didn’t have enough to say or that my thoughts wouldn’t make sense. Over time, I learned that effective public speaking in design isn’t about perfection but about expressing my reasoning and perspective confidently, even if not everyone interprets it the same way.
During critiques, classmates shared what they liked and what could be improved, which taught me that feedback is always subjective—what one person dislikes, another might see as unique. Discussions often flowed naturally, with one person’s ideas sparking another’s, creating a collaborative rhythm that made speaking feel less intimidating.
By the end of the course, I felt comfortable presenting my work with authenticity and personality. More importantly, I learned that communication in design is not just about describing what something is, but about conveying why it matters.
