The Small Things That Make Design School Easier

A quick note: Every product in this article is something I personally own and use. I don't recommend tools based on what's popular—I recommend the ones that have earned a permanent place in my workshop. If you purchase through the links below, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support my work and allows me to continue creating content like this.

Ask an industrial design student what they need, and you'll probably hear the same answers: a powerful laptop, a good CAD program, and a sketchbook.

Those are all important.

But after spending countless hours in studio, workshops, and theater shops, I've realized it's usually the small purchases that make the biggest difference.

These aren't the flashy tools people post on Instagram.

They're simply the things I reach for every day.

Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse

If you spend hours working in Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop, do yourself a favor and invest in a quality wireless mouse.

The extra buttons, comfortable shape, and precise scrolling make long sessions much more enjoyable than using a laptop trackpad.

This mouse is so comfortable and responsive, it's one of those purchases that pays for itself every single day.

Check it out on Amazon

A Real Artwork Portfolio Folder

When I started design school, I carried my drawings around in... cardboard.

It worked.

Kind of.

Until corners got bent, pages wrinkled, and projects started looking rough before they even reached critique.

A proper, hard case portfolio folder keeps everything flat, organized, and presentation-ready.

It seems like a small upgrade, but it makes a surprisingly big difference.

Check out the one I use on Amazon

A Small Tool Bag

Instead of constantly searching through my backpack pockets or making trips back to my locker, I keep a compact tool bag with all the essentials.

Mine usually contains:

• tape measure

• pencils/pens

• utility knife

• screwdrivers

• pliers

• tape

• various other objects I thought were cool that day

Having everything together means I'm always ready for whatever project I’m working on.

I use this bag from Amazon

I also love these cheap and customizable DeWalt organizing cases from Amazon

Magnetic Parts Tray

Every time you take something apart...

One screw disappears.

It of course fell into fluffy carpet.

Now you can’t put your project back together.

A magnetic parts tray completely solved that problem for me.

It's one of the cheapest tools I own, yet one of the most useful, and not just for design projects, but any repair project as well.

I’ve loved this variety pack from Amazon, with a few different sizes for varying projects.

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Strippers

If I could only recommend one electrical hand tool, this would probably be it.

Unlike traditional wire strippers, these automatically adjust to the wire size, making them incredibly fast and consistent.

Whatever the wiring job, these save me an unbelievable amount of time.

Once you've used self-adjusting strippers, it's hard to go back. I LOVE this tool.

You can find it on Amazon

Precision Screwdriver Set

My little precision screwdriver kit has probably opened hundreds of devices.

From laptops and cameras to cassette players and game consoles, precision screwdrivers are one of those tools you don't think about until you need them.

These sets are generally amazing quality and cheap, making it an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys repairing or taking things apart.

I personally use an Inland set from Micro Center, but I found a similar one on Amazon

I also love my DeWalt cordless screwdriver, which is powerful enough for most projects without the bulk and noise of a drill or impact driver. Also available on Amazon

I've bought plenty of expensive tools over the years.

Some have been fantastic.

Others have barely left the shelf.

The items on this list aren't necessarily exciting, but they've quietly become part of my daily routine. They're the kinds of purchases that make life just a little easier, whether I'm in the studio, the workshop, or backstage preparing for a production.

Sometimes the best investment isn't the biggest one—it's the one you end up using every day.