How I Learn Software Fast in Design
Jun 29, 2025
In today’s world, skills matter more than ever. Degrees are holding less weight, especially in creative fields, and what really sets you apart is your ability to adapt and learn new tools quickly. In design, you’re expected to be fluent in a range of software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, Fusion, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CLO3D, Browzwear, Framer, Rhino, and more. The list keeps growing, and sometimes it feels like you’re learning a new program every semester.
As a design student, I’ve had to pick up all of these programs, sometimes for a class project, sometimes just for fun, and always under a tight deadline. The reality is, being in design means you need to learn new software fast because employers expect you to hit the ground running.
But it’s not just design software. There are tools for business and collaboration that are just as important: Excel, Word, Miro, Jira, Asana, and various PLM platforms. These have become so embedded in the way teams work that knowing your way around them isn’t just a bonus; it’s expected.
My Approach: Learning by Doing
I remember a class where I had to design a chair and fabricate it using a CNC router. The only software compatible with the machine was Rhino, a program I’d never touched before. I had a month and a half to go from zero to finished product. Here’s how I tackled it, and how I approach learning any new software:
Start with a Crash Course: I watch a 20–30 minute beginner tutorial on YouTube. This gives me just enough to understand the interface and basic navigation.
Jump Into the Project: I don’t wait until I feel “ready.” I sketch out what I want to make in my head, then dive right in.
Problem-Solve in Real Time: As I hit roadblocks, I use AI tools (like Perplexity) to ask specific questions about the tasks I’m trying to accomplish.
Repeat and Refine: I keep working through the project, learning as I go, and revisiting tutorials or documentation only when I’m truly stuck.
Why This Works
Active Engagement: You learn by doing, not just by watching. Applying what you see in a tutorial to your own project forces you to actually use the software, not just passively absorb information.
Immediate Problem-Solving: You’ll encounter real problems, the same ones you’ll face in the field, and you’ll learn how to solve them as they come up.
Personalized Learning: Because you’re working on your own project, everything you learn is immediately relevant. It’s not just theory; it’s practice.
Visible Progress: After a few hours, you’ll have something tangible to show for your effort. That’s way more satisfying (and motivating) than watching hours of tutorials with nothing to show for it.
A lot of people get stuck in “tutorial purgatory,” watching endless videos, hoping to find one that matches their exact project. The truth is, most of the time, your specific problem isn’t covered online. That’s why building as you learn is so powerful.
Leveraging AI for Faster Learning
One of my favorite hacks is using AI to accelerate the process. With tools like Perplexity, you can upload screenshots of issues you’re facing and get context-specific advice. Perplexity pulls answers from forums, YouTube, and more, giving you synthesized, actionable solutions without endless Googling.
Here’s a prompt I use when I’m stuck:
“You are a professional in [field] and a master in [software]. I am a beginner in this software, and I am navigating it in making [describe project in great detail]. Please give me some advice on how to complete the following task in [software] and divide it into easy to follow clear sentences.
Task: I am wondering how I can perform [activity you are having trouble with] to achieve the outcome of [the goal that you are trying to solve in this part of the project].
At the end of your response, restate your persona and your goal with my questions.”
By applying what you learn from AI immediately, you cement that knowledge. You’re not just memorizing steps; you’re making decisions, solving problems, and building real skills.
Final Thoughts
Learning software fast isn’t about mastering every feature before you start. It’s about diving in, making mistakes, and solving problems as they come up. The more you do it, the better you get, not just at the software, but at learning itself. In a world where new tools are always around the corner, that’s the most valuable skill you can have