--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the best things I ever did was to…" description: "\"One of the best things I ever did was to train in a practical skill. I love computers and they've become such a part of life, especially to the world o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/marc-newson-14809_art-of-life_one-of-the-best-things-i-ever-did-was-to_1105080.jpg" --- # One of the best things I ever did was to train in a… ![“One of the best things I ever did was to train in a practical skill. I love computers and they've become such a part of life, especially to the world of design. But it's important to understand that they are a tool, as much as a hammer or a saw is a tool. Computers don't help you design. There…” quote by Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/marc-newson-14809_art-of-life_one-of-the-best-things-i-ever-did-was-to_1105080.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/marc-newson-14809_art-of-life_one-of-the-best-things-i-ever-did-was-to_1105080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/300/marc-newson-14809_art-of-life_one-of-the-best-things-i-ever-did-was-to_1105080.jpg) > “One of the best things I ever did was to train in a practical skill. I love computers and they've become such a part of life, especially to the world of design. But it's important to understand that they are a tool, as much as a hammer or a saw is a tool. Computers don't help you design. There needs to be more emphasis on training young designers in how to build things. A good writer needs a good vocabulary. A good designer needs to understand his materials and processes. You can't, as a successful designer, pretend to get any respect if you don't know how things are made.” [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Designers must master both conceptual ideas and the practical tools of their craft; understanding materials is essential. **In simple terms:** Know your tools and materials. Key Takeaway Study fundamentals. Themes design craftsmanship education Mood analytical pragmatic Type educational professional When to use this quote - product design - architecture - software training Key Concepts Material literacy interdisciplinary skill Questions to Reflect On - How can designers balance theory and hands‑on practice? - What tools best reveal material properties? A Different Perspective Emphasis on tools may undervalue intuition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-life/) [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Good design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-design/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Part of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/part-of-life/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [When I'm teaching, I tell the story of this painting for two reasons. First of all, if you want a good solid color structure,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milford-zornes/when-i-m-teaching-i-tell-the-story-of-this-painting-for-two-reasons/) Milford Zornes > [Every designer needs a story. Mine is all about glamour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naeem-khan/every-designer-needs-a-story-mine-is-all-about-glamour/) Naeem Khan > [I'm so immersed in my little world that I don't often sit back and pay attention to what's going on around me. It truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/i-m-so-immersed-in-my-little-world-that-i-don-t-often-sit-back-and/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [I think the responsibility of running a huge business, which happens if you become a successful designer, probably makes you more careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-think-the-responsibility-of-running-a-huge-business-which-happens/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I don't think that design needs theory, but I think designers need theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-drucker/i-don-t-think-that-design-needs-theory-but-i-think-designers-need/) Johanna Drucker > [A successful designer must be a gambler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsa-schiaparelli/a-successful-designer-must-be-a-gambler/) [Elsa Schiaparelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elsa-schiaparelli/) > [Design needs to be plugged into human behavior. Design dissolves in behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naoto-fukasawa/design-needs-to-be-plugged-into-human-behavior-design-dissolves-in/) [Naoto Fukasawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naoto-fukasawa/) > [A successful solution to the client's design needs requires a collaboration of my skills, talents and knowledge with the client's information base, history in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fisher/a-successful-solution-to-the-client-s-design-needs-requires-a/) [Jeff Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fisher/) > [“Distinguish between you as the designer of your machine and you as a worker with your machine. One of the hardest things for people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/distinguish-between-you-as-the-designer-of-your-machine-and-you-as-a/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [I understand that the rule of fashion is to change, even as a successful designer - you do not want to be stuck in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-understand-that-the-rule-of-fashion-is-to-change-even-as-a/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [Design needs a new relationship with the world, one that is more focused on our planet's needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-needs-a-new-relationship-with-the-world-one-that-is-more/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [One of the great things about design is that it's truly international. No one in the design industry would say, "This country is mine,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/one-of-the-great-things-about-design-is-that-it-s-truly-international/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [“The natural evolution from design doing to design thinking reflects the growing recognition on the part of today’s business leaders that design has become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-brown/the-natural-evolution-from-design-doing-to-design-thinking-reflects/) [Tim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-brown/) > [Design is important, it's an important dimension in the car. It's not the only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ghosn/design-is-important-it-s-an-important-dimension-in-the-car-it-s-not/) [Carlos Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ghosn/) > [Design is too important to be left to designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-loewy/design-is-too-important-to-be-left-to-designers/) [Raymond Loewy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-loewy/) ## More by Marc Newson > [I pre-dated the trend for large watches by about a decade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/i-pre-dated-the-trend-for-large-watches-by-about-a-decade/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [I think it's really important to design things with a kind of personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/i-think-it-s-really-important-to-design-things-with-a-kind-of/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [But to me, to be original is to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/but-to-me-to-be-original-is-to-be-yourself/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [I was much more interested in making things than in designing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/i-was-much-more-interested-in-making-things-than-in-designing-them/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [Well, I never studied design and I went to art school to study art, you know, sculpture and things like that, and ended up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/well-i-never-studied-design-and-i-went-to-art-school-to-study-art-you/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [I never buy magazines, I never even buy books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/i-never-buy-magazines-i-never-even-buy-books/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [And where I grew up in Australia, surfing was a part of culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/and-where-i-grew-up-in-australia-surfing-was-a-part-of-culture/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [Now I'm doing more snowboarding but I have to get back into surfing again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/now-i-m-doing-more-snowboarding-but-i-have-to-get-back-into-surfing/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [You know like it has its own personality, its own character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/you-know-like-it-has-its-own-personality-its-own-character/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [One of the great things about design is that it's truly international. No one in the design industry would say, "This country is mine,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/one-of-the-great-things-about-design-is-that-it-s-truly-international/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [You know that's history, that's why some people say that my stuff is retro, but I don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/you-know-that-s-history-that-s-why-some-people-say-that-my-stuff-is/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [So if I want to buy a light in a shop and I don't find a light that I like, I think to myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/so-if-i-want-to-buy-a-light-in-a-shop-and-i-don-t-find-a-light-that-i/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [To create well I have to be in a good mood, happy and cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/to-create-well-i-have-to-be-in-a-good-mood-happy-and-cool/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [If somebody asked me about my inspiration I would say that it's not the peopleand it's not the things, it's travel and experiencing different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/if-somebody-asked-me-about-my-inspiration-i-would-say-that-it-s-not/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) > [I have a lot of objects in my space, little things, reminders, memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-newson/i-have-a-lot-of-objects-in-my-space-little-things-reminders-memories/) [Marc Newson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) [Explore all 45 Marc Newson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-newson/) ## More Art of life quotes > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Part of life is doing stuff that you don't want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-who-does-not-wish-to-be-named/part-of-life-is-doing-stuff-that-you-don-t-want-to-do/) One Who Does Not Wish To Be Named > [Having depression is tough, but surviving every day and telling yourself to go one more day longer is truly courageous. Amidst, all the pain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/having-depression-is-tough-but-surviving-every-day-and-telling/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [“The mistaken and unhappy notion that a man is an enduring unity is known to you. It is also known to you that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/the-mistaken-and-unhappy-notion-that-a-man-is-an-enduring-unity-is/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-art-of-life-is-to-know-how-to-enjoy-a-little-and-to-endure-very/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [“Learning what to want is the most radical, the most painful and the most creative art of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-vickers/learning-what-to-want-is-the-most-radical-the-most-painful-and-the/) Geoffrey Vickers > [New teachers were just a part of life, for a few days after one arrived, squawks of interest were emitted from various corners, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-wolitzer/new-teachers-were-just-a-part-of-life-for-a-few-days-after-one/) [Meg Wolitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-wolitzer/) > [“Everywhere you go you'll see highs and lows These things are just part of life and its flows It helps to understand that no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/everywhere-you-go-you-ll-see-highs-and-lows-these-things-are-just/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [I need someone...to be half of myself...to carry my 2nd part of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/singu/i-need-someone-to-be-half-of-myself-to-carry-my-2nd-part-of-life/) [SINGU](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/singu/) > [The easy part of life is finding someone to love you. The hard part of life is finding some to love you back!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-easy-part-of-life-is-finding-someone-to-love-you-the-hard-part-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's a part of life. You never know what you are going to get; you just have to be strong enough to deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-hill/it-s-a-part-of-life-you-never-know-what-you-are-going-to-get-you-just/) [Melissa Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-hill/) > [Experience is the only real teacher and if you keep a diary you get three bites at educating yourself - when it happens, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/experience-is-the-only-real-teacher-and-if-you-keep-a-diary-you-get/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [“You didn’t get it. Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/you-didn-t-get-it-sacrifice-is-a-part-of-life-it-s-supposed-to-be-it/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [Mistakes are a part of life, everyone makes them, everyone regrets them, but no one notices them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil/mistakes-are-a-part-of-life-everyone-makes-them-everyone-regrets-them/) [Neil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil/) > [“What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore? Nobody really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/what-advice-would-you-give-to-a-smart-driven-college-student-about-to/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) [Browse all 957 Art of life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the best things I ever did was to train in a practical skill. I love computers and they've become such a part of life, especially to the world of design. But it's important to understand that they are a tool, as much as a hammer or a saw is a tool. Computers don't help you design. There needs to be more emphasis on training young designers in how to build things. A good writer needs a good vocabulary. A good designer needs to understand his materials and processes. 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