Hi Mike,

<I didn't make the connection until now, but in fact, WOW, you're already on my favorite designer's list. I have pics of some of your cars in a design inspiration collection I keep! They are beautiful and show much skill.

When I saw your reply I didn't know how to reply you,so I waitted a moment of inspiration.I'm deeply honoured and I'm glad my designs inspires other designers like you.I'm giving my best,and trying to learn something new and improving myself everyday.I think the most influence in my design are sci-fi movies.My automotive design visual base is huge so I can combine different elements from my head.

<I consider myself just a new beginner with ID and 3D modeling, but I hope to realize some great level of practice and experience someday

I'm not sure about your polygonal modeling and design skills,but for modeling with nurbs you are PRO,trust me. I'm watching video tuts on youtube everyday by the pros,but I didn't saw someone so comitted to every detail,in that part I envy your skills.I'm not patience as you are,I'm good with exterior and bigger forms.When it comes to small details,I'm loosing concentration and loosing energy to continue with my work.

I'm not sure how much do you have spare time.I have to sometimes to relax myself,so I'm watching concept artist Scott Robertson youtube channel when relaxing.That is why I don't watch tv to much.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrJhSmz4zo9t-Z2GdHECW7A

Also I like to sketch my designs with my graphic tablet and sketchbook pro.So I'v found a nice ID tutorials from Carla ID Creatures and Somosdi(spanish but more videos and tricks).Amazing tips and tricks when you are trying to sketch industrial design products from every angle.Both digital and traditional.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMEjFhvOE1NCgePCoW0vpg

There are others,but these 2 artists are teaching about automotive,concept art and industrial design sketching and drawing mostly.I think their video will help you like me,to speed up your ID progress,but only if you have spare time.

<I lack a lot of time to design in 3D due to my full-time job as graphic designer... but I can't complain.

I worked as graphic and as industrial design packaging designer 1 year as I mentioned you in my last post.I was employed cause they want me to design crazy looking PET bottle for food edible oil.There wasn't to much job with that,so to stay longer I had to learn and work adobe package and work as graphic designer.At first I designed labels and every element I designed had futuristic design with gradient and beveled effects.For some my designs were interesting and fresh,and to some mostly female population it wasn't to nice.

http://koleos33.deviantart.com/art/Packaging-design-2-92548339

http://koleos33.deviantart.com/art/Packaging-design-92548097

Company holder likes it and he forced me to stay and keep with my work.I worked with real graphic designer pro and I learned a lot from him.I wanted to learn even 3d modeling is much powerful,now I can combine with 2d graphics(textures,image improving,etc).When he found another job,I worked 2 jobs for that company for almost 2 months.It was heavy but I want it to see how I will manage in that hard situation with a lots of pressure.I must say I handled with it pretty good,but there was not to much work for designers anymore,so they have to fired me.

I forgot to mention that I don't have design school or computer school finished.I'm seltaught designer.I finished secondary school for carmechanic,due some financial and my countries circumstances during the 90-es.When I finished that 3 year secondary school,I decide it to not giving up from my automotive dream cause I could regreat it sometimes.So here I'm,keeping with my dreams.I'm not regreating,but it is a great pitty I didn't found who I'm when I was 16 years old.Then I was everybodies puppet.When I came from the army I worked hard works,whole day.Sometimes I'v been payed and sometimes not,it was the time of huge corruption and criminal in my country.It lasted for about 10 years.To use your talent you must also have familly support and I had mostly obstacles by my father's ambition to become a wall painter like he was.I still live with my parrents not married,but not giving up from changing that state.So I have to give more then a 100% percent in my work,cause online I'm against automotive pros and talented students,and offline I'm against some family members and conservative enviroment.After that 10years bad period,some things changed for a better so I decide it to invest in to the future,I bought me a PC.Knowledge returned me the descent life I deserve and I lost when I was teenager.Now I want it all,even I know everywhere is economic crysis and I'm 37 years old.That flow keeps me alive,and I don't know what I would do in my life, if I suddenly stop with my work.What I know I will do what I do until it brings me positive energy and faith in better and normal life.Sorry for pathetic,but that is my true life and the reason why I'm now doing what I like,and sacrificed other things.

Mike I hope so my links will help you with becoming a better in ID.What is your username on Deviantart?I'd like to check your gallery.

Keep up the good work Mike and post your 3d models and designs on DA,coroflot,behance,etc to spread a word about your talent.

Best Regards from Nikola

Thank you very much, Nikola! I really appreciate you sharing your experiences.
And thanks for the YouTube links! I'll spend the time watching them. I enjoy seeing other designers approaches to the creation process.

You words are not 'pathetic' at all, but reflects a great drive to succeed and a recognition of your journey to what you have now.
You are in an intensive self-study period now to become a true 'master'. ;-)
Michael Gibson must surely be inspired! (More than he may know) Some of the magic that makes MoI such an enjoyable program to use is surely reflected on this forum site. It seems to attract those who truly care about their work and harbors an uncommon collaborative spirit. We rarely see some of the 'fires' that happen on other site, but often, people excited to show off what they've learned.

Nikola, I don't currently have a DA or Coroflot account. I plan to someday when I can build up my 3D portfolio.
I keep one on my personal site: k4icy.com, but it is sorely out of date and needs updating.
My personality lends itself to being a little too humble and conservative for the sake of my talent.
However, not to brag, but I do have a real photo somewhere of former US president Bill Clinton holding one of my tee-shirt works before a diplomatic trip to Africa.
(Oh, and Mohammad Ali and Beyoncé Knowles) So I'll be happy to take little pieces of recognition over a single large one.

I'll have to admit that my polygonal modeling skills are non-existent at the moment, or at lease good enough to prepare models for rendering.
'Solid modeling' or NURBS techniques have drawn my full interest. The design of both form and mechanical function really interests me.
I think someday I would like to learn some basic SolidWorks or any other program if it means increasing my chances to gain employment in an ID design field.
When my wife finishes college I may be looking when we have to move.

I cannot begin to imagine what life must have been like for you growing up in Serbia. I do remember often tuning in the shortwave radio service from Belgrade.
Yes, and I did take notice that you share namesake with the great Nikola Tesla! ;-)
Hey! I'm a radio enthusiast too.

It has been said by a wise man, that everyone put on this Earth is given a life of challenge adequate enough to try one's soul - the overriding requirement is to "endure to the end".
Nikola, you seem like a driven individual with a strong sense of purpose and faith in your craft.
I have faith that you'll be able, later in your life, to look back with some contentment.
The good Lord has given you much talent from what I can see, so I think he might have much more in mind for you. :-)

I am not far off from you at my age of 41, we grew up with many of the same sci-fi movies.
In my early teen years, I constructed a Ghostbusters "proton pack" out of salvaged junk and tried to unlock the mysteries of how the flip-over wheels on the BTF Delorean functioned!
My dad was a man of all trades; a librarian, photographer, woodworker, and mostly a television repairman. He couldn't design but assisted in my love for all things radio and electronics.
So I learned to tinker with things at a young age was encouraged to take things apart.
I am "self taught" as well, and wasn't in a position to go to college after high school. But I did take a few high school credits in 'architectural drafting'. (found it too arduous)
The teacher was very knowledgeable at drafting, a strict teacher, and also taught the graphics/printing shop.

I have been very blessed to have worked in the graphics trade for the last 20 years; three tee-shirt screen printing shops and a large-format digital printing shop.
I can say I've had the best teachers to learn from: fellows that were veteran sign-painters (pre-computers) who knew a thing or two about composition and layout.
After high school, I hadn't realized my artistic talents and potential until a co-worker at the electronics factory I worked at gave me his copy of CorelDraw.
And I bought a used government PC (a '286' with 2M of ram and an EGA monitor) and took my first steps in computer graphics, and after a great 'leap of faith' I found myself designing tee-shirts for well-known companies.

But now I get to spend every day drawing in Photoshop, Illustrator and CorelDraw.

It has never paid well (I've got a wife and five kids and no medical insurance) but I still have much hope for my skill increasing with time. I'll never retire from it.
ID is the next natural evolution for my skill and craft. I think my previous experience will simply fold into my new experience.

Thanks again for the links, I'm going to especially enjoy Scott Robertson's tutorials!
Mike