As an inventor and designer, I often find myself on a continuous quest for tools that can streamline my process and unlock new levels of creativity. So, I was surprised to discover that, despite being immersed in the design world for years, I somehow missed the powerful iPad app ProCreate—an incredibly intuitive drawing tool made in Tasmania. Now that I’ve finally embraced it, I can confidently say: ProCreate is a game-changer.

My journey into using ProCreate for industrial design sketches is a perfect example of a “gift in disguise” — an unexpected opportunity that ended up reshaping my creative process.

A Shift Away from Adobe’s Monthly Fees

Let me take you back a few months. I had grown increasingly frustrated with Adobe’s suite of tools. While Adobe’s products are industry standards, the hefty monthly fees were feeling wasteful. I had reached a tipping point: I decided it was time to say goodbye to Adobe and explore alternatives.

At first, I thought this shift would severely disrupt my workflow. But as it turned out, finding alternatives like Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo, and Affinity Publisher was a breath of fresh air. These tools are lightweight, intuitive, and — crucially — free from any subscription fees. Suddenly, my design process felt more efficient and cost-effective. I was no longer tethered to Adobe, and it felt like a weight had been lifted.

Enter ProCreate: A Revolutionary Drawing Tool

As I was optimizing my new workflow, I realized there was one thing I was still missing: a drawing tool. As a designer, sketching and ideating are core parts of my process, and I needed a tool that could support that.

That’s when I came across ProCreate. Let me tell you, I was blown away. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this tool was far more than just another drawing app—it was a revolutionary design companion that could elevate my workflow in unexpected ways.

Though I’m still in the early stages of learning it, ProCreate has already transformed how I approach industrial design. The intuitive nature of the app, combined with its depth of features, has made it a go-to for quick sketches, concept development, and even detailed illustrations. The freedom of sketching directly on the iPad has sparked a new level of creativity, allowing me to capture ideas in real-time, wherever I am.

The Inspiration of Katsya Terada

One of the key moments that really opened my eyes to ProCreate’s full potential came when I discovered a video about Katsya Terada, a Japanese artist who uses ProCreate daily in his own work. His passion for drawing is contagious, and he describes the act of drawing as something so essential, it’s like breathing.

This video resonated deeply with me. It reminded me of the joy and freedom that should come with creating—something I sometimes forget in the hustle of managing the business side of design. Katsya’s perspective on drawing and his deep connection to the creative process helped me realize how ProCreate could help me get back to the heart of my own design work: the art of making.

Embracing the Unexpected

What started as a seemingly small decision to ditch Adobe has now become a major turning point in how I approach my work at Hanalee. ProCreate, which I initially discovered out of necessity for a better drawing tool, has opened up a world of possibilities I never anticipated. It’s a tool that’s not just about creating—it’s about rediscovering the joy of designing.

As I continue to experiment with ProCreate and deepen my knowledge of the app, I can already see how it will play a critical role in the future of industrial design, from quick ideation to finished designs. For anyone in the creative field, whether you’re an inventor, a designer, or an artist, I highly recommend giving ProCreate a try. It might just be the “gift in disguise” you’ve been waiting for to unlock your creative potential.

At Hanalee, we’re always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries of design. Sometimes, the best discoveries come from the most unexpected places—and in this case, ProCreate has been exactly that.