[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":151,"prefetchLinks":152},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article_solidworks-edu-spotlight-fred-koehler-teaching-design-through-real-products_solidworks":3,"_apollo:default":149,"_apollo:identified":150},{"posts":4},{"nodes":5,"__typename":148},[6],{"id":7,"slug":8,"title":9,"uri":10,"excerpt":11,"locale":12,"featuredImage":15,"tableOfContents":23,"content":31,"date":32,"authorJobTitle":11,"author":33,"masterings":46,"globalTags":60,"products":94,"disciplines":105,"seo":137,"__typename":147},"cG9zdDo3MjA3OA==","solidworks-edu-spotlight-fred-koehler-teaching-design-through-real-products","SOLIDWORKS EDU Spotlight: Fred Koehler – Teaching Design Through Real Products","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fsolidworks-edu-spotlight-fred-koehler-teaching-design-through-real-products","",{"locale":13,"__typename":14},"en_US","Locale",{"node":16,"__typename":22},{"large":17,"__typename":18,"medium_large":17,"thumbnail":19,"srcSet":20,"sizes":21},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-with-essentials-4.jpg","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-with-essentials-4-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-with-essentials-4.jpg 698w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-with-essentials-4-300x215.jpg 300w","(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[24,25,26,27,28,29,30],"Building SOLIDWORKS Essentials|building-solidworks-essentials-0","Teaching through real products|teaching-through-real-products-1","Hundreds of resources|hundreds-of-resources-2","A champion for educators and students|a-champion-for-educators-and-students-3","The Art of Sketching|the-art-of-sketching-4","Instructor, mentor and friend|instructor-mentor-and-friend-5","Thank you, Fred|thank-you-fred-6","\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\">\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some colleagues teach you a skill; others change how you think about teaching it. As part of the SOLIDWORKS EDU team, I am fortunate to shine the spotlight on my colleague, mentor and friend, Fred Koehler, SOLIDWORKS Training Specialist since 1996. Fred has helped resellers, designers, engineers, educators and students learn SOLIDWORKS by doing what designers actually do: develop products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With three decades of training materials used by the SOLIDWORKS community around the world, Fred may be one of the most widely reaching CAD educators in history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"631\" height=\"817\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002F2020-cad.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72088\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002F2020-cad.jpg.webp 631w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002F2020-cad-232x300.jpg.webp 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"building-solidworks-essentials-0\">Building SOLIDWORKS Essentials\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fred’s story with SOLIDWORKS training began with the “Essentials” class. Working with his manager, Dave Pancoast, Fred helped develop the SOLIDWORKS Essentials training manual, the foundation for learning the software.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fred then taught the class to SOLIDWORKS Resellers, who in turn taught SOLIDWORKS customers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"teaching-through-real-products-1\">Teaching through real products\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What set Fred apart was his approach. Rather than walking resellers through one feature at a time, Fred taught engineering design with SOLIDWORKS through the creation of actual products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our resellers learn how features work together to solve a design problem, the way our customers will use the software on the job. Remember in 1990’s most design was 2D or on a drafting board. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hundreds-of-resources-2\">Hundreds of resources\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years, Fred has created hundreds of documents and\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmy.solidworks.com\u002F\"> My SolidWorks\u003C\u002Fa> videos, including the SOLIDWORKS Hands on Test Drive. Each one carries the same practical, project-minded approach into the hands of new users.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-champion-for-educators-and-students-3\">A champion for educators and students\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fred is a great supporter of educators and students. He regularly helps the SOLIDWORKS EDU team by producing curriculum and lessons, and most recently, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fsolution\u002Feducation\u002Fpractice-problems\">SOLIDWORKS Practice Problems\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a senior member of the training team, he is always there to help out his teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-art-of-sketching-4\">The Art of Sketching\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"595\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fart-of-sketching-1024x595.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72092\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fart-of-sketching-1024x595.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fart-of-sketching-300x174.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fart-of-sketching-768x446.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fart-of-sketching-1536x892.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fart-of-sketching.jpg.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his latest project, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Flearn\u002Fartofsketching\">Art of Sketching\u003C\u002Fa>, (3DXID login required) Fred elevates a skill that every designer needs. Strong sketches are where good models begin, and Fred is still finding new ways to help people master that first step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"instructor-mentor-and-friend-5\">Instructor, mentor and friend\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fred’s story is also part of mine. When I first started teaching at\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.massbay.edu\u002F\"> Mass Bay Community College\u003C\u002Fa> in the 90’s, I was fortunate to have Fred as my SOLIDWORKS Essentials instructor at the Concord, MA headquarters. He was supportive of my CAD program and of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I joined the SOLIDWORKS EDU team over 21 years ago, Fred was there as a mentor and friend. Having worked at\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FComputervision\"> Computervision,Inc.\u003C\u002Fa>  he knew what skills students needed to land the best jobs, and that insight helped shape the SOLIDWORKS EDU program. Ironically, I worked in Tech Support\u002FR&D for Computervision\u002FPrime Computer at the same time – it’s a small CAD world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-koehler-and-ryan-at-3dexperience-world-875x1024.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72090\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-koehler-and-ryan-at-3dexperience-world-875x1024.jpg.webp 875w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-koehler-and-ryan-at-3dexperience-world-256x300.jpg.webp 256w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-koehler-and-ryan-at-3dexperience-world-768x899.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Ffred-koehler-and-ryan-at-3dexperience-world.jpg.webp 1131w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fred also introduced me to his son, Ryan, a mechanical engineering student at RPI.  Later Ryan would become my engineering intern.  Now Ryan is a senior industry process consultant helping educators and student around the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"thank-you-fred-6\">Thank you, Fred\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you, Fred, for three decades of teaching, curriculum, videos and friendship, and for sharing your passion for design with the SOLIDWORKS community. There is no better feeling as an educator than seeing the people you taught go on to teach others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Design well. Marie\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2026-10-27T09:58:23",{"node":34,"__typename":45},{"nicename":35,"description":36,"slug":37,"name":38,"firstName":39,"lastName":40,"avatar":41,"__typename":44},"marie-planchard","Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of  Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach across all levels of learning.","marie planchard","Marie Planchard","Marie","Planchard",{"url":42,"__typename":43},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F10\u002Fnyzykisa-jpeg-96x96.webp","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":47,"edges":54,"__typename":59},[48],{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51,"uri":52,"__typename":53},"dGVybToxOTk2","Tutorials","tutorials","\u002Fmastering\u002Ftutorials\u002F","Taxonomy_mastering",[55],{"isPrimary":56,"node":57,"__typename":58},true,{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51,"uri":52,"__typename":53},"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnectionEdge","PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":61,"__typename":93},[62,68,73,78,83,88],{"id":63,"name":64,"slug":65,"uri":66,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo5NjAx","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-cad\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71,"uri":72,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo5NjI4","3D Modeling","3d-modeling","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-modeling\u002F",{"id":74,"name":75,"slug":76,"uri":77,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo5NTk5","Design","design","\u002Ftags\u002Fdesign\u002F",{"id":79,"name":80,"slug":81,"uri":82,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo5NzE1","Educators","educators","\u002Ftags\u002Feducators\u002F",{"id":84,"name":85,"slug":86,"uri":87,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo5NjQ4","Job Skills","job-skills","\u002Ftags\u002Fjob-skills\u002F",{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91,"uri":92,"__typename":67},"dGVybTo5NjAz","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Ftags\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":95,"nodes":102,"__typename":104},[96],{"isPrimary":56,"node":97,"__typename":101},{"id":98,"name":90,"slug":91,"uri":99,"__typename":100},"dGVybTo1Ng==","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[103],{"id":98,"name":90,"slug":91,"uri":99,"__typename":100},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":106,"edges":129,"__typename":136},[107,120],{"id":108,"name":109,"slug":110,"uri":111,"parentId":112,"disciplines":113,"__typename":119},"dGVybTo1OA==","Design and Engineering","design-engineering","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F",null,{"nodes":114,"__typename":118},[115],{"title":109,"uri":116,"parentId":112,"__typename":117},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":121,"name":122,"slug":123,"uri":124,"parentId":112,"disciplines":125,"__typename":119},"dGVybTo2Ng==","Education","education","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Feducation\u002F",{"nodes":126,"__typename":118},[127],{"title":122,"uri":128,"parentId":112,"__typename":117},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Feducation",[130,134],{"isPrimary":131,"node":132,"__typename":133},false,{"parentId":112,"id":108,"name":109,"slug":110,"uri":111,"__typename":119},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":56,"node":135,"__typename":133},{"parentId":112,"id":121,"name":122,"slug":123,"uri":124,"__typename":119},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":138,"title":139,"metaDesc":11,"opengraphAuthor":11,"opengraphDescription":140,"opengraphTitle":9,"opengraphUrl":138,"opengraphSiteName":141,"opengraphPublishedTime":142,"opengraphModifiedTime":143,"twitterTitle":11,"twitterDescription":11,"readingTime":144,"metaRobotsNoindex":145,"__typename":146},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-frontoffice-contrib-prd.itvpc.solidworks.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fsolidworks-edu-spotlight-fred-koehler-teaching-design-through-real-products\u002F","SOLIDWORKS EDU Spotlight: Fred Koehler – Teaching Design Through Real Products - Blog Solidworks","Some colleagues teach you a skill; others change how you think about teaching it. As part of the SOLIDWORKS EDU team, I am fortunate to shine the spotlight on my colleague, mentor and friend, Fred Koehler, SOLIDWORKS Training Specialist since 1996. Fred has helped resellers, designers, engineers, educators and students learn SOLIDWORKS by doing what […]","Blog Solidworks","2026-10-27T13:58:23+00:00","2026-10-27T13:58:26+00:00",4,"index","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1793124188373,[153,159,161,163,165,168],{"rel":154,"href":155,"as":156,"type":157,"crossorigin":158},"preload","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fstatics\u002Ffonts\u002F3ds\u002F3ds-Light-v2.woff2","font","font\u002Fwoff2","anonymous",{"rel":154,"href":160,"as":156,"type":157,"crossorigin":158},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fstatics\u002Ffonts\u002F3ds\u002F3ds-Regular-v2.woff2",{"rel":154,"href":162,"as":156,"type":157,"crossorigin":158},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fstatics\u002Ffonts\u002F3ds\u002F3ds-SemiBold-v2.woff2",{"rel":154,"href":164,"as":156,"type":157,"crossorigin":158},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fstatics\u002Ffonts\u002F3ds\u002F3ds-Bold-v2.woff2",{"rel":154,"href":166,"as":167},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fstatics\u002F3ds-navigation\u002Fds-header.min.js","script",{"rel":154,"href":169,"as":167},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fstatics\u002F3ds-navigation\u002Fds-footer.min.js"]