Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Honda closing European design office in Germany]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/report-honda-closing-european-design-office-in-germany/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/report-honda-closing-european-design-office-in-germany/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/report-honda-closing-european-design-office-in-germany/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2008 Honda Open Study Model - Click above for high-res image gallery

The car design community has been sent reeling by word that Honda plans to close down its European design studio. The office forms part of Honda R&D Europe in Offenbach on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, and while the rest of the research and development facility will continue operating in other capacities, the design studio is reportedly being axed.

The two-floor, 3000-square-meter design studio at Offenbach opened its doors in 1992, and has since handled a variety of automotive and motorcycle design duties for the Japanese automaker - including the Open Study Model pictured above. The reported announcement of its closure arrives against the backdrop of cutbacks across the board for Honda, including its withdrawal from major auto shows, the sale of its (now championship-leading) Formula One team, and temporary closures at assembly plants.

While some of Offenbach's motorcycle design responsibilities are expected to transfer to Honda's comparatively tiny 200-square-meter studio in Milan, there's no telling what will happen to the company's automotive design unit. But if we were living and working in Frankfurt, we'd be pushing for a transfer to Italy like there was no tomorrow - because with the rate at which Honda has been cutting back overhead, we'd bet that's where the future is.


Gallery: Honda OSM Concept


[Source: Car Design News]

REPORT: Honda closing European design office in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto designAutoDesignautomotive designAutomotiveDesigncar designCarDesigndesigndesign studioDesignStudiohondahonda designhonda design studiohonda offenbachhonda research and developmentHonda Research InstituteHondaDesignHondaDesignStudioHondaOffenbachHondaResearchAndDevelopmentHondaResearchInstitutehrihri euHriEuOffenbachMon, 05 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: 'Personality traits' of automobiles studied]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-personality-traits-of-automobiles-studied/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-personality-traits-of-automobiles-studied/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-personality-traits-of-automobiles-studied/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Reader-submitted "Cars" Photoshops - Click above for image gallery

The styling of your vehicle makes a statement, of course. Designers spend years perfecting the craft of automotive sculpture, and are finely attuned to what types of shapes and conventions send a given message. Now, the researchers want to move in and figure out how to express what the artists already know with a scientific approach called morphometrics. The practice of shape analysis, usually used for more classical studies like medicine and biology, is useful in improving healthcare equipment or possibly aiding in the identification of unknown remains.

People inherently look for faces and patterns, and the front of a car lends itself to being anthropomorphized. Professor Dennis Slice and his colleagues at Vienna University think the information gleaned from looking deeper into what the "faces" of various cars say - meek or mild appearance, for instance - and how to zero in on just what features will send the automaker's intended message. Of course, design teams already seem to be doing a good job of telling a story with design, with or without the newfangled algorithm. Possibly harder to nail down is the answer to the question of whether styling makes drivers behave differently, the next topic Slice and his team are tackling. Hat tip to Matt.


Gallery: Pixar CARS Photochops

REPORT: 'Personality traits' of automobiles studied originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto designAutoDesignautomotive design personalityAutomotiveDesignPersonalitycar designCarDesignvienna university auto designvienna university morphometricsViennaUniversityAutoDesignViennaUniversityMorphometricsThu, 09 Jul 2009 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/peter-horbury-returns-to-head-volvo-design-moray-callum-in-as-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/peter-horbury-returns-to-head-volvo-design-moray-callum-in-as-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/01/peter-horbury-returns-to-head-volvo-design-moray-callum-in-as-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Peter Horbury is returning to finish what he started. The charismatic British designer is shifting from leading Ford's American design efforts back to Volvo, the Swedish automaker at which he helped bring emotional surface language to the fore in the Nineties. Horbury leaves the Blue Oval having presided over the department's design efforts for much of its current portfolio (2010 Mustang, Fusion, Milan, 2009 Flex, etc.), along with numerous Lincolns, including the MKS, MZK, and MKT. Horbury's official title will be vice president, design, and he will be based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He replaces Steve Mattin, who left Volvo suddenly under mysterious conditions late last week.

Horbury's departure creates a leadership vacuum at Ford, a gap into which Moray Callum will fit as executive director for Ford Americas design. As a report to Horbury, Callum oversaw design on the 2010 Taurus, and he also led the teams that conceived the 2010 Mustang, Fusion, and Mercury Milan. Callum is perhaps better known for his work at Mazda, which included the 2003 Mazda 3, 2007 CX-7 and CX-9, along with a string of concept vehicles.

Both appointments are effective May 1. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief

Peter Horbury returns to head Volvo design; Moray Callum in as Ford's design chief originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto designAutoDesignBlue OvalBlueOvalbreakingbreaking newsBreakingNewsCallumcar designCarDesignchief designerChiefDesignerdesignFordhorburyMattinvolvoWed, 01 Apr 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Volvo design chief Steve Mattin leaves company]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/breaking-volvo-design-chief-steve-mattin-leaves-company/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/breaking-volvo-design-chief-steve-mattin-leaves-company/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/breaking-volvo-design-chief-steve-mattin-leaves-company/#commentsFiled under: ,

Steve Mattin, Volvo DesignDetails are scarce at the moment, but we have learned that Volvo's award-winning design director, Steve Mattin, has left the company. While no further details are immediately available (why he left, where he is headed, possible successors, etc.), Dan Johnston, Volvo's East Coast PR manager confirmed the news to us after placing a call to his counterparts in Sweden this afternoon.

U.K.-born Mattin has been Volvo's design director since May of 2005 and was instrumental in creating designs like the C30, XC60, and most recently, the S60 Concept from Detroit. Mattin joined the Swedish automaker after coming over from (then) DaimlerChrysler, where he was employed for 17 years. Mattin left DCX as the company's senior design manager after having a hand in vehicles as wide-ranging as the SL, SLK, SLR, R-Class, M-Class, and the Maybach line.

We will probably have to wait until Monday for further details, but sit tight - Volvo's already winding road may have just gotten a bit bumpier.





Gallery: Detroit 2009: Volvo S60 Concept

BREAKING: Volvo design chief Steve Mattin leaves company originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto DesignAutoDesignbreakingCar DesignCarDesignDaimlerChryslerSteve MattinSteveMattinVolvoFri, 27 Mar 2009 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Coco's Ride: What if Chanel designed automobiles?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/cocos-ride-what-if-chanel-designed-automobiles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/cocos-ride-what-if-chanel-designed-automobiles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/27/cocos-ride-what-if-chanel-designed-automobiles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chanel Fiole concept car

Jinyoung Jo is a car designer at Hong-ik University in South Korea, and this is her creation: the Chanel Fiole concept. As with classic Coco Chanel work, the design of the car was centered on simplicity of lines and "the best of black and white." As with most concepts, there was also an emphasis on airflow. The car seats three, two abreast and one staggered in between -- but it's probably best considered a sleek two-seater for runway types.

Have a peek at the Fiole video, which is better than a few commercials we've seen for real cars, and get an in-depth view of it in the high-res gallery of photos below.


Gallery: Chanel Fiole Concept


[Source: Cardesign.ru]

Coco's Ride: What if Chanel designed automobiles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car designcar designerCarDesignCarDesignerchanelchanel fioleChanelFioleCoco ChanelCocoChanelconcept carConceptCarcouturefashionfashionistaFiolehigh fashionHighFashionhong-ik universityHong-ikUniversitylifestylesouth koreaSouthKoreastudentuniversityFri, 27 Mar 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Industry crunch hitting design students hard]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/industry-crunch-hitting-design-students-hard/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/industry-crunch-hitting-design-students-hard/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/26/industry-crunch-hitting-design-students-hard/#commentsFiled under:



Another casualty in the collateral damage of auto industry woes: Graduating car designers are no longer finding jobs. The LA Times reports that in years past, manufacturer representatives would attend the Pasadena's Art Center College of Design's senior showcase and welcome a few visionaries into the hallowed world of car design. Now, manufacturer representation is down to one or two (if any), and those who show don't always end up hiring. For students who weren't chosen by manufacturers, the fallback was often working for a supplier, but these days, prospects there are just as bleak.

The fallback plan now for studious car design aspirants tends to be interiors or the world outside of car design. Those who can find any place at all in the car world will settle for penning A/C vents for now, and those who can't are looking at consumer appliances like cellular telephones. Although we have no doubt that current designers can deliver worthy goods when given the freedom to do so, as car enthusiasts, we look forward to when the gates open up again for the greatest minds of the collegiate generation.

[Source: LA Times]

Industry crunch hitting design students hard originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto industryauto industry bailoutauto industry outlookAutoIndustryAutoIndustryBailoutAutoIndustryOutlookcar designcar designerCarDesignCarDesignerdesigndesignerdesignersFri, 26 Dec 2008 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[More details on VW's design renaissance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/more-details-on-vws-design-renaissance/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/more-details-on-vws-design-renaissance/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/more-details-on-vws-design-renaissance/#commentsFiled under: ,



It seems Volkswagen has breathed a collective "Oops!", and is now working to turn its design ship around. VW was known for neat, differentiated designs with great interior details. While this stayed true in some parts of the world, in the U.S., Volkswagen design turned into chrome shield grilles fronting identical bodies in various sizes.

When Martin Winterkorn was lured back from academia, "he looked at Volkswagen's upcoming designs and binned the lot." Audi's design chief was brought in. VW started over on the Golf, which will be coming out later this year. The Polo redesign was taken up again from scratch. The Up! "was not fully thought through as a concept," and is getting a workover.

VW's new language is said to be about "simplicity," "a confident identity," "crisply-detailed functionality," and cars that aren't "over-designed." The chrome shield is gone (thank goodness) and headlights that wrap around to the front wheel arches have also been sent packing, "because that's not what a headlight is for." Stay tuned for more horizontals, as seen on the Scirocco -- and here (so much for no more chrome) -- and hopefully a slew of compelling shapes.

[Source: Evo]

More details on VW's design renaissance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car designCarDesigndesignnew productNewProductvolkswagenvwvw designvw golfvw sciroccovw upVwDesignVwGolfVwSciroccoVwUpWed, 23 Jul 2008 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Buick Reatta a design flop?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/28/buick-reatta-a-design-flop/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/28/buick-reatta-a-design-flop/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/28/buick-reatta-a-design-flop/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Buick Reatta a design flop? That's what a University of Michigan professor told The Wall Street Journal recently. Really? The Reatta is the one car that he could find to pick on as an automotive design flop? Sure, the high-tech coupe was overweight and underpowered, overpriced and under-appreciated. But a design flop? I think most of us would agree there are uglier, slower, more poorly-made cars in the history of automobiles. Our Dan Roth even called it a Future Classic not too long ago.

The story is part of a larger collection of design studies that looks at everything from blue jeans to concrete saws. One other automotive element of the series is a gushing story and video about Buick's Invicta concept car. If the piece is to be believed, the LaCrosse that may be based on the Invicta, will surely never make it onto a list of design flops.

So by that logic, fake, plastic portholes insure design success, but sexy, restrained style doesn't.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Buick Reatta a design flop? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click the image above for more hi-res shots of the 370Z and Infiniti design teasers.

There were crisp images of a blurry car being swapped and discussed today at Nissan 360. When Shiro Nakamura, the head designer at Nissan, revealed the barest hints of a car outline hidden behind a taut sheet of fabric, speculation began as to whether it represented the new Z. The arced flanges over the wheels, and the way they follow the wheels, have 370Z written all over them. However, it doesn't look as if it would fit this rendering exactly -- which is not a bad thing. All Nakamura would say is that we'll be seeing that wheel later this year, which, coincidentally, is when the next Z -- supposedly lighter and four inches shorter than the current car -- is slated to be unveiled.

The other design teaser was a top-view sculpture of future Infiniti design elements. Who knows what or how much of the elements -- like the ducktail rear -- will make it to the final product, and who knows what those features will look like when in production. But it's a good looking piece of art in its own right. A brace of edges peeking out from a sea of crimson undulations -- if they had thrown wheels on it I would have driven it out of the hotel last night.

Gallery: Nissan and Infiniti Design Studies


Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

Nissan 360: the design future, and the new 370Z? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>350z370zcar designCarDesigndesigninfinitinissannissan 360nissan 370zNissan360Nissan370zTue, 29 Apr 2008 20:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Bugatti Type 12-2 Streamliner design concept adds extra set of seats]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/11/bugatti-type-12-2-streamliner-design-concept-adds-extra-set-of-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/11/bugatti-type-12-2-streamliner-design-concept-adds-extra-set-of-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/11/bugatti-type-12-2-streamliner-design-concept-adds-extra-set-of-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view high-res gallery of renderings

A few months ago, we wrote about an amateur designer who penned today's vision of a Bugatti Royale. It was all good at the front, and then things got a bit, well, funky at the rear. Now another car designing buff with a pen suite of software has created his idea of a 4-seat Bugatti GT: the decidedly gorgeous Streamliner 12-2.

Maltese designer Reuben Zammit designed the Streamliner as a 2+2 with "ample luggage space." Though we're sure if Bugatti ever created such a car it would be decidedly more expensive than the Ferrari 612, cues from Maranello's uber-GT can be seen in the Streamliner. But the nothing-but-curves approach gives it a Bugatti retro flair all its own. The car would use a twin-turbocharged version of the W12 engine and be powered by the rear wheels only. That would give the Streamliner rather un-Bugatti-like handling, which we think is even more reason to buy one. Check out additional renderings of the Streamliner 12-2 in the hi-res gallery below and let the designer know if you like his work in the comments.

Gallery: Bugatti Type 12-2 Streamliner


[Source: Reuben Zammit via Carscoop]

Bugatti Type 12-2 Streamliner design concept adds extra set of seats originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugattibugatti streamliner 12-2sBugattiStreamliner12-2scar designcar designersCarDesignCarDesignersconcept carconcept carsConceptCarConceptCarsreuben zammitReubenZammitstreamliner 12-2Streamliner12-2Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus looking for successor to L-Finesse design]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LF-A roadster concept.

Lexus' L-finesse design language was meant to stand for "Seamless Anticipation," "Intriguing Elegance," and "Incisive Simplicity." If we put aside the marketing speak for a moment, the point of L-f was to give Lexus design a greater emotional connection with consumers. While it certainly didn't stop Lexus from selling more cars, we have a feeling that the increased number of wavy lines simply didn't resonate with the public quite like it was meant to.

Now Lexus is looking for a successor to L-finesse. Emotional connection from a purely design standpoint -- not "I just love my Toyota!" -- has been a weak point for Japanese cars in this country. Even the GT-R, the LF-A and the last Supra, technological tour-de-forces that they are (or were or will be), and for as much emotion as they inspire, are not pretty cars. The LS is a good looking car, but we wouldn't call it inspiring. Yet Lexus has a pretty good grasp on what its customers are looking for, so while we can't imagine that whatever's coming is going to be outrageous, we can hope that it will be a little less birds and clouds and a little more visceral.

[Source: Winding Road]

Gallery: Lexus LF-A Roadster

Lexus looking for successor to L-Finesse design originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car designCarDesigndesignersl-finesselexuslexus designLexusDesignWed, 30 Jan 2008 09:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford already thinking about more aerodynamic F-150]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/ford-already-thinking-about-more-aerodynamic-f-150/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/ford-already-thinking-about-more-aerodynamic-f-150/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/22/ford-already-thinking-about-more-aerodynamic-f-150/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above for more high-res pics of the 2009 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is America's annual best seller, moving more units than anything else since Jimmy Carter was president. It's also one of the most challenged when it comes to cutting through the air, although we know there's worse. If the F-150 is going to clear the hurdle of new CAFE regs, that's going to change: its combined 16.5 mpg won't make it any friends come 2020.

Ford designers, led by North American Design Director Peter Horbury, are already looking at ways to make the next generation F-150 more aerodynamic, despite the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 having just debuted. The problem is, there simply aren't many options for making a difference: the only two components are the giant block of a passenger compartment and the massive drag-creating void of a bed behind it. Ford design did attempt to go a little aero with the front end of the 10th generation 1997-2003 F-150, but that, frankly, wasn't what people expected from an American pickup.

[Source: Auto Week]

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150



Continue reading Ford already thinking about more aerodynamic F-150

Ford already thinking about more aerodynamic F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even though Jaguar and Land Rover might only have a foot or so of visibility into the fog of their business futures, they continue to plan for long-term success. The latest step is a $4 million investment in a "virtual reality center" that will create three-dimensional projections for designers and engineers to study, saving the time and expense of having to build individual models.

Jag and Land Rover worked with four suppliers to create the four-walled studio. Projecting power will come from eight Sony SRX-S105 projectors, each one of them as powerful as the best cinema-standard projector and each one having four times the resolution of HD. With that kind of capability, designers -- wearing 3-D glasses -- will be looking at photorealistic representations of their creations.

When finished in the spring of 2008, it will be the most advanced design studio in the world. We're glad to see the two embattled marques focused on nothing but getting better. Now if Jag could use that studio to make a kick-ass XJ replacement, and make the XF -- as good as it is -- everything it could be, then they'd really have a blockbuster studio on their hands.

Continue reading Jaguar and Land Rover to build coolest design studio on Earth

Jaguar and Land Rover to build coolest design studio on Earth originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From time to time we've all been tempted to purchase that fake diploma from the endlessly circulating email, right? The last time I checked, though, they weren't offering fake certificates from the Art Center College of Design, or the Academy of Art University. If you still held onto the dream of someday shaping cars, even after all your sketch pads had been confiscated, the normal path was that you'd go to an institution where you could learn industrial design through a rigorous academic program. That's the reason why those of us who continue to doodle four wheeled conveyances are reduced to sketching while on boring phone calls; to truly design real cars takes years of practice, hard work, and skill. Alternatively, you could drop a measly 20 bucks and start computerating up some fun looking vehicles with Topics Entertainment's Sports Car Designer software.

In the end, it's still no replacement for learning to render a form on paper with perspective, shading and foreshortening; all those things that take years to develop skill with. From what we can see, you're limited to a profile view, but the options for body shape creation are wide ranging enough that you can whip up some interesting forms. We're not seeing a tremendous amount of variety or originality in the screenshots at the support website sportscardesigner.com, but for $20 at Best Buy what do you want, Cinema 4D? When you're done with your masterpiece of the moment, you can export it as a .jpg, or you can spit CAD data out so that another program might be able to stitch the entire car together for you in 3-D space. It's a fun way to divert some hours, and hey, it'll keep that eternally fidgeting car-crazy pre-teen quiet for the vast span of 15 minutes, at least.

Thanks for the tip, Larry!

Become a car designer, just $19.99! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Chrysler 300 is an overwhelming success for Chrysler. Ford's Five Hundred wasn't nearly as big a hit despite on paper being a strong competitor. The Chrysler's advantage, of course, is bold design. The 300 has it, the Ford not so much. Automotive News even quotes an unnamed Ford exec saying the Five Hundred got a new look and a new name because, "it can't do any worse than it has been." Ouch. Ford CEO Alan Mulally himself is quoted saying the Five Hundred's original look "may have been too conservative." Ya think?

The Automotive News article points out that in the past, bold design in the mid-size sedan category was considered suicide. Take the third-gen Taurus. The car's iconic jelly-bean shape went oval and sales dived. Honda and Toyota have historically counted on their evolutionary design strategy to sell tons of Camrys and Accords. But, as the article says, even those two Japanese companies are seeing how some well-placed design cues may appeal to even conservative car buyers' emotions - if done well.

Continue reading after the jump.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Continue reading Imagine that... good design sells in the mid-size category

Imagine that... good design sells in the mid-size category originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan mulallyAlanMulallybob lutzBobLutzcar designCarDesignmid-size sedan designMid-sizeSedanDesignMon, 01 Oct 2007 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Designers to Ferrari: we will have a Dino with or without you!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/14/designers-to-ferrari-we-will-have-a-dino-with-or-without-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/14/designers-to-ferrari-we-will-have-a-dino-with-or-without-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/14/designers-to-ferrari-we-will-have-a-dino-with-or-without-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So many designers are getting in on Dino action these days, we can only hope the car doesn't turn into the automotive equivalent of Snakes on a Plane. Ferrari's consistent disavowals regarding any plans to make "a cheap Ferrari" is not stopping those with pens and intricate rendering software from making their own. Next into the breach is Ernesto Freitas, a Portuguese designer and engineer who has not only drafted a mock-up Dino, he then made a foam model. It's not as elegant as some of the other randomly generated Dinos we've seen -- things get quite busy aft of the doors -- but there is a healthy dose of Dino language to be had throughout. No matter what, though, full marks to Mr. Freitas for commitment to his vision. As for you, Ferrari, we'll see you in Frankfurt with The Car That Isn't A Cheap Ferrari...

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Designers to Ferrari: we will have a Dino with or without you! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I was young when I set up my first automotive company. It was small, as you might expect of a corporation founded by a 14-year-old. CJT Inc. produced only two vehicles. The MF2000 was a super-swoopy, gullwinged sports car with a tri-turbo V-12 that ran on either hydrogen or unleaded. Our other vehicle was an unnamed sport truck I swear GM stole and now, 22 years later, calls the Avalanche (what does that say about GM design? Hmmm).

Both cars, of course, were totally on paper and in my head. In fact, this may be the first time I've ever told anyone about them. They were awful-looking things, of course, since most of the design cues were taken from the mid-80s domestics I saw in my small rural hometown and a few over-the-top Italian supercars.

How many "amateur designers" reading this right now are nodding in agreement, remembering high school notebooks with 20 variations on the 911 profile, but only one page of physics notes?

A.J. Starkey of Texas is one of us armchair car designers. Starkey says his sketches are not meant to attempt to improve upon the pros, but instead are his escape from a relatively mundane cubicle-worker's life. He submitted to Autoblog his take on the admittedly gorgeous Dino rendering of Ugur Sahin. Starkey's take (seen above, with more here.) utilizes more design cues of the past, keeping the rear air intake lower on the body, and generally being more true to classic Ferraris.

Continue reading after the jump.

Continue reading Amateur car design: How fast do your dreams go?

Amateur car design: How fast do your dreams go? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At one of the Hot Rod Power Tour stops a few years ago, I met a GM designer at the automaker's booth. I can't recall his name, but I was so starstruck I think I remember our conversation consisting mostly of me saying, "Hey, you're cool."

Don't let this happen to you. The New York Times provides a lexicon of design slang to help you at least fake a conversation if you happen to run in to, say, Brian Nesbitt at the local bowling alley. We're sure most Autoblog readers know many if not most of the terms defined in the story, but there are a few that might surprise, and a refresher course is rarely a bad thing. Here are a few of the more obscure terms to get you started:

I.P. - The NYT's story warns to never use the word dashboard when speaking with a designer, but instead to refer to it as the instrument panel, or , preferably, the I.P.

D.R.G - Cars designed with traits of its company have what is called Down the Road Graphic. It's the "visual signature" that with only a quick glance, communicates the brand.

Dead Cat Hole - We can guess the origins of this term, but it refers to the space between a car's tire and the wheel well.

Check out the NYT story for more terms defined, like gummidinger and rat hole.

Learn the language of car designers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 May 2007 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's made some fairly significant changes to its domestic and international design teams, with former Chrysler designer Bryan Nesbitt coming out pretty good. Nesbitt moves from executive director of design for GM Europe to vice president of design for North America, reporting directly to Ed Welburn, vice president of GM global design. The VP of design NA is a new position according to GM's press release (on the jump). You probably remember Nesbitt's role in the PT Cruiser, HHR and Solstice designs.

Mark Adams will take Nesbitt's place in Europe and also report directly to Welburn. Adams is currently director of exterior design for GM Europe.

Another interesting note is the transfer of Dave Lyon, executive director of design for Asia Pacific, to executive director of interior design for North America. We wonder if it has anything to do with the success of Buick in China. Perhaps GM is hoping some of that success will rub off in the States.

Other design personnel changes are detailed in GM's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Car Body Design]

Continue reading GM shuffles global design team

GM shuffles global design team originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 May 2007 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geoff Upex worked with Land Rover for 23 years to help create and re-create the company's iconic boxy Range Rover line and in August, he relinquished the helm to Gerry McGovern. This week, Upex took his retirement on step further, saying that after his last day on Dec. 25, never again will he design another car. Not for Land Rover, not for Ford. Not for any automaker ever again.

It seems a tragedy that someone would completely give up something they devoted so much of their life to. We encourage Mr. Upex to continue creating stylish, attractive automobiles. If not for Land Rover, then maybe help a young, headstrong automaker in need of your sense of elegant restraint.

One charity case we think greatly deserving of your help, Mr. Upex (and we think we have a lot of support on this), is our style-challenged, hyper creative (and apparently nausea immune) Chinese friends at DongFeng. Please, Mr. Upex, for the sake of humanity, at least introduce DongFeng's designers to modern eraser technology. Please?

Land Rover designer quits, says no more originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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