Autoblog

Big name designers often skip from one job to another in the automotive world. Chrysler seems to be losing more than its fair share of artistic types, as the Auburn Hills-based automaker has lost two top designers in recent weeks. First, long time design chief Trevor Creed retired. Now Dodge Challenger Concept designer Micheal Castiglione has left for a smaller, more diversified design house. Castiglione has joined Ken Okuyama Design as their chief designer where he will work on everything from eye glasses and furniture to trains and planes. Okuyama also has some automotive interests, including the K.O 7 open wheel and the interesting-looking K.O 8 coupe (above). During his 15-year tenure with the Pentastar, Castiglione's best work came in the form of the Dodge Challenger Concept, but he also worked on the Jeep Compass concept and the Chrysler 300 production car.

[Source: Car Design News]

Trevor Creed resigned from the position of Chrysler's head of design, and as of today is succeeded by Ralph Gilles, the man who designed the 300C. Since every change at the top comes with a "new sheriff in town" speech -- or at least one-liner -- this is what Gilles had to say: "It's definitely time for a new aesthetic at Chrysler. ... We're done with the 'edge' look."

Gilles says he wants the Pentastar's cars to look more "organic." This being art, however, that could really mean anything. For concrete examples and practical considerations he mentioned the Dodge Zeo and Chrysler Ecovoyager, and said that he wants to design "sexy" cars that will appeal around the world. Intriguing statements from the gent known for a car that epitomizes the American muscle sedan, but we are all in favor, and we say "aye." The only question is how soon will they start the redesign, and what will organic look like?

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

A year after the introduction of the original scent, Aramis and Designer Fragrances have unveiled a new Mustang cologne variant. Mustang Blue, according to the manufacturer, is "the definition of confident, sexy and powerful for the Mustang man." A delicate blend of axle grease, brake fluid, and motor oil --- oh wait, sorry -- geranium, sage, artemisia, and a host of other olfactory stimulants combine to "celebrate the Mustang Man on a new journey."

Sam and I have Mustangs, and I'm fairly confident that neither of us knows exactly what the Mustang cologne people are talking about. Sam's is actually finished in Vista Blue, though, so maybe this is targeted more towards him. My personal favorite Mustang scent is Smoked Pirelli, but I suppose that has less broad consumer appeal than whiffs of sandalwood, hay and patchouli. Now that Mustang Cologne has spawned its first official variant, Shelby, Bullitt, and California Special edition scents can't be far off.

[Source: The Mustang Source]

Over the last three decades, there's been a common thread making Mercedes designs instantly recognizable and a lot of credit for that belongs to MBZ design boss Peter Pfeiffer. After forty years at Mercedes-Benz, and thirty years overseeing design, Pfeiffer is headed for retirement within the next 12 months. It was under Pfeiffer's pen that Mercedes turned out some of its most important cars. Vehicles like the 190, the W126 S-Class, original E-Class, and more recent work like the R, M, and G-class non-cars, to name a few. Gorden Wagener, president of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design in North America is a name being bandied about as Pfeiffer's replacement, and Mercedes will be making an official announcement soon. After such a long stint under the same chief, it will be interesting to see whether Mercedes design changes, and if so, how those changes will be received by the public.

[Source: Autoweek]

For a car designer, being honored by ELLE magazine might not be something you rush to append to your Curriculum Vitae. On the other hand, good design is good design, and the difference between the design cognoscenti and lay people is largely an ability to verbalize the pleasing elements of a form. Most people unschooled in the history and theory of design merely say "it's nice, I like it," or the oft-uttered phrase around Autoblog HQ - "that's hot."

GM Europe's Anthony Lo has been bestowed the honor of "Asian Designer of the Year" at the 2007 ELLE Magazine Style Awards. Lo has headed up GM Europe's Advanced Design division since 2004 after holding Advanced Design positions at Saab and Mercedes Benz. Lo's work on the Saab Aero X concept won him the award from ELLE. Lo has also presided over the designs of recent concepts such as the Opel Flextreme and GTC. So we guess if you love/hate the 9-5's chrome-bespectaled beak, he's the man to thank/blame. The Aero X is one fine piece of work, though, so we'll just stare at that and chase away any thoughts of the 9-5, or better yet, the Caddy BLS.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: GM via The Car Blog]

Between VW and MINI (and Audi's multiplying microsites), it's a wonder we don't spend all day playing little flash games with cars. That is, what tiny bit of time we have left when we're finished talking about cars. The house of Hammer & Coop has come up with another pleasing time-waster for MINI-philes, one that lets you design a custom roof. When you're finished with your MINI Mondrian or some other artistic piece, you can submit your design to the gallery. If it gets approved (which can take up to a week), your car will appear in the site opener, parked among what look to be hundreds of cars created by folks who also had nothing better to do at work. (As far as we can tell, the picture above can't be created in the designer, so don't expect to see it in the gallery any time soon. But lolcats and MINI's are made for each other.)

[Source: MINI.com via Autobild]

Talk about badge engineering. Aramis and Designer Fragrances, a division of Estee Lauder, has partnered with Ford to "bring the Mustang man to life." How? With a cologne spray, of course.

The same fragrance design house that has created for Donna Karan, Missoni, and Coach, has "engineered" a scent that is -- wait for it -- "bold, daring, and legendary." This, apparently, accurately describes the average Mustang owner, as well. A few more attributes you must have to comfortably wear this cologne: you must be "strong," "confident," "driven," "with an innate masculinity that does not go unnoticed." And you're "a guy's guy, yet... both modern and authentic." With great cologne, comes great responsibility.

So now that you know what you're getting into, here is the breakdown: the bold is lavender, ginger, and lemon; the daring is pipe tobacco and cedarwood; and the legendary is amber, fir basalm, and patchouli. Doesn't exactly sound like the scent that Bullitt would have been reaching for, but what do we know? The exterior packaging is a graphite metal reusable collector's tin, and prices for the range of cologne and after shave will begin at $20. It launches in July. And if current Mustang trends hold, it will launch again a month later with red racing stripes.

[Source: Yahoo]

We're not sure why strains of "Little Green Bag" are going through our head. Perhaps because it's about as funky as this little white purse. Saab teamed up with fashion designer Osman Yousefzada to create "The Little White Purse." The impetus behind the lash-up is to reduce the approximately one day per year the average woman spends digging around for her keys. This from the car company that mounts the ignition lock on the floor. It costs about $150, and is constructed of Italian leather and a nice, heavy silver plated chain. The compact purse (isn't it always the case, the more you spend, the less you get when you're buying designer goods?) can fit inside another purse, be worn as a necklace, or used as a torture device. Like any good exclusive Euro accessory, the Little White Purse isn't available in the US, but you can order it through the Saab UK website. We have two more pictures of the purse in action on the arm of a young woman after the jump.

[Source: gizmag]

UPDATE


Barely a year into his second stint at Pininfarina, director of design Ken Okuyama has been let go by the Italian design firm. Ken was previously with the company back in 1995 and is credited with designing the Enzo and 612, among others. We recently ran into him at the Pasadena Art Center Car Classic held at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design, where he remains on staff. He was also up in Pebble Beach where he was an honorary judge at the Concours d'Elegance close to where Pininfarina and Ferrari also showed off their new 599 GTB, as well as the James Glickenhaus-commissioned 612 P4/5 and Peter Kalikow 612K.

Replacing Okuyama will be company Chairman Andrea Pininfarina until a permanent replacement is found. Ken's philosophy of emphasizing practical design techniques and a more rigid engineering-based approach to projects led some to speculate that he might not be long for Pininfarina. Indeed, some have argued that Pininfarina and Ferrari have lost some of the passion that saw breathtakingly beautiful new models rolling out of Maranello every few years. Slightly more conservative in design (albeit more user-friendly and real-world practical), the 612, 599 and F430 have been criticized by some of the die-hard Ferrari fans out there for being too tame.

[Source: Automotive News - sub required]

UPDATE: After posting this article we received an e-mail from Mr. Okuyama. In it he explains that the success of his other industrial design projects and the time commitment they required, factored into the decision to not renew the contract at Pininfarina. The "Ken Okuyama" brand of interior design products and optical glass will continue to grow, but no decision has been made about his automotive design consultancy options as of yet.

Ford Motor Company, one of the main sponsors of "American Idol," told dealers yesterday that it is circulating a tape around various TV networks to bolster interest in a new reality TV series starring Ford and a yet-to-be-designed vehicle. The concept behind the series is that participants will work with Ford designers to develop their dream concept car.

Now all the automaker needs is a network to pick it up. Our bet is on A&E. If the Arts & Entertainment network will air this, then surely Ford has a future home on cable.