Automotive design

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Designers at work in 1961. Standing by the scale model's left front fender is Richard Teague, a famous automobile designer at American Motors Corporation (AMC).
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Designers at work in 1961. Standing by the scale model's left front fender is Richard Teague, a famous automobile designer at American Motors Corporation (AMC).

Automotive design is a profession involved in the development of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This includes: automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans. The design and development of a modern motor vehicle is typically done by a large team from many different disciplines. Automotive design in this context is primarily concerned with developing the visual appearance or aesthetics of the vehicle, though it is also involved in the creation of the product concept. The task of the design team is usually split into three main aspects: exterior design, interior design, as well as color and trim design. Graphic design is also an aspect of automotive design; this is generally shared amongst the design team as the lead designer sees fit.

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[edit] Exterior design (styling)

The stylist responsible for the design of the exterior of the vehicle develops the proportions, shape, and surfaces of the vehicle.

Exterior design is not the most important factor in the program, but it does play an important role. People are different in tastes, so whether it is how comfortable a car is or how good it looks depends on different individuals. The designer's role is to put a little bit of both into the automobile. Exterior design is first done by a series of digital or manual drawings. Progressively more detailed drawings are executed and approved. Clay and or digital models are developed from, and along with the drawings. The data from these models are then used to create a full sized mock-up of the final design (body in white).

[edit] Color and Trim design

(AKA Color and Materials design)

The color and trim designer is responsible for the research, design, and development of all interior and exterior colors and materials used on a vehicle. These include paints, plastics, fabric designs, leather, grains, carpet, headliner, wood trim, and so on. They work closely with the exterior and interior designers.

Designers draw inspiration from other design disciplines such as: industrial design, fashion, home furnishing, and architecture. Specific research is done into global trends in design for projects two to three model years in the future. Trend boards are created from this research in order to keep track of design influences as they relate to the automotive industry. The designer then uses this information to develop themes and concepts which are then further refined and tested on the vehicle models.

Color, contrast, texture, and pattern must be carefully combined to give the vehicle a unique interior environment and personality.

[edit] Graphic design

The design team also develop graphics for items such as: badges, dials, switches, kick or tread strips, liveries, flames, racing stripes, etc.

[edit] History

Originally it grew out of the American car industry where artists working with water based paints would create visuals for future ideas. (See Automobile design)

[edit] Practice

It is practiced by designers who usually have an art background and a degree in industrial design or transport design. The automotive designers today continue in this tradition, but use more sophisticated tools such as coloured markers and computers.

Automotive design tends to differ from the other industrial design disciplines in that it has an important kinetic dimension that involves emotion and dynamics. These qualities have a strong influence on the way designs are created, especially with regard to exterior designs and the visuals. It also tends to drift into futurism (art) and fantasy art, creating visions of future worlds often not even on planet earth. In many ways it has a lot to do with our moving forward in the universe and the expression of these ideas. Many designers find places in the film industry creating designs and models on film sets such as Star Wars and Blade Runner.

See Category:automobile designers for a list of automotive designers and automobile design for automobile design

[edit] External links

Art & Design schools with degree courses in automotive design

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