Developing a vehicle is no easy task.  Anyone who has been a part of the development cycle and they are amazed that all the pieces and parts actually fit together and are reliable for 10+ years.  It truly is an incredible undertaking.  As for the creative process the easiest part is sometimes nailing the sketch to develop  a new car.  The more difficult and longer process is developing that sketch into a feasible and working automobile.  A designer will sketch the concept and it is then the job of the design manager to execute the theme.  It goes up from there with the design director keeping tabs on the manager and the VP looking after the director.  You can see how the differing aesthetic taste can derail the theme direction.  Case in point, the Chrysler Sebring (do you think a designer actually wanted the car to look like that?).  Management also has input flanking from every side.  Product planning, marketing, engineering, etc. all have their own agendas that often do not align with design.

Luciano Bove is a design manager a Renault in France.  His blog Car Design Education Tips posted some tips and info on design management.  He speaks of some key attributes which are relevant to any designer in the corporate world.  Check it out below,

The automotive design process is something complicated believe me. From sketches to production there are almost 4 years of activities, brainstorming – ideas selections – sketching evolutions – early presentations to select ideas -product planning meetings – marketing – first architecture product plans – virtual reality step – model making – master models – technical meetings – suppliers meetings – follow up parts – prototyping – modifications and up dates follow up – at so on until production!

Continue Reading