A few weeks ago, we featured formfreu.de as our Web of the Week.  This blog has generated quite a buzz in design circles, most notably for its amazing photos and great attention to detail.  Formfreu is the brainchild of German designers Thomas Sälzle and Markus Haub.  They recently took a quick time out to talk to Car Design Fetish about their process, their vision, and what drives them as designers…

CDF:  Tell us a bit about your backgrounds.  Where are you from, and where did you go to school?

Markus Haub: I am from Mainz, near Frankfurt. I studied Transportation Design with Thomas at the University of Applied Sciences in Pforzheim. That‘s where we met back in 1993. Thomas is from Ulm in the South of Germany.

CDF:  Were you both always this interested in cars, or is this a passion that built over the years?

Thomas Sälzle: Yes, for sure. My passion for cars started with toys. I was always collecting car brochures from various local dealers my dad took me to. I remember the 1983 Fiat Uno having a big visual impact on me. The car was so different from all the other cars on the street. So clean, so light…

M: I‘ve always liked cars. I read all the magazines I could get, especially about sports cars like Ferraris or Lamborghinis. I was about 12 or 13 years old when I started drawing them. First I copied existing cars, then I started my own creations. I still have them stored somewhere.

T: I think I was sketching doodles in the magazines on top of the photos. This means I was transforming three-box-cars, for example, into fastbacks or station wagons or doing some kind of restyling (laughs).

CDF:  What provided the impetus for you to start FORMFREU.DE ?

M. : We always travel to all kinds of events and take pictures. The amount of photos was just getting bigger and bigger, so we were looking for a way to archive and share these photos.

T: There are so many cool things to capture – architecture, life in trendy cities like Berlin and Barcelona, fashion shows, some hip happenings, and of course, cars.

M: I remember talking about the project for a long time. One night out at a bar in Wiesbaden, the idea and the name was born. FORMFREU.DE, which means something like the enjoyment of shape. But also plays with the DE ending. The blog provides the perfect format for our idea.

T: That was the Haltbar Pub at Neugasse in Wiesbaden. We should go back there one day. I haven’t been in a while.

CDF:  The depth of your blog’s content is quite amazing.  How many people do you have working on your site?

M: Basically it’s just the two of us. Sometimes we have friends and contributors who provide us with special reports, like Simon Grand from Turin or Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani from Rome.

T: Fabrizio recently sent us some amazing pictures of Mille Miglia cars in an underground parking garage in Rome. Super cool!!

CDF:  What kind of cameras are you using to capture these photos?  Do you use any special lenses?

M: No, nothing special. I only used a small Casio Exilim and a Canon PowerShot for years. Just recently I bought a Nikon D5000. That increased the quality of the images quite a bit, but in general, I think that the camera is not the important thing. It’s the eye for the object and the situation.

T: Markus convinced me to buy the Nikon, too. And I love it! I am also surprised about the quality of pictures done with the iPhone. Somehow, they have a special feeling about them.

CDF:  Many of your galleries are presented in portrait format.  Is there a specific reason you tend to favor this orientation?

T: Maybe it’s just different and unexpected…Cars are usually photographed in horizontal format. Sometimes we focus more on details and composition. I like it better this way.

CDF:  When you attend a show or a gathering, what do you two look for when you’re taking photographs?  What catches your eye?

M: I try to look for the beauty in the object. The composition of the photo is very important. The backround, the sharpness, the color. The object itself becomes sometimes secondary. Beauty is everywhere..

T: Perfect explanation, Markus.  (smiles)

CDF:  How many events do you cover in a given year?

M: We don‘t count or plan. We usually attend Geneva, Frankfurt and Paris as car designers. But there are also classic car shows and other events. We don‘t go always together. Thomas lives in Germany and I live in Barcelona, so we also cover our local events. This way we get a large variety of stuff. Basically, it’s just a hobby.

CDF:  Are there any places or events that you haven’t visited that you’re dying to see?

M: I would really like to go to Goodwood Festival of Speed.  I have been to the Le Mans Classic, the Mille Miglia, the Pebble Beach Concours d elegance, but not Goodwood.  Someday…  And I would love to go to New York again. Last time I visited there was almost 10 years ago, so it’s time to go again.

T: We should definitely try to make the Mille Miglia next year.

CDF:  What has the reaction been to your work since the site was founded?

M: We‘ve gotten a lot of good feedback and we’ve also made some interesting contacts — like the guys from the German INTERSECTION magazine. Now we collaborate with them, write articles and share photos.

T: Every month our number of visitors grows – and it’s people from all over the world. The success also requires a lot of discipline our side in order to feed the website regularly with cool stuff.

CDF:  Of all the photo collections you’ve posted, do you have any personal favorites?

M: I liked our recent series of posts about the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (see below). We had so much great material that we had to devide it into several sub-categories.

T: Markus took some amazing pictures at Hockenheim and the Nurburgring (see below).

I remember some exciting moments taking photos of the Bierpinsel building in Berlin or visiting the former Tempelhof Airport. These places are full of history.  Berlin is so inspirational to me. The best pictures are still on my harddisk and are waiting to be published! (laughs)

CDF:  Have you considered publishing a hardcover book of your photographs, as a sort of coffee table book?

M: Yes, this is still one of our favorite ideas. It‘s nice to have all the photos on the web, but we think a book would be a nice thing to have. We also thought about a magazine or even an exhibition. There are so many possibilities.

T: I think a book would be an interesting challenge; we could mix up pictures so there’s some cool and unexpected dialogue inbetween them. Markus and I also have a second project in the pipeline. We have been collecting hundreds of old pictures from flea markets that show people with their cars. Most of them are black and white. Taking photos at that time was only for very special moments. So you can really see the pride of the people in front of their own cars.  We would like to evaluate these moments and emotions and put together something really stunning.

CDF:  The bulk of your work concerns classic automotive details.  What are your feelings about the details found on automobiles sold today?

M:  Most of them are not so interesting. But maybe that‘s because you see them a lot on the street. Classic car details are rarer.

CDF:  What role or purpose do you believe details should play in the world of auto design today?

M: It’s not the main thing, but a nice car with bad detailing is a pity. On the other hand, nice details won’t help a bad car. The design should be coherent.  The love that went into the designing of the car should be apparent as well.

CDF:  Of all the auto companies out there, who do you think really understands the role that detail plays in design?

M: I think that Audi or Porsche pay a lot of attention to details and quality in general. Recently, I also found nice details on Ferraris, which are usually lacking in that respect. I remember the doorhandle of the Fiat Barchetta. Everybody talked about it. Or the Mini swichtes on the center console.

CDF: Who are your favorite automotive designers, past and present?

T: My heros are Hans Ledwinka (the man behind the streamlined Tatras of the 30s) and, of course, Giorgetto Giugiaro. From my times at Fiat I remember in particular Mike Robinson, today’s head of Stile Bertone – a great character and fantastic coach, encouraging and stimulating his designers with care and respect for their creativity.

M: If I have to pick one, it’s probably Giorgetto Giugiaro. The amount of great concepts and designs he’s done is just amazing, especially in the 70s. The Maserati Boomerang, the Bora, the BMW M1, the Lotus Esprit.. But also the De Tomaso Mangusta, or the De Lorean DMC-12 in the 80s. Or the Alfa Romeo Brera in 2002. I also had the luck to work at Design Center Europe (Volkswagen Group) with some outstanding designers, which I admire a lot. Jean-Pierre Ploue (who did the Renault Argos or Laguna concepts back in the 90s and the Renault Twingo I. He is today head of design at Citroen/Peugeot). Another designer was Davide Arcangeli, who has unfortunately passed away. He had an outstanding sense of proportion and volume and a beautiful drawing style. He designed the BMW 5er (E60) or the Peugeot 406 Coupe from 1996. I learned a lot from both, not least of which from their character. Later, while working at Renault I met fantastic designers like Stephane Janin, Francois Leboine or David Durand …there are so many more I could mention.

CDF:  Your tastes seem to be very wide ranging and eclectic, but are there any designs that you simply cannot stand?

M:  Carwise, I really dont like the Citroen Picasso (1999) and I never understood how it could be successful in the marketplace.  Also, some american cars of the 80s and 90s. It’s not my taste.

CDF:  What’s in the near future for FORMFREU.DE ?  Do you have a list of shows to attend this summer?

M: In the summer I will be in Germany, mainly. We will take part in the famous Sachsen Classic Rallye in August. I will also try to go to the Oldtimer GT at Nurburgring and some other events. And the Paris Motor Show is in October.

T: I am really looking forward to my trip to Berlin this week. The DMY Design Festival is taking place in the hangars of the former Tempelhof Airport, and there’s also the ILA Berlin Air Show in Schönefeld. And Berlin Fashion Week is coming soon…

CDF:  Do either of you have any advice for future or aspiring car designers?

M: I teach at the Instituto Europeo di Design school in Barcelona, so that question comes up often.  I think that they really, really have to love what they do. They also need talent, a good knowlege of cars and whats going on the the design field. You have to be aware of what the top level students are doing these days and what you will have to do to compete with them for a job. Its an international business, so good english is necessary. You might get a job outside of your home country.

CDF:  Will we see either of you in Detroit anytime soon?

M: I have no plans so far. It would be a big trip for me, and the Detroit show has lost a bit of its importance recently. But I have a good friend there, so that might be a good reason.

CDF:  Thank you both very much.

*all images used with the kind permission of formfreu.de

Birth of the Avanti  (approx 31 min B&W/Color)

One morning, Art Center graduate Tom Kellogg was awoken by an unexpected phone call.  A voice on the other end said, “Theese eese Raymond Loewy. Would you like to design a sport car with me?”  Not sure of what to say, Kellogg simply answered, “Yes.”  And thus began one of the most interesting collaborations in auto design history.  Birth of the Avanti takes an in-depth look at the design process and personalities that gave life to this timeless classic – through the eyes of one of its key contributors.

In the early 60s, Studebaker was a company in financial crisis.  Sherwood Egbert, their new president, was intent on coming out with a landmark product. One which would show people that Studebaker was back.  So, he turned to the man who had defined the Studebaker look so many times before, Mr. Raymond Loewy.  But this landmark product wasn’t going to be developed in South Bend or Detroit.  In a brilliant move, Loewy assembled his design team out in Palm Springs, California.  For the next five weeks in a rented desert house, a group of four men developed a scale model that would eventually become the Avanti.  Kellogg explains that they were inspired by the unusual landscape, the local girls and the burgeoning hot rod culture.  Clearly, this inspiration was a critical part of their design process.

Kellogg goes on to say that Loewy was an excellent “baton waver”, which means that he was skilled at directing the car’s design process.  Indeed, he wanted his design staff to express their own opinions and ideas rather than simply carry out his wishes.  After the five weeks, the team disbanded — hopeful that their hard work would become an automotive reality. Then, one day, Kellogg got another phone call.  This time from a Mercedes dealer, telling him an Avanti would be arriving at the airport.  Kellogg went to the airport, unsure of what he would find. To his delight, there were his sketches, come to life.

Birth of the Avanti also contains one bonus feature:  An original promotional short, intended to inform Studebaker dealers about the Avanti’s selling points.  To order this one-of-a-kind DVD, simply visit the Studebaker National Museum website.

Jaguar recently invited us to see the new XJ and have a chat with Design Director Ian Callum.  The conversation spanned a variety of topics like childhood, Jaguars’ future and the future of automobile design.  Ian was great to talk to with a laid back personality and a true love for the Jaguar brand.

Check out the podcast for the full interview.

More pics and opinions of the design after the jump.

Overall the car has a nice volume to it with full uninterrupted surfaces.  It has a richness to it on the sense of scale.

This car has already had its fair share of opinions with the controversial C pillar, but I think there are other larger issues with the design.  During our time spent with Ian we stayed around the rear of the car for 90% of the time.  I think this reflects well on the design of the car.  My point being that the front and rear do not speak very well to each other.   Ian was very proud of the rear end and admitted that the team spent a lot of time focusing on the back of the car.  What about the front?

The rear is very different from the XK but the front looks very similar.  If you are trying to keep the design different then the XK you should probably start on the part of the car you usually see first.  My other issue is the character line running over the rear fender and down into the tail lights.  In my opinion the rear of the car begins to look like it is falling off.  This effect is emphasized by the tear drop DLO graphic pointing down at the rear.

The interior is nicely done with everything wrapped in leather and beautiful wood trim.  The most notable features are the digital and customizable gauges and the large HVAC vents.  The vents are reminiscent of cars from the fifties IMO and are well crafted with actual metal and a blue glow from behind the vent director.

Ian summed the design up best by saying “you have to see it on the road to get the full impact.”  I agree, for after seeing it I am on the fence about some of the chosen directions.  The XJ will start rolling out in early 2010.

Press Release Summary

ALL NEW JAGUAR XJ – IN SUMMARY

The all new Jaguar XJ brings a daring new spirit to automotive luxury. Sleek, sporting and sophisticated, it offers a seductive mix of striking design, breathtaking performance, refined luxury and sophisticated engineering.

Building on the success of the new XK and XF models, the introduction of the all new XJ is a landmark for the revitalized Jaguar brand. Clearly positioned as the company’s ultimate four-door flagship, it extends the appeal of the legendary XJ line to a new generation of customers.

Jaguars are renowned for their elegant, sporting lines and the all new XJ, with its fluid, contemporary style, is the boldest interpretation yet of Design Director Ian Callum’s vision for Jaguar in the 21st century.

A panoramic glass roof is an integral part of the all new XJ’s design, enabling the car to have a lower, more streamlined roofline, while dramatically enhancing the feeling of light and space inside.

Standard and long wheelbase models are available from launch. The long wheelbase offers an even more sumptuous and refined environment for rear-seat passengers with an additional 5 inches of legroom. The XJ’s largest-in class trunk features power opening and closing for convenient access to the 18.4 cu. ft. storage space.

The all new XJ cabin blends elegant, contemporary design with the comfort, luxury and unmistakable sporting style of a Jaguar. Chrome and piano black detailing provides an eye-catching contrast to the beautifully-crafted leather and veneer surfaces.

To complement the all new cabin design is a level of choice in colors, veneers and leathers not seen before in a Jaguar.  The four models – XJ, XJL, Supercharged and Supersport – blend together the different elements to allow the customer to tailor the car to suit their personal tastes.  The ultimate expression of this is the Supersport model, available by custom order only, with specification including a leather roof-lining, semi-aniline leather seats and veneers with laser inlays.

Advanced new technologies have allowed Jaguar’s interior designers to create an environment more akin to a state-of-the-art living space than a simple car cabin. Stunning, 12.3-inch high-definition Virtual Instruments complement the 8-inch Touch-screen, which displays vehicle functions.

Premium surround sound options include the top-of-the-range 1200-watt Bowers & Wilkins system which is comparable in audio quality to the world’s best in-home entertainment. Advanced infotainment features also include hard drive-based audio and navigation systems, and comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via the powerful Media Hub.

The all new XJ’s beauty is much more than skin-deep: it is constructed using Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminum body technology, which makes the XJ lighter than its rivals by at least 300lbs. These technologies – now developed into an even more impressive new generation of the XJ – provides benefits to performance, handling and fuel economy, while delivering increased strength, refinement and safety.

Proven Jaguar dynamic technologies are taken to new levels in the all new XJ. Features such as air suspension, Adaptive Dynamics (continuously variable damping), Active Differential Control and quick-ratio power steering deliver the blend of responsive, dynamic handling and refined, supple ride expected from a Jaguar.

The all new XJ benefits from the most advanced powertrains ever in a Jaguar, combining high performance with fuel efficient technologies such as direct injection. In the U.S. market, customers will have a choice of three engines based on model, all coupled to a shift-by-wire, six-speed automatic transmission controlled by the JaguarDrive Selector™ or steering wheel-mounted paddles:

• 5.0-liter 385hp AJ-V8 Gen III naturally aspirated direct-injection V8 – 0-60mph in 5.4 secs (0-100kph in 5.7 secs), in the XJ and XJL models
• 5.0-liter 470hp AJ-V8 Gen III supercharged direct-injection V8 – 0-60mph in 4.9 secs (0-100kph in 5.2 secs), in the XJ Supercharged and XJL Supercharged models
• 5.0-liter 510hp AJ-V8 Gen III supercharged direct-injection V8 – 0-60mph in 4.7 secs (0-100kph in 4.9 secs), in the XJ Supersport  and XJL Supersport models

In the U.S., the all new XJ can be ordered now. Delivery of first customer cars will begin in early 2010.

• Jaguar has built upon its leading quality performance using the latest ‘virtual’ product development technologies. This approach features an obsessive attention to detail, with almost 40,000 quality-specific assessments during the development stage.
• The all new XJ brings new standards of sustainability to the luxury vehicle segment. The lightweight aluminum structure – with 50 percent recycled material – underpinned by a lifecycle approach to vehicle design and manufacture, enables the all new XJ to minimize its carbon footprint. This alone creates a potential savings of three tons of CO₂ per vehicle, compared to a bodyshell made from new aluminum.
• The Jaguar brand has been acknowledged with a joint first ranking in a vehicle dependability study in 2009. Jaguar’s obsessive attention to quality and service has also resulted in #1 rankings in sales satisfaction and customer service.
• The all new XJ offers extremely attractive cost of ownership with impressive fuel economy across the range, high predicted residual values and 15,000-mile service intervals.

Here is an interesting interview of J Mays by Re*Move.  J talks about the future of car design and the process of which it will be done.  It is an encouraging perspective and one that you can’t argue with since Ford is the only domestic OEM not being paid by the tax payers.

Re*Move – Joseph Simpson and Mark Charmer talk to J Mays – Ford’s Global Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer – about the Lincoln C Concept Car, design thinking at Ford and the future of car design in general.

Thanks for the link @JoeSimpson

In case you didn’t know Local Motors is currently running a competition to design a Detroit based vehicle.  Who better to ask than the guys at CDf of what their thought is on a vehicle for the Big “D.”   Ari from Local Motors interviewed us for about 30 minutes of which most of it is good value add insight (the rest of it consist of bad jokes and crunching potato chips).  You can check it out here or head over to Local Motors where the first entries for the competition are starting to pop up.

Here is the link to the Detroit Motors Competition.  Check it out and enter, deadline is May 5th.

Our friends at ID Sketching have posted a great interview with Rob Jensen, the Ford designer responsible for the 2009 Shelby GT500, among some other great vehics.

Jensen speaks a little about his background and some of his projects, but the real meat of the interview is based around the Design process at Ford.

Have a gander by clicking the header or following the link!

(Images courtesy IDSketching.com)