Design From the Mouths of Designers.
Batmobile Design Competition: WINNER!
Congratulations to Paul Denton for winning the Batmobile Design Competition! Paul's rendering, seen above, captures that "bad ass" feel of the Dark Knight: it's moody, menacing, and full of drama. ...
CDF's Batmobile Design Contest
CarDesignFetish knows that you like cool cars. We also know that you like to sketch cool cars. What happens when you put the two together? A really cool design contest, that's what!
We're...
Dwayne Vance: Design and Render Vehicles Online Course...
Superstar Designer/Artist (and friend of CDF) Dwayne Vance is hosting an online class for rendering vehicles in Photoshop and Painter. This Thursday, March 3rd at 2PM EST (11PST) Dwayne will be hosting...
Sketch P*rn: February Edition
February is over, and that means more awesome sketches were released in the month. Point your eyeballs here for great digital work from Volkswagen, pencil sketches from Renault, sketches over photos...
How to Make Cute Cars
Cars that share the general traits of a baby’s face trigger the ‘Isn’t it cute’ response in consumers.
The Fiat 500 is the latest in a long line of "cute cars." So what is it about cars...
Category : Production Car, Tutorial, Websites
Our good friend Michele Leonello has posted another helpful tutorial for those who are looking to learn the basics of drawing cars. This one employs a simple grey marker technique to depict a classic vehicle, the GT40. Click the image above to see Michele’s process from start to finish.
This year at NAIAS, Chevrolet officially took the wraps off of the new Aveo Sonic. (Yes, we know: we still don’t like the name either.)
The redesign of GM’s key subcompact was a lengthy process, and the Bowtie has been kind enough to post a video interview with John Mack, Design Director, and Allen Kim, Lead Designer, about what drove the direction for the vehicle. From its motorcycle-influenced cluster to the jet-turbine vents, the Designers speak about several of the key decision points.
It’s only about two minutes long, but should provide a good idea as to some of what made the new vehicle a 180-degree turn from the previous generation Aveo.
Free video streaming by Ustream
Our friends at Autoline are back with some terrific NAIAS coverage yet again! This year, they have two full days of coverage with interviews, first looks, and late-breaking news from the show floor. Expect to see some reveals, interviews with Designers, and more as the team works its butt off to make the show a great one.
Join in on Monday and Tuesday for live video coverage and chat from 12:30PM EST until 2PM EST.
In a previous installment, we chronicled the ups and downs of the Djet, one of Matra’s forays into the small sports car market. This is the Djet’s successor, the 530.
Very few individuals can hold the title of “Legendary Automotive Designer”. Chuck Jordan was one of those.
This past Thursday, Dec 9th, Mr Jordan passed away at the age of 83. Jordan was best known for an incredible career at General Motors, spanning 5 decades from 1949 until 1992, and culminating with his appointment as just the fourth ever VP of Design within the company in 1986.
He was influential in the magical era of vehicle design (50s-60s) and brought General Motors to the forefront in the 1980s and 1990s. One of his most famous creations, the 1956 Buick Centurion, is still regarded as one of the greatest of the General’s concept vehicles.
Chuck Jordan will be missed. RIP.
[via Autoblog]
[Image credit: NY Times]
Category : Big 3, Business, Fetishing, Production Car
Getting a name right for a product is a crucial detail for effective marketing. At least I think so, but maybe it isn’t. Chevrolet just announced that the next Aveo will be called Sonic. Maybe I am wrong but that doesn’t seem to be a move in the right direction. I agree the Aveo name was non-repairable but c’mon, Sonic?
Small cars are trying to make a come back by creating a perception that they are not cheap little econo boxes. When you hear the word Sonic you immediately think of two things…look above. Cheap fast food and a game character targeted to six year olds does not paint a good image for someone coming out of college and ready to build their life up. Maybe high schoolers will like it since they work there, but Sonic does not pay enough for them to actually buy the car.
I guess if the price is right and the fuel economy is there people will still buy it regardless. But I don’t see many buyers aspiring to say Hey, Check out my Sonic…..
Category : Big 3, Crit, Fetishing, Production Car
Polishing a Turd is a common expression in design school. This happens when you try and do a hot rendering over a horrible drawing. You can’t cover up a bad structure with a pretty covering. I think everyone will agree the Jeep Compass is a turd of a design. Well Jeep has been doing some polishing. This new refresh is a much needed improvment, but there is still a ways to go…
Category : Big 3, Design, Fetishing, Production Car
Jeep is doing all the right things refreshing their line up. The new Wranglers interior is far better than then the old and now the Patriot is following along. What I want to point out on the Patriots’ refresh is the best use of body cladding ever. Yes body cladding. Remember it used to be the only way to differentiate vehicles between brands. Well hit the jump and see why the Patriot is becoming the modern day Cherokee.
Category : Autoshows, Big 3, Fetishing, News, Production Car
Well maybe it is and maybe not, but one thing is for sure. I have seen the better looking Opel Insignia Sports Tourer driving around a lot lately. Not just the same one over and over again either. All different colors in a variety of locations. This usually means one thing, its coming. I won’t be surprised if it shows up at this years Detroit Auto Show. Station wagons Sports Tourers have been a tough sell in the states but I think Americans are beginning to unknowingly cave in to the idea. I will leave the rest of that theory for a later post. Pictured above is the bulked up Regal GS version which better make it if GM plans to liven up Buick.
More pics after the jump of the tamer version…
Mini has always had the most fun and creative marketing group. Here is yet another example taking advantage of people standing around staring at an empty conveyor belt. This would be the first time I would actually enjoy waiting for my luggage which is of course always the last one to come off the plane. I can’t figure out why other brands have not taken some notes from Mini. Oh wait, I know. No other brand has a fun factor to it.
[pic via Cool Hunter]
