Car Design Fetish

Global cars and parts sharing are the way of the future.  It could go great (Ford is showing a good example of this in design) and it could go wrong (Toyota failures across multiple vehicles), but one thing is for sure.  It is the future and the only way to be competitive.  Another area needed to be competitive is the new premium small car bubble which is blowing up.  Mini has developed and owned this spot but now Audi is getting into the mix.  So who would be next to enter into this class?  BMW of course, oh and by the way they own Mini.  Do you see where I am going with this?

The next Mini platform will be designed so it could be shared with BMW producing a vehicle below the 1 Series.  This sketch from MotoringFile shows a nice interpretation of the new design language led by the new 7 Series.  So as Mini gets bigger, BMW is getting smaller.  There will be no rear wheel drive and mostly likely will not make the swim over here.  So look for it in pictures come 2013.

[source & pic MotoringFile]

The Mercedes-Benz F 800 has style written over it, no really they even included it in the name.  So it must be stylish, right?  You should be able to come up with an attractive vehicle when you combine Audi, BMW and the new swoops of Hyundai.  Yes I just threw in Hyundai when talking about a Benz.  It is exciting though to see a relatively stodgy brand create a vehicle with such emotional surfacing.  The future is looking bright and curvaceous for the brand with the biggest front emblem.

The basic theme lines of the car are nothing really new but are executed in a precise manner.  The complex surfacing looks like Bangle stopped by to touch one more car.  If everything in between these lines was simplified the vehicle would result in a much classier execution.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Limited Edition 2010 Rendered Hope Charity Calendar is about to finish printing.  There is only 2 weeks left to order!  This year’s calendar has already been a great success and surpassed last year’s sales.  The children at the Detroit Children’s Hospital are grateful.

Just a reminder that the calendar is full of transportation artwork from designers across the country and 100% of the profits go to the Children’s Hospital. This will truly be a collectors edition showing Sangyup Lee”s last sketches from GM.   He is now Chief Exterior Designer for VW at the Santa Monica Studio.

Click here to order yours today!!

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1402)

Press Release after the jump….

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s here!!!  The 2010 Rendered Hope Charity Calendar featuring transportation artwork from professional designers.  This years calendar has a great mix of work from OEM, Hot Rod and Entertainment Designers.  There is feature artwork from the hot Camaro, Corvette Stingray Concept, Scott Robertson’s crazy ships, west coast Hot Rods and more!

Just like last year 100% of the profits will go toward buying Hot Wheels and toys for the Detroit Children’s Hospital annual Snow Pile Event.  This is a great cause that you surely want to support.

Head on over to our store at Cafe Press and buy the gift that gives 12 times a year!  This is a large calendar too at 11″ x 17″ with thick card stock and full bleed printing.  Very high quality.

The calendar is a limited edition print and will be on sale now through the end of the year.  So spread the word and get it while you can!

Buy It Here!

Here is a fresh dose of Automotive Sketch P*rn.  Enjoy the selection of loose sketches/ renderings to more dramatic paintings.  We will start off with the sketch of the new Fiesta.  Tomorrow we will be heading to Ford to review the new U.S. production version due out early next year.  Stay tuned for our review on it.  For now enjoy the P*rn!

Read the rest of this entry »

We all know the amazing Syd Mead and all that he has brought to pleasure our eyes.  I came across an interview done by Adam Craft from InspireID.com.  Craft was able to speak to Mead about his vision before he puts pen to paper and how he immerses himself into the subject matter.  You can check it out here.  It is an interesting read but what really caught my attention is the slides how that was also provided.

It is also great to see a Master with 50 years experience let you in on his process.  His renderings always put you into a different world with his attention to detail and dramatic renderings.  Enjoy this slide show documenting Meads’ masterful rendering process.

While not sketches, per se, this latest video trailer for the upcoming Forza Motorsport 3 game is undoubtedly car porn.  Featuring my personal favorite vehicle to cause mayhem in, the V10 Audi R8, the teaser showcases some of the incredible in-game racing video.

And in case you’re wondering:  Yes, I already have it pre-ordered.  XBox Live Gamertag: kewlrats

There isn’t really much to say about today’s Sketch P*rn, other than it is the GREATEST COLLECTION OF CAR SKETCHES IN THE HISTORY OF EVER.

There, now that my initial glee has subsided feel free to have a look at this incredible collection of sketches courtesy of Marek Simko that includes work from designers, students, and enthusiasts across the industry.  From initial hand sketches to glossy renderings and everywhere in between, Simko’s wall of wonder is a great source of inspiration and technique.

My personal favorites include some of the BMW form studies, the highly-technical Audi illustrations, and the marker & ink work that appears ready to be hung on a wall.

Simko also coagulates his vast collection of sketches into a semi-regular (and limited-edition) art magazine for sale.  Carr Magazine includes high-quality versions of the sketches on his website, and makes for some great coffee-table fodder.

Check it out at www.simkom.com/sketchsite

Recent CCS grad Dave Owsen has posted his renderings to Coroflot for the Hyundai Swap concept, a vehicle whose interior is hot-swappable.  Using simple linework and shading, with color only where needed, Owsen’s sketches pop off the page.  The renderings are almost whimsical in nature:  the vehicle comes alive, is friendly, and has a nice stance all with his use of clean graphic breakups.

The thick linework has an almost cartoon feel to it, and coupled with more detailed renderings for the interior create shots that are nice design studies without overdoing it.  Students: sometimes you don’t need to go balls to the wall with a rendering.  Leave a little to our imaginations.

More images after the break.  [via core77 and Owsen's Coroflot page]

Read the rest of this entry »

Here is a great article writen by Brian from Problem Child Customs (PCK) talking about the lack of excitement in photochops and 3d models that we see all too often in car design.  What about the emotional sketch?  This is where “Gonzo” comes in.  Read on to find out about Gonzo Design.  This is something we all need to get back to…..

Gonzo Hot Rod Design

19 JUN 09- Some years ago, I was introduced to the work of a journalist named Hunter S. Thompson. Bear in mind that this “introduction” came at a pivotal point in my creative career, and I was completely drawn to his style of not only writing, but his almost renegade technique of forming a story. Here was a journalist who not only covered the news at hand, but worked in a personal angle, often thrusting himself so deeply into the event he was covering so as to alter its outcome! “Absolute brilliance”, I thought! Not mere “coverage” or “reporting”, but LIVING it! This was just too much… This guy GOT it! To a student of Fine art, this was the epitome of “creating” anything: the EXPERIENCE… being a PART of what you’re creating!

Read the rest of this entry »