ID [PNW]

Martini_Mustang:  This is the rendering for a custom Mustang that was unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show.  It won Ford’s Best of Show award at that event. Automotive design in the Pacific Northwest? I normally think of Detroit or southern California when vehicle design is concerned, but some industrial designers are breaking the convention, doing it here, and finding their own way. As is the case with Tavis Highlander , he didn't go to Art Center or to CCS, he went to Western Washington  University  for ID. Talent is not restricted to geography or to school. He tells his story:             “The automotive world and particularly the automotive aftermarket has always been one of my greatest interests since I was a kid.  I liked it so much that I set my sights on making a living within that industry.  It was at WWU that I took the first steps towards that goal by creating a unique junior year i...

Chevrolet Tru 140s concept IDSA Mideast Design Dialogue, Detroit. This conference looks like a lot of fun.   And especially interesting is a session by two women designers at General Motors , Teckla Rhoads and Susan Skarsgard. "This presentation shares the largely untold, surprising story that highlights the critical role women have played in automotive design at General Motors. Beginning with the trailblazing women in the 50s up through GM's current team of women designers, the presentation highlights the great opportunities existing today for aspiring young women designers in the field of industrial design. Guest designers will include Teckla Rhoads, director, GM Global Industrial Design and Susan Skarsgard, manager, Design Archive and Special Collections, GM Global Industrial Design.  " Rebuilding The Region With Design -- It's About a Whole Lot More Than Just Cars . That's the tag line theme, but what's wrong with talking about cars?  They a...

1959 Cadillac Tailfin - photo by Christer Johansson I've been digging through the archives at the Teague Design office in Seattle, hoping to find the story of his life for a biography and documentary.  Once in  awhile I find some gems that are worth sharing.  This quote is from Teague's "The Responsibilities of the Industrial Designer," An Address by WDT to the Detroit Chapter, Industrial Designers Institute. Published in Road & Track, January 1960. In regards to american car styling of the late 1950's when the tail fins grew to extreme heights: "[I am] definitely and unreservedly hostile to recent trends in American automobile design... I agree heartily with millions of others that our characteristic car design has in recent years become lousy, ugly, vulgar, ostentatious, impractical, and excessively costly..."   "In my opinion, Detroit got into trouble because it got out of step with the rest of American industry and the taste of the ...

It looks like Nissan will beat the major automakers to the market with an affordable fully electric car, the Leaf. You can read more technical specs at the Wired blog. Design Critique The challenge for designing a new car that has unique technology inside is whether to make it look different and unique or not. The GM Volt takes the approach to look like a modern muscle car with a large bonnet signifying a giant powerful motor within, even though it may not require such space. The Prius has a distinctive look that is now associated with being a "green" vehicle. Even the new Honda Insight looks like a Prius at a glance, although the original Insight was quite different and more aerodynamically efficient. The Nissan Leaf resembles other new 4 door hatchbacks like the Honda Fit or Yaris, but with a few slower reverse curves as surface creases. The front hood slopes down to the bumper almost tangentially to the windshield. The allows for great visibility, but also implies th...