Becoming A Professional Car Designer In 2021...
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- World renowned supercar designer, Frank Stephenson, gives his tips on how to break into the design industry.
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Hi all,
Something slightly different this week. I've received what feels like hundreds of comments and emails asking for my guidance on the best way to 'break into the automotive industry'. In this episode I have tried my best my to answer that question not only from my own experience but also from my perspective on the industry as a whole and the future of design in general.
I hope it can be of some benefit to you!
Best,
Frank
Archive footage from documentary 'Chasing Perfect' available on all digital/physical stores!
#FrankStephenson #TheDesignIndustry #TurningProfessional - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I've received what feels like hundreds of comments and emails asking for my guidance on the best way to 'break into the automotive industry'. In this episode I have tried my best my to answer that question not only from my own experience but also from my perspective on the industry as a whole and the future of design in general.
I'm 15 years old and I want to be a car designer .So is there still scope that this industry will survive till I complete my education?
Can you make a video about how to get women?
Thanks for this great content Frank.
My question is, is there really a chance of anyone getting recognition of a company online eg:instagram, facebook, linkedIN ?
Funny, that you‘ve also come across the competition mind set during your design studies. I still remember the transportation design guys, who constantly sat together to take a look at the drawings of the others to copy or be better. I always found that strange. This only seems to be the case in automotive design, NOT in industrial design as there, a more collaborative approach is pursued and teached. I think the big boards can only be drilled collaboratively, if you know what I mean. Greetings from a freelance designer, therefore, I liked your last statement very much!
“Before you surrender yourself to being an employee of a company, see what you can create for yourself.” Yes Sir! I'm so glad I went that route. Fantastic message Frank, I hope more people take it to heart. It's all there in today's world. It's available to you. As long as you're willing to put in the work.
Cheers man! 👍
Hey i Watch you redesigns too on your channel great work!
I watch and appreciate both channels. Maybe you'd be interested in a crossover and doing something interesting together. Like trying to redesign the same car or discussing a design you might have opposite opinion on. Anyway best wishes to both of you.
I remember as a student, we didn’t have these resources (like the sketch Monkey and Frank and many others videos.). Its a great time to get inspired by accomplished professionals and go for our dreams and create beautiful forms!
My dream is to design and build a kit car someday for the Indian market. Something that will be eye catching like the lancia stratos Zero concept and perfect to take your fellow companion in.
I worked with Frank at The Rover Group in the mid to late 90s. We were both based in the design studio. I was the surface engineer working in ICEMsurf translating his designs into CAD. I was straight from university. I can honestly say he is the most approachable and charismatic car designer I have met met in my 25 years working for OEMs. I even have the thank you card you sent me written on a postcard of the Mk1 BMW mini concept. I’d guess that you won’t remember me but I’ll never forget you. Great videos Frank!
do you think it'd be possible that he'd want to work for my game company to design hundreds of all types of vehicles and a large variety of customization parts to go with them? frank seems to have an amazing grasp on every type of vehicle design from past to present to future and i'd love to have him be my lead vehicle designer. (i'm scared to see how large his paycheck would have to be haha. but i'll happily pay whatever it takes)
This is real. Every professional needs to hear this.
In the age of information, it's all about getting the right information. And that's the one Frank is dropping, not even asking for anything in return except for us to reflect a bit. Only love for this channel, I hope it keeps growing.
odd to see you here XD
@@lennartstip6395 right?
I love designing objects and furniture, sketching cars, and sometimes I dream that the sketches could become real someday and I could touch them with my bare hands, that’s the reason why, I will keep going on, and I’ll reach my goal.
try making prototypes and perfecting them.
Agreed with Bandito: put the time into learning the crafting methods to make your own designs.
You'll get there if you keep putting in the effort and pushing your abilities!
@@tinydiccbandito4953 I want to make my own clay model never done it before any recommendations?
Same like you but can reach that goal without going college ??
im not even going to lie, this video made me re-question things i have been doing. I really wanted to go to art center, and for the past few years i have been trying hard with the portfolio. I have been rejected twice, but still working on there, because I want to be a car designer, and at the best school there is. This video really makes me question do i need to go there anymore to be a designer.
Understand you completely but then please show some of your work in a link for example.
Coming from someone that took three failed applications to get into a good design school, trust me it's worth it in the end. As frank said, the competition is HUGELY beneficial and is still very high today
I was rejected once from my first university (Industrial Design in Denmark), I reapplied and got in. Then after 2 years I realized it didn't lead me where I wanted, so I went another few years figuring out where I actually wanted to go in life. Now I'm finishing my transportation design thesis at a Design university in Italy.
You never know where you end up, but as long as you don't give up you are going to end up somewhere sooner or later :)
I also tried to get into design university and got rejected twice. Maybe I didn't try hard enough or I'm just not fit to be designer... So just recently I ended up choosing to study mechanical engineering. Not that I gave up on wanting to designer but to get proper education on product design and physics so that maybe I would have wider understanding on what would be a good design. Well.. Time will tell.
@@itaresam what I've come to understand, is that most of the design schools evaluate application portfolios (and potential entry exams) from some key points:
1. Your approach to a project (observing potential problems and scenarios, analyzing them, creating a project brief off of those observations)
2. How you explore ideas and potential concept directions (do you arrive very quickly to a main idea, or do you have variety in your potential choices? Just showing a very quick ideation stage or simply just the end product is never a good idea. Unlike math and physics, design never has a singular straight answer. For that reason you need to show how and why you came to your final result -the process is just as important as the conclusion)
3. How do you develop your initial idea(s) (How do you go from your initial idea/thoughts, through a developing stage, before arriving at a more finalized product where end result is a clear result of your continuous analysis of your project brief, and showing your reasons for doing certain changes along the way)
4. How you visualize your ideas (sketching, painting, 3d and computer software, physical models, etc. there is no limit to how you visualize. The important thing is just that you make a conscious attempt at sharing as many of your thoughts as possible through whatever medium you're able to use. It can be paper models, clay, heck build it in Minecraft if nothing else works. The school is there to teach you what you lack, and I've seen countless people with zero drawing ability be enrolled to design schools -although the required minimum drawing level may depend on the school you apply to).
5. How you present your projects (are they easy to understand, well summarized, is there a good flow from beginning to end?)
6. Variety in projects you present in your portfolio (show your diversity and originality, and how you approach problems in multiple fields)
These are the main key factors for most university design schools, seen from personal experience as well as knowing multiple people studying at design schools all over the world (Sweden, Germany, UK, Italy, Denmark, and more).
My first job out of college was as a junior designer at Chrysler when it was located in Highland Park, MI. I was placed into the international design studio, working for Bob Hubbach, the designer of the first Dodge Viper. It was back in 1973 and Hal Pilkey was the Studio Chief, and Bill Dayton was the Division Chief. I learned a lot in this studio. On my first day, Hal took me out to lunch at a popular greasy spoon on Woodward Ave. called The Pretzel Bowl. During lunch, Hal looked at me and he said, "Listen up kid, do this and you'll do well in this business....."Be nice to the people you meet on the way up, because you'll meet 'em on the way down." I never forgot that. While we were eating, a gentleman walked into the restaurant and Hall flagged him over to our table. Hal introduced me, and then they started talking about their days when they were near my age at Auburn, Cord and Duesenburg. The guy that Hal had introduced me to was none other than Gordon Buehrig himself....I was, as they say, Gobsmacked. I worked in exterior studios mainly, but then transferred to interior studios in the Walter P. Chrysler building. I did well at Chrysler, but, unlike many of the other designers, I just didn't have "gasoline" in my veins... I left the industry and moved west and started in the fledgling High Tech industry at Hewlett Packard. My career there was fantastic and I entered early into the new technology of computer aided design and 3d modeling in 1987. I became a HP Intrapaneur....and traveled to many HP sites world wide to design on many strategic products....it was a great move for me. I finished the last 20 years in my design career self employed and it was a blast. My undergraduate school was at the Cleveland Institute of Art, then a Masters Degree at the University of Michigan, sponsored by Chrysler, and I also graduated from Art Center with a Masters Degree in New Media in 1998...... tough program for sure. Thanks for your words of wisdom to up and coming Auto designers....the business has changed so much, as AI is entering the mix. Markers, Pastels, Prisma Color Pencils seem so yesterday now. I've become proficient on Vizcom, Chat GPT and MidJourney....incredible results. Sorry I got long winded, but I sure did enjoy this podcast....thanks again.
I am a teenager i want to work in automotive design but I don't have money for design school now I am doing computer science.l want to ask can I get freelance work if I don't have a design in car design and work after my job
In 30 years, I imagine new materials and manufacturing processes will enable designs we would have trouble imagining today. Every car could be unique.
One of the concepts that has driven my life and career has been the potential resurrection of the coachbuilding trade, via advanced technologies, rekindled appreciation of craftsmanship, and the advent of modular vehicle platforms
This is inspiring to the hobbies I naturally have. It can be applied to anything . It makes me want to push harder and harder.Thanks.
After watching this episode
Greater me got more motive and more respect Frank's works
Lesser me want the rocket lava lamp,x-wing, hulk buster armor, cap'murica shield and that ferrari models
I don’t the talent for design, I can’t even draw, but I sure enjoy listening to brilliant people talking and gaining knowledge, hopefully we can meet up one day sir on whiskey of your choice😉
Thank you for yet another amazing video
Frank, I want to thank you for making this video. Currently, I’m in my final year of high school. I have applied to (and am applying) several universities with an emphasis in design. I would say your advice here really helps and makes a lot of sense!
Did you maded it? I hope you have made it because I'm trying to do that too.
Hey, how is it going ?!
@@MxC07 Yeah, made it to ArtCenter. I started last fall, took a year of their portfolio prep classes and never looked back.
Frank i didn´t knew u lived on spain, i love ur videos, Sigue haciendo tus excelentes videos frank!
Gracias José. Soy más español que otra cosa.
Love Syd Mead, had the privilege to see some of his paintings at Siggraph, just before he died, and they are unreal.
Screens don’t even do it justice. I had heard if him before but never really looked, but its incredible.
The self awareness comment is on point and crucial. The biggest problem for people is accepting their shortcomings and making a concerted effort to improve it. Criticising my work is something i do after every single project, large or small. The more it hurts, the more ground there is to be made up. Salute and keep the content coming
These videos are always interesting and professional!
I am currently studying Aeronautical Enegeering to learn about aerodynamic and other things. When i can choose my minor, i will go toward the designing part of the education.
My dream is to create my own cars with designs i made my self, but to get there i will first have to get some experience by working at other company's.
Learning from a Professional is something that will be extremely helpful and will help me achieve my dream.
I am really happy that i found this channel and i hope i can learn a lot from you!
Someone You Don't Know Good luck. I am finishing my career in aerospace. I have a creative side to me which has been invaluable. I could see the difference between my ideas and solutions versus those without this side.
Young frank looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger
When the full invasion started, I was in evacuation and was rethinking myself, I’ve been drawing since I am a kid, but when a school started getting harder I decided that I will become a dentist (I have doctors in my family line), and then after February 2022 I understood that if I won’t try to develop what I have from nature I would regret it, so I started drawing again and at the same time I started thinking about car designer path, because I love cars, I love those beautiful designs that are inspiring so many people, first it was so clumsy. But right now after two years I am in Arts university still improving my skills and I really often think if I really want to be a car designer, the path is not easy and sometimes I am struggling to get motivation, also Im a teenager in unstable world so I often think that I don’t know what I really want to do in this life. But yeah I love cars and I always have been drawing from my head, so new ideas are often there, but I’m so nervous and scared, although I understand that sometimes you just need to try to do what you can do and see where this path can bring you.
Couldn’t ask for any better topic for you to address. Thank you for your inspiration and experience sharing!
Up to a point all I wanted was to be a car designer but due to health and socio-economic reasons I was forced to put that aside as I could only dream of going abroad to study car design. I went down the route of mechanical design and then product design. I have worked as a mule and during the second year of masters got my shot at contributing to an actual vehicle design of a real company. I am really gratefull and currently working on a design proposal as part of my master thesis. It's not Mazda, Opel, Volvo, Ford or anything fancy as I have dreamed but it is close enough to call a success. I love the design and development process, I feel this is my purpose. Thank you for a wonderful video mr. Stephenson, really inspiring.
That background score really hit hard with the content!!!!
Great insight!
This video is so motivational. I'm so happy I stumbled upon this channel!
Frank, it’s fantastic you shared this. It’s natural to see successful people and want to be in their position. What people don’t see is how much hard work and sacrifice there is-hours and hours, even when you no longer want to, sacrificing your personal life, taking risks others around you are not, and with no real assurance or guarantee it’ll ever amount to anything. I think this is true in every industry. I appreciate your sharing this point of view to share it with others.
Valuable points indeed. I feel like some of the points brought out in this video were speaking to me. The challenges that I have faced in this industry has only motivated me to keep going!
I took a moment to think about this and my answer to "why do you want to be a car designer?" is probably the same as that of Batista "pinin" Farina: to leave a mark, a legacy, something that i could be associated with for decades to come, maybe one day there will be chats, forums or podcasts or even documentaries about Amine "Mino" Assal's designs, just something i could be remembered with.
perhaps that's what we all want in the glimpse of time we have on this earth.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge Frank, truly invaluable advice from a master craftsman. I look forward to your online class.
Amazing again Frank, priceless tips here and also a great value by sharing your experience stories. Once again, my respects🙏🏻
Thank you for the insight. I am looking forward to continuing my design journey with your videos.
Sage advice, Frank, for the design industry, and every other. Creating value for one's self and vision, whether in design or another discipline, is the ultimate path.
Hi Frank. I’m a first term student at the Art Center for Transportation Design and I want to thank you for that inspirational video. The competition is very intense and just watching this video makes me want to work even harder.
I study architecture in Delft and I recognize the statements made in this video. With so many great names around you and people working alongside you you’re pushed to try your very best
I am pursuing a career in automotive design simply because I love to bring beautiful things to life. The idea of being payed, to do what I love more than anything, is a dream.
You touched my heart sir .
I enjoy all of your videos, though I find this the most interresting. thank you!
10:50 I hope you’re talking about making a masterclass with *the* Masterclass. I’d love to watch it.
Wonderful. Remarkable advice and steadfast guidance in a changing world.
I really appreciate this video personally I'm stuck in a rut right now trying to decide if I want to pursue motorcycle design and I have to many reasons to explain here. However this video has sparked something inside of me that I thought was lost. Anyway thanks again. 👍🏻
Thank you for this I look forward to seeing you in person once I graduate with my Transportation design bachelors.
I always wanted to follow the Automotive Design path, but I got the same thought your teacher said to you, about the fact that very few people get to the finish line with a clear future in automotive design, so I got scared and jumped into a safer, but still quite hard, path: Mechanical Engineering. As of today, I'm two years away (aprox) from graduation, and sometimes I regret choosing this way, and not experiencing what's on the other side, as it's been like most people following you, a childhood dream to design cars. Still, I'm happy with the desitions I took, and I look forward to maybe someday, aproach the automotive desing industry from an engineer point of view.
Thanks for these tips Frank, I'll keep them close to mind. I also be waiting for your design masterclass!
I too am pursuing mechanical engineering right now... I will be 22 at graduation and will mostly look for a work experience job for about a year and then leave for Germany to try and get admission in a design University there..
You both try to get a master in transportation design right away. I did just that, went into mech engineering because there was no such thing as product design in my country, then just ended up frustrated with the work I got later in life. It can pay ok(ish) but there's not much space for creative flair in it
Such wise words! Love your channel! Found it a few days ago and sucking all the knowledge in like crazy
Frank it's always a pleasure to watch your videos, thanks, thanks, thanks for sharing!
Incredible video Frank, honestly, makes me a lot more comfortable about my future inside the design industry
I really look forward each video that you post, I’m not a car designer but I have been lucky enough to work for some racing teams and have a great interest in car design and functionality of the design. Keep up the good work.
a really insightful and interesting video, and I'm not part of the automotive industry!
your advice applies to a lot of young people out there who needs it.
thank you!
Thank you for all the inputs and tips you gave in this video. I as a 15 year old teenager have always admired cars, because they're for me a special species between a living being and a machine, with their own voices, faces and personalities. That is also one of the reasons I always wanted to become a car designer, because a car's shape and appearance is one of the first things that makes you truly fall in love with it. I can remember spotting a (back then) brand new 2010 Maserati Quattroporte sport gts in black as a 5 year old boy at the Bismarkstraße, a very wide and one of the most used roads in Berlin, whilst I was doing some shopping with my family. And I just couldn't stop looking at it. It's beautiful shape with it's neutral but still elegant face and it's truly elegant but slightly sporty appearance just captured my heart. And because I also always liked painting and drawing cars, and people told me that they liked my pictures, I decided that I wanted to be a car designer.
The introduction of the new, distasteful, disgusting and disappointing BMW kidneys pushed my wish of becoming a car designer even further. Since then, I know that something needs to be done to prevent the loss of traditional design language of different car brands (such as BMW). But thanks to you @Frank Stephenson, I know what I have to look out for and what I have to keep in mind. And for this you get my biggest thank!
Masterclass 👌🏻 I went to a design school that focused more on 'the idea' and problem solving than the actual drawing/ rendering skills I'd hoped I'd acquire. So a masterclass sounds exciting! Always great to hear your insights Mr. Stephenson, thanks for being so open about your experiences and knowledge 👍🏻
Thank you for sharing your insights with us. It is all about of self reflection, and how you define your worth.
This Video has helped so much to find motivation towards deisgn again! I'm 21 and at a point in life
were i can probably go in any direction that i want, but design and construction, especially in the automotive
industry, have always fascinated me and it's the stuff i dream about at night. This Video
was inspiring and the wake up call I needed . Thank you Frank for making these videos !!
Thank you! Good to hear the truth 🙌
Thank you Frank! Loved this video
Thank you for a great video. It inspired me a lot. Now I'm 28 and I have been working as a 3D modeler for nearly 6 years for a Japanese Company in Car industry. Car designer is my dream job. I'm Vietnamese and there is no Automotive Design School in Vietnam and I wasn't able to go to learn abroad in a Design school so I chose the way that led me to 3D Modeler as current time. I thought 3D Modeler is a good alternative for Car designer because it allows me work with professional designer closely but now I realize that I've torched my self. Now I'm trying my best grinding my self for skills that a professional designer needs and hope that it is not too late for me to have a chance to break in to Car design industry.
I'm looking forward for your next videos. Best wishes for you and good luck for me. :)
There's so much work, the video's great.
The quote from 7:53 It is a GREAT ONE!!! It scared me a bit. But it also reminded me that to a point WE will have to move on.
Thanks for sharing Frank.
Love the Syd Mead sketches. Good advice about Corporate penny pushers too.
No aspirations for a career in design here but I just love drawing cars and have for 35 years. I really enjoy watching pros like you and Chip Foose +++ render cars. Thanks Frank I really enjoy your content and perspectives. Respect!
Just a few days ago started to make an online Portfolio where I will upload (as well as to all possible platforms) daily iterations of ideas, mainly 2D SciFi, Abstracts, but definitely vehicles too :) So many of the impressions and feelings we grew up with, and are exposed to now, can be transformed into something for the future. Strangely beautiful how You posted a video about an "outside approach" just now. As if all minds on the planet are somehow connected. That´s a great motivation!
You make me wish I had a time machine. Art Center was where I dreamed of going but that did not happen. I'll just sit back and be one of the most privileged people on the planet who gets to see the fruits of those who had the ability to chase that dream. Battista "Pinin" Farina, Marcello Gandini, Giovanni & Nuccio Bertone, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Tony Lapine, Frank Stephenson Santos, Luc Donckerwolke, Michelle Christiansen, Ian Callum, Horacio Pagani... there will be countless others who will create some of the most amazing vehicles we’ve ever seen. OEM or not the next 25 yrs will just be awe-inspiring. Thank you as always Frank for a job well done. I'm going to go work on my TARDIS now.
Thank you Mr. Stephenson for helping out everybody who is about to embark on this pathway. It's always good to be shocked at first like you were at the start of your first lecture, it really puts everything into perspective. Only the strongest and most hardworking prevail, not necessarily the smartest.
Even though this was my childhood dream, one of my other dreams that I've come to later in my formative years were aero engineer and some figure in a company like Kidston SA, DK engineering etc. 2021 is a year I finally have a chance to shoot my shot, I know I am working towards that!
Wow...I've been a chef for 4 years, I love cooking but cars were always in the corner of my eye, since I was very young I loved playing car videogames and drawing my parents friend's cars, now more than ever I wish to study design, to learn the tools I need to put my ideas in a paper...I found this channel and specifically this video very encouraging, thanks Mr Stephenson
I am a new designer, and your video really inspired me, thank you. It encouraged me from exactly where I am at. Thank you Frank Stephenson. I am a fan. Bless you.
So you're telling me, I can still achieve my dream even if I didn't go to design collage and don't have any qualification....?😮
Art is at the center of my heart and when growing up I've never known anyone who dreamed about designing a car like me...
So.. may be there will be opportunities out there for me in the future. Thank you so much for this message, for feeding my heart.❤
Thank you very very much for the insight
Such a wholesome video, it feels like a positive yet realistic and down to earth advice.
I love cars for as long as I can remember. As someone who draw cars in almost every school book and folder page during primary and secondary school, my goal was to become a car designer. But upon seeing how small the chances of working for a brand were, I was put off it. I'd still like to study industrial design as I still find design (in general) super interesting.
I find your comment on how the industry might be homogenised in a few years time really interesting and frightening. Would love to hear, as someone who's been in the industry for years, your take on the future of design. Specially taking into account the push that's given to autonomous driving, "mobility solutions" and electric mobility.
Much thanks Great man for this wonderful inspiration. The art of design has been my cue since childhood but at a point I made it fade away which I’m pushing to nurture that skill again. I’m honored for your words.
Exactly the video i am looking for
GREAT video's Frank!
This journey sounds so similar to the journey of a software developer or in my case a web developer. Great advice Frank 👍. I see a little of myself in your journey 👍
Very great insights
Thank You
This is such an awesome and informative video, exactly what I'd need if I wanted to become a car designer
Well said Frank, bravo!
Amazing and really eloquent points. 👏👏
The message really opens up the question of what is the real goal of a designer and creator and not just to limit himself to one area, but instead look beyond that, what mark, what impact he wants to leave, what would be his contribution, and then the field will find him, and also is he up to par to go for it, both attitude wise and also by work gradually improving and learning, mastering techniques.
This video was inspirational, time to render my car again!
Great video Frank, I can totally relate to some of your advice and I believe it's very useful specially to the young people aspiring to become professional creators. To prove the point I'm an Aerodynamics Designer in Formula 1 and made it there by designing a my own F1 car (I even followed the FIA refulations to keep it realistic). I was tired of being rejected for "not having enough work experience" so I figured it was the way to prove I had the skills and the attitude for the job.
I'm a student currently in high school taking ID for my magnet. I've been looking into what really could help me decide my career, this was extremely useful as I haven't really questioned myself the way you described. Thank you for that, you seem very knowledgeable in this field, glad I could just find this free. Will continue searching for people as yourself to learn what's really like in the design industry.
You are amazing! Love your videos and designs!!! Saludos👋
today I realized that definitely Angles are exist. Thank you Mr. Frank for your advices.
Loving these videos and your quest to share your knowledge and expertise. I'm a bit old at nearly 49 to become a designer now, but it is what I wanted to do as a child. I've done my third 3D drawing now, and cheat a bit with a pencil and rubber, but I am amazed I can do this...
'Less, but better' I think is the guiding light for me in design. S/O to Dieter. I think there are problems worth solving in the world - big and small - and there are wonderful rewards for solving them. But it's not simply about a functional fix, as emotional creatures, appreciation is never purely logic and a design with true elegance I believe sparks something in us. Also, the feeling of having created something tangible others find useful and delightful cannot be matched in my opinion. Frank, thanks for these videos. I am no car designer but you wisdom caries effortlessly.
I'm already involved in a startup company, I don't have any design background degree, coming from such circumstances, I always try to get constructive feedbacks so I can understand where I would stand among other professionals and how can I improve myself. In doing so, I also sent a few of my works to you looking for feedback on how am I doing. By this point, one of my design is in prototype stage while there is another project where I've designed a custom car for a planned movie. Those are the projects which are not mine but I'm part of it, my projects include a little bit of Animation/VFX, 3D Art, Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Music.
Thank you, Frank. I think you just changed my life.
Thank you Frank for touching this part.
Honestly I was dreaming to design whatever came between my eyes and the real world. I wanted to be acknowledged by my friends, by my parents (kind of - you have done well, we are proud of you) and also by people I didnt know. It was about contributing, submit something that people will remember eventually, also approval. Leave something behind. Leave something behind that is beautiful. Nature is beautiful, perfect. I also wanted to create something beautiful, something perfect. Perfection that i knew I couldnt achieve. I have been trough that very same stage, when you start become submissive to those who are superior to you. That moment you want to follow your master until you surpassed him and than look out for the next master. Pride played a big role too, to go through a concrete wall, even you recieved a clear no. Head strong, power of will, submissiveness and a tiny bit of Pride/Confidence -thats how i would describe it the best. Competition boosted the firelike will, like (lets see what I got up in my sleeves, maybe i can even surprise myself) I was carrying around my art portfolio almost daily. Whenever i found an opportunity to draw (portraits, stills, or landscapes) i just did it. Even in during classes...Eventually I gave up to be a product designer, the older i got, but .....For some reason .... and that is no exaggeration... I ended up being a car designer... without having studied car design. It wasnt a certificate that lead the way for me. It wasnt my technical skills (i actually pretty bad in free hand perspective), ..... it was simply my reputation that I always delivered what I said, i gonna do. Even it would have meant to pull the moon down to earth.
Much coffee and much energy drinks throughout the years were thr main "contributers" to my success. I am not sure if it makes sense for someone else, what I am commenting here. Its chaotic but that chaotic made me. Maybe you might understand Frank ;)
Funny how I was watching this while doing my Artcenter homework 😂
🤣
My brother is an automotive technician. He recently got a accepted into the Tesla program that Miami Dade College offers. But, for now he plans to become a CDL truck driver. I just feel in love with the process of hooking up my 2005 Ford Focus. That I just started looking up every problem that it had and figuring out how it can run better. Thanks for this video. I really needed to hear this.
This was very inspiring, very structured information and rich with insights of real life troubles of not design, but more like mindset how to go on about designing, creating art and how to push yourself, improve yourself, to get to the dreams and levels one want to achieve, this video was a marvel, very useful and inspiring, just like this whole channel
I love design because I love drawing. I've drawn cars for years and have always been fascinated by how they look.
I'm currently studying the third year of product design, and through that I have experienced challenges that give me the opportunity to become aware of my shortcomings such as having limited innovation and creativity, as well as not being good at digital work.
I actively try to improve and better equip myself so that I can become a better designer. I suppose I am not super ambitious but I do hope that I can share my vision and ideas with the world through products I create or help create.
I will never be a professional car designer, but I do a lot of design work for my own projects...houses, cars, art...whatever, but your advice still makes me think, advance, evolve, and that's what it is all about. so thank you Frank.
I want to be a designer but my family can't afford design school and I am 19
Hey you can do it just believe in your self mate and make a great portfolio and you can do freelance work@@annapurnabehera8522
I needed this!!!
Applies to most design
disciplines. Very inspiring video.
Resonated very well with this Frank, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Disrupting the status quo and remaining faithful in my approach was the main driver for me. Create freely without the limitations of expectations of the corporate BS and share it with the world. Like you summarised very nicely, create it and they will come, this in my experience has become a law.
Thank you, this is exactly the right information I needed to help me decide if I wanted to break into the design industry. The reason I want to get into the industry is so that way I can influence GM, like Harley Earl (my inspiration), and possibly bring back 2 or 3 famous marques.
Great content as always.
Thank you for making this Video and the channel itself which Ive been following from the very first video! For someone who actually had the fortunate chance to go off and get to a design school to study what was and still is my passion and love. Design, especially automotive design and have graduated from it. What to many is such a far or unreachable goal. You spoke and touched on many key and very important points. After those very difficult times trying to pay for school and survive. Those long days of putting in the work to further develop the skills necessary to be competitive and having projects that were good enough to present in a portfolio. Then having the opportunities to end up in Corporate Sponsored Projects from big OEM brands. Interacting with their designers for input and then presenting the final projects to the heads of design. Incredible life experiences to cherish. Theres a lot that goes behind the scenes per say that most don't know. Even though I wasn't able to get the first job with and OEM from that one interview right after graduating and taking a short divergence in life I do and still am working to reach that goal and get that job one day. Mr Stephenson you have always been one of my inspirations of Designers along side many of the late and great names one of which was my sensei and my Design Director from my school Tom Matano.
Thank You! Hope to one day have the chance to meet you.
This is such a beautifully spoken video with some real honest and confident answers. Its great to be able to access the mind of a legend designer like this and its great to see you went further than just the bog standard answers most people would have given.
With 3d printing and automation being the norm in the future i really see a market opportunity for small bespoke auto manufacturers making really creative and groundbreaking work. Maybe designers will be contracted for design requests and instead of a wage they earn a percentage of the sales? Here is where some of the younger internet designers would come in. As you said, the mavricks.
great information look forward to the master classes
This video is gold.
Thank you Sir!
It's lovely, mr. Stephenson, that you want to hear our dreams and stories related to the automotive industry. It is an element that I certainly appreciate with modern technology and media, that great people like yourself are able and willing to connect with global audiences who would never even come close to such opportunities just 10 years ago.
If anyone's curious, here's my personal story of how I pursue transportation design:
I've always enjoyed imagining things and creating something that didn't already exist. It's my endless drive, I go every day and observe the world we live in - and I think to myself how I can see opportunities to change it or introduce new exciting elements we can interact with and find new ways of living that don't yet exist. I have a constant desire to challenge the world and make life more exciting, see things from a new perspective, and improve what's already here.
I already had the idea of pursuing a career in car design when I entered high school - or just any design related job really (but my main passion was for cars so that was the obvious priority). Unfortunately I live in Denmark, where the car industry is pretty much non existent. So I considered the second best option at hand, which was to apply for an Industrial Design course at the Danish Royal Arts University (always fancy titles for these places). I didn't get accepted at my first attempt at applying, so I tried again a year later and got in. I enjoy industrial design in general, and the many philosophies tied to it. However, the teaching itself left me wanting more, there was too much focus on academic topics and soft values, and not enough focus on practical experience nor teaching/insight into various industries. I ended up dropping it, as it felt too much of a waste of time for me, so I thought to myself how far I'd have to go to actually get a real foothold in the automotive industry. I ended up looking at studying abroad, which led me to applying at a Transportation Design university in Italy where I currently am completing my final Thesis project.
One of the biggest experiences of this process, has definitely been to travel and live in a foreign country with its independent culture and ways of working/approaching schooling. It's the complete opposite from the old school I came from, for better and worse. I think most of all it gave me perspective, helped me sort the good and less good experiences I carried with me from my first design school in Denmark, and helped make me realize what is actually important to me as a person, and where my values are in regards to being a professional designer and earning a living through this industry. Still, the thought of actually earning money for this kind of work still seems like a fairytale story to me, at least until I hopefully land my first internship/job opportunity.
What has stood out the most to me, has definitely been my own focus on how I want to work as a designer in the future. It's still fundamentally the desire to create and dream of a future that for now exists in my mind, but could become reality tomorrow - and I believe that the fewer steps there are between having my ideas and actually realizing them, the happier I will be. I believe niche companies or a smaller studio will be to my liking, somewhere where I can have an impact and learn a lot along the way, hopefully work with a more tightly connected team of passionate people, rather than a large workforce where designers can easily be substituted. Let me put it like this: No matter who the designer is, the new Audi A6 is going to exist regardless. But a revival of McLaren? That only happens with very special and dedicated people behind. Doesn't really matter with the scale of the brand or it's overall importance and value. As long as my thoughts are not replaceable, then I will work like no one else could.
If you read this far, you're crazy and I like you! Enjoy your day fellow internet user :)
Keep pushing Mister...with that drive and passion you’ll definitely get there...keep your foot on the accelerator. 👍🚀
@@FrankStephensondesign Thank you for the encouragement! Already looking forward to your next video upload, they're a treat.