How to Become a Car Designer

Art Center College of Design in California, College for Creative Studies in Michigan, Hochschule Pforzheim in Germany, and Royal College of Art in England are world famous design schools which many leading car manufacturers are recruiting talents from.

Creativity is not the only ingredient needed to become a successful car designer. Four-year intense training in not only design studies but also associated disciplines and activities related to realizing a design from concept to reality separates a car designer from a car illustrator.

Typically, in the first year, students learn drawing basics, principals, tools, basic car design techniques, and design processes. In the second year, basic car design in 3D form is taught. Students are required to make their first half clay model in ¼ scale. To view the complete car, half clay model must be viewed using a mirror. Computer design program is introduced in the second year as well. Presentation skills are developed through many design review sessions and exhibitions.

In the third year, students create their first complete ¼ scale clay model and utilize digital modeling. They also learn to paint the model. Usually, car companies will sponsor third year students on various design projects and competitions. Car companies will provide requirements, design parameters, and manufacturing limitations. The best design will be selected based on aesthetic, functionality, practicality, and manufacturability.

Many design schools provide placement programs to students who want to get internships at global car manufacturers. Students take advantage of the internship programs to gain real world work experiences usually in their third year. Abeng was fortunate enough to be recruited as an intern by Toyota Motor Corporation in Toyota City, Japan.

In the last year of study, schools teach advanced transportation design. Students look at how transportation will change in the next 25 years. Based on projected population growths in cities and suburbs around the globe and ecological impacts of current transportation technologies to our environment, they must develop ideas and concepts that address the challenges of mobility in the future and be friendly to the environment. Again, many car companies will sponsor projects on future green transportation studies.

In addition to the main curriculum above, students must pick their area of concentration to differentiate themselves from the crowd. There are many aspects of car designs; exterior, interior, color and trim, user Interface and electronics. Furthermore, transportation design covers not only car but also train, motorcycle, boat, and plane. Usually by the first part of the fourth year, students will gravitate towards what they are passionate about.

Every year, about two to three thousands students graduate with Transportation Design degree. But there are only about two hundreds job openings yearly at core car design studios globally. To be noticed, one must not only have the talent but also the determination to enter the best design school. Once admitted, he must study and work diligently so his designs will win competitions. Augmented by relevant internship experiences, he will be in a favorable position to be recruited by a car manufacturer.

How to Become a Car Designer

Art Center College of Design in California, College for Creative Studies in Michigan, Hochschule Pforzheim in Germany, and Royal College of Art in England are world famous design schools which many leading car manufacturers are recruiting talents from.

Creativity is not the only ingredient needed to become a successful car designer. Four-year intense training in not only design studies but also associated disciplines and activities related to realizing a design from concept to reality separates a car designer from a car illustrator.

Typically, in the first year, students learn drawing basics, principals, tools, basic car design techniques, and design processes. In the second year, basic car design in 3D form is taught. Students are required to make their first half clay model in ¼ scale. To view the complete car, half clay model must be viewed using a mirror. Computer design program is introduced in the second year as well. Presentation skills are developed through many design review sessions and exhibitions.

In the third year, students create their first complete ¼ scale clay model and utilize digital modeling. They also learn to paint the model. Usually, car companies will sponsor third year students on various design projects and competitions. Car companies will provide requirements, design parameters, and manufacturing limitations. The best design will be selected based on aesthetic, functionality, practicality, and manufacturability.

Many design schools provide placement programs to students who want to get internships at global car manufacturers. Students take advantage of the internship programs to gain real world work experiences usually in their third year. Abeng was fortunate enough to be recruited as an intern by Toyota Motor Corporation in Toyota City, Japan.

In the last year of study, schools teach advanced transportation design. Students look at how transportation will change in the next 25 years. Based on projected population growths in cities and suburbs around the globe and ecological impacts of current transportation technologies to our environment, they must develop ideas and concepts that address the challenges of mobility in the future and be friendly to the environment. Again, many car companies will sponsor projects on future green transportation studies.

In addition to the main curriculum above, students must pick their area of concentration to differentiate themselves from the crowd. There are many aspects of car designs; exterior, interior, color and trim, user Interface and electronics. Furthermore, transportation design covers not only car but also train, motorcycle, boat, and plane. Usually by the first part of the fourth year, students will gravitate towards what they are passionate about.

Every year, about two to three thousands students graduate with Transportation Design degree. But there are only about two hundreds job openings yearly at core car design studios globally. To be noticed, one must not only have the talent but also the determination to enter the best design school. Once admitted, he must study and work diligently so his designs will win competitions. Augmented by relevant internship experiences, he will be in a favorable position to be recruited by a car manufacturer.