Stunning photographs, computer renderings, and sketches are abundant throughout the book, and all help to paint a picture or flesh out the procession of a car’s evolution from initial concept to rolling reality.
 How to design cars like a pro. Click image to enlarge |
The authors also include a profile on Jean-Pierre Pioué (Director of Design at Peugeot-Citroen), a brand that may be foreign to most North American consumers, but a company that is striving to “remobilize some of the adventurous and avant garde design spirit that characterized Citroen products from the 1950s to 1980s.” Judging from beauties like the GT by Citroen and the Peugeot SR1, I think they are on the right track in the design department.
The final chapter offers a snapshot of what could be considered a typical work week for a current design professional, while subsequent chapters describe the actual design process in detail, and discuss what makes a “good” design. A series of design studies are included to help the reader grasp the idea that these projects are used by the car companies to establish an identity.
After a look at future trends in the field, the authors examine the age-old debate whether a brand should look towards the future or establish continuity in design. Of course the ultimate goal for whichever path is chosen must be based on its ability to stimulate sales at the consumer level.
The next wave of designers is given the spotlight in a chapter that introduces some of the most cutting-edge designs from students around the world.
If you consider yourself a budding designer, or just find yourself intrigued by the process, there are a number of tutorials provided to explain concepts such as perspective, Photoshop, and computer rendering, all backed up by a multi-page glossary at the back of the book.
The final section of this stylish book features biographies of some of the most influential designers in the industry, past and present, as well as a look at the concept cars that altered the automotive landscape, or were landmark designs which appear timeless and still inspire design trends today.
This book is loaded with insight and allows the reader to peek behind the curtain of some of the most storied design houses in the industry. How to Design Cars Like a Pro is well worth adding to the automotive section of your library.
Title: How to Design Cars Like a Pro
Author: Tony Lewin and Ryan Borroff
Suggested retail: CAN$32.99
ISBN-13: 978-0-7603-3695-3
www.motorbooks.com
