Designers help create the look, feel, and function of new car models.
An automobile designer works with a team of creative professionals and engineers to develop the look and feel of new automobiles. Design teams can be very large and can include a variety of people involved in the process of creating new cars, from people concerned with improving safety to people who focus on dashboard display aesthetics. Having a degree in automotive engineering, art, or industrial design can be useful for people interested in doing this type of work and may be required by many automakers.
Interior and exterior elements are part of good car design.
Car designers begin with the concept stage, discussing an entirely new design or redesign. They talk about what they want to achieve with the car and also integrate customer, dealer and designer feedback on previous models. This is used to brainstorm what they want a new car to look like, allowing designers to start creating sketches and mockups. As the process progresses, they become more precise and detailed, and the car’s designer begins to focus on the small elements and details, ranging from the shape of the lenses used to cover the indicator lights to the stitching on the seats.
Designers must consider how a new car fits into a manufacturer’s lineup.
The car designer is concerned with the aesthetics of the car, how it fits into the manufacturer’s lineup, and what kind of message is being projected with the vehicle. They also need to think about issues like aerodynamics and safety, as some aesthetically intriguing features can compromise the car’s racing ability. Working with engineers, they discuss design proposals and develop approaches to realizing them. Car designers think about combinations of colors, materials, and other fine details, designing the car down to the last detail.
Concept cars are often on display at car shows.
Automobile designers must be familiar with safety regulations, as well as industry standards for safety and basic vehicle features. Part of your job may involve developing innovative features and working with engineers to make them available. Car design is often heavily influenced by broader design and cultural trends, so people should also be aware of how the general public thinks. Research is needed to examine modern art and architecture for influences, and a car designer can use market research to learn more about how people respond to proposed designs.
Car design can take months or years in some cases and requires attention to detail, along with the ability to see the big picture. An automobile designer must also be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds and with very different priorities, from executives who want to keep production costs down to engineers concerned with environmental sustainability.