Design how to become a car designer!
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When my life changed.
I was 19 when I confessed to my father that I wanted to become a car designer. One week earlier I found on a car magazine a great reportage about Art Center College of Design, the Californian design school one of the best institutions where to study Design. At the beginning my father did not want to listen to me asking me to continue my economics studies at university, however after few weeks several talks and my mother's underground convincing activity my life started to change! My father told me that I could have studied a year the English language in San Francisco, follow a design college to prepare my admission portfolio and try to be accepted at the Art Center College in Pasadena. If nothing would have been accomplished I would have returned to Italy to get back my studies.In September (four months later) I left Italy and I took a plane for my first time.
On my side I worked very hard during almost 6 years between English college studies, night courses at California College of Arts & Crafts in Berkeley, later 2 years at Pasadena City College and finally full time at Art Center to follow Transportation Design course. Since the age of 10 I always sketched cars (what they look like in my head at that time...), when I discovered that this passion was a real job with a professional future...I had a real great sensation: I finally had a future project to propose to my parents in alternative to the economics studies. I will never forget the human sacrifice my parents went through to give me this opportunity, I'll never forget how much they supported me economically and with all their love. I was very far but I felt them very close. I worked very hard , believe me I did, Art Center is a very competitive school and the experience has been difficult but very rich,too.
Today I am a Design manager in automotive industry with already 22 years experience and satisfied with the fact that all the hard work served to accomplish the goal. I worked for about 10 years with some European design schools,too to give what I have learned in US, had the chance to meet a lot of beautiful young people with hopes and talent.
I wrote this real story to explain, to young design students that might read this article, that you guys have to fight for it, to be a car designer is not an easy thing. You need talent, strong will to overcome all sort of problems and negative times, you never give up, you must be disciplined and you need a good design school so that the money spent will be returned thanks to the job opportunities you will have.
Good luck!
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True! Thanks for your comment.
what if I will be succeed in univercity and everything will be ok, but I won`t get work as designer...
Dear dennis, the risk exists...you will have harder time to ind a car designer job...but you could get it!
I am 17 years old...and i wanna do car designing...but dont exactly know what all are the requirements...
So i'd be grateful if u help me.
Hi Ronan,
first of all do you want to be a car designer because you have strong passion and sketch a lot on your own? Or just because it looks like some thing cool to be?
Second: you have to put together some of your drawings and show them to an expert to understand if you have a talent that needs a professional school. You need an evaluation before you decide what to do.
Third: once you know just apply for car design school and study hard to get your diploma or BS in Transportation Design.
You can find me on facebook, write to me a message and I'll give you instructiuons to send to me via email some of your drawings so I can see them and tell you honestly what I think it could be best for you.
OK? Thanks for writing.
hey Luciano hi im brandon and i read your story and i must say i was inspired by it n i have always loved cars and ive been drawing them since i was like 6 i am now currently 16 n have had car designer on my list of careers. I do have a great passion for cars particularly GM cars :) i have a great passion 4 art and ive always wanted to make a great car i wasnt really sure about my career choice up until about a year ago when my father inspired me by purchasing a 2010 camaro it was pre-ordered n i have always thought the design was stunning. but enough about that i just wanted to get some constructive criticism and advice from an accomplished designer. thx Luciano p.s. i also am very involved in the car scene every sunday its all about cars 4 me.:)
if i have a talented and creative is important to studio at school or art college for design or my talent it's enough
Hi mn_89 just talent is not enough, you need a school to develop your talent correctly.
Hey thanks for the inspiring story. I'm 15 and I'm just wondering if you have any tips for me to get on the right path to be a car designer? I've been sketching cars about as long as I could hold a pencil. If you could give me any tips on how I could improve my skills that would be great. Thanks.
Hi Bryce as you read my story you, at the right age, have to find the right design school in US or foreign country. Drawing well is the key and strong passion and creativity.
If you want to reach me just contact me on Facebook look for Luciano Bove and after we will get in contact.
OK?
this is a very inspirational story. i have the same passion for drawing cars and i also want to follow your path and succeed. i have many notebooks filled with car drawings, detailed from the outside and inside the car and can draw for hours without stopping. some people have called me mad but most say that i draw stuff they cant even imagine. i am only 16 and am doing pre engineering in my school, im also planning to build a go kart from scratch with my friend. what else should i do to be able to design cars for the big boys like lamborghini, mclaren, ferrari, porsche, etc.? i truly have a lot of potential can send u pics of the cars if u like. i want to be a future designer. thanx alot
Hi Akhdan,
if you do a lot of sketching about cars and other stuff is a very good thing...just keep going! At the same time you should start looking for a professional design school that offers a Transportation Design course.
Reading my blog and my articles here you can find interesting news.
http://lucianobove.blogspot.com
Look for Luciano Bove on facebook
OK?
Hi....this is Ramiz and this is my second message from me and as you had asked me to follow the few websites of your mentioned designing institute...i did that but as because i don't have higher grade in science and maths they are not ready to accept me and now i had got an institute called DYP-DC centre of automotive research & studies in my won country India but their is a good designer called Dilip chabreya who completed his graduate from art center collage.....and they don't need such high grades and had thought of applying their but i had some suggestions from you and that is this institute is very new started in 2010 so if i complete my bachelor from here will i be able to do my master abroad if i want?...actually i want to know what they need for masters and as it is a new one so will they give importance to bachalors from here.And another thing i would request you is that i want you to judge my designes and suggest me ways to make it far more better....so how can this be possible i think you are in facebook and i had searched you but their were so many of the same name and i could not identify you....please say some ways to identify you like profile pics or any thing else or your your email address....sir please help me i don't have any body to help me in this....and designing is my dream and i want to fulfill it so please help me sir i will be very grateful to you...
Ramiz,
Dilip's school is doing well and has a great potential to do better...so go there and do not worry.
Their diploma will be ok for attending a Master in Italy at IED school or IAAD school.
You can send me your works for an evaluation and to do so become friend on my page on Facebook so I'll give you in private my email.
OK?
I have offer letter from DYPDC but this college have no experience of Placement because the 1st batch is under processing. What should i do, i am confused about placement after complete course from DYPDC.
Should i try for 1 year course of M Des in transportation design from abroad.
I have 3.9 year experience as a Product Designer, i am not strong in Sketching, but i am good in concept design, DYPDC admission jury like my portfolio which shown Digital Modelling of Cars and FMCG Products.
And a clay model of car which made by me.
Am i eligible for 1 year M Des Transportation Design, and i have not any Automobile Design experience.
But i have a caliber for proove myself.
What should i do, DYPDC or School in Abroad.
Please sir, give me suggestion for launch my career in Transportation Design course.
Thanks and Your blog is really valuable blog.
i forgot to write in above comment that i have offer in DYPDC for 2 year PG course.
Pratush,
I thinl that you can accept Dilip's school...be concerned to learn how to draw cars...if you do it well in school you will also have a chance to get a job.
thnx you so much luciano for ur valuable comments.
Thank you so much sir for your kind reply to my questions....and now i had some other problem as well and that is such a high course fee in DYPDC which is really to much for me but still i am trying to convince my parents instead of knowing that is out of their capacity but still they are warring of future as their is very little scope for this course......actually they are thinking that if i could now make a good future out of it.....though i am trying to manage it.....sir can you tell me what is required actually to study abroad in designing??......mainly i don't have any other person to guide me in this field it is almost unknown to most of the people here so please say what is the requirments for masters??.....and sir i have send you the frnd rqst in facebook please accept it and judge my designs those are less in number but i hope you will like it...and please comment on them i just so much eager to hear your advice and guidance.....those are on my album 'sketchbook'.....thank you sir.
do you know what exact qualifications you need to become a car designer
i would also like to know what qualifications you need to become a car designer?
Kyle & Daniel you need to have a good talent and passion in drawing cars. The school will do the rest, best school to me is Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. In Europe you have good schools in Germany France and Italy.
hi im atif ,its really very inspiring,
i am also interested in car designing and have a huge passion towards it, but i have completed my graduation in computers and dont have an enginering background and want to enter in this field,am i eligible for it ?, and wanted to know why are the fees of automotive designing schools so high ?, and also wanted to know which is the best designing school in INDIA, which offer's placements with reasonable fees ....?, if they does'nt offer placement will i get a job after investing a big amount of money ? Please help...!
Dear Atif,
you are asking many questions to which it is difficult for me to give you a good answer. Anyway on Cardesignnews.com you will find all design schools addresses from every country including India, about job it all depends on your talent, about school's fee...its mainly private school!
hi mr.luciano 63 , i am kiran from india, im 16 years old (studying X grade) i want to become a car designer because i have a passion to design modern cars . I wanted ur advice, so i thought i can add u as my frnd in facebook there are many luciano bove's .So if u give me ur correct particular profile name i can talk to you. it would be very helpful.....THANK YOU u can mail ur profile name to kiran.modagi@gmail.com thanx again
Highly inspirational. I felt I was reading my life story when my family supported my studying after finishing business degree to become an indusrial deigner. But still don't feel quite finished yet. I'm from canada and want to pursue MA in europe related TD. My true pasion has always been car design(Or TD) but not really sure if I'm on the right track or not in terms of my skillset, passion and will. Car design is a serious branch of design which needs upmost attention of devotiton. Can I also submit some of my sketches for ypur criticism Luciano? thanks, greetings from montreal!
Highly inspirational. I felt I was reading my life story when my family supported my studying after finishing business degree to become an indusrial deigner. But still don't feel quite finished yet. I'm from canada and want to pursue MA in europe related TD. My true pasion has always been car design(Or TD) but not really sure if I'm on the right track or not in terms of my skillset, passion and will. Car design is a serious branch of design which needs upmost attention of devotiton. Can I also submit some of my sketches for your criticism Luciano? thanks, greetings from montreal!
Dear Memhmet to show me your sketches you must leave me your email or contact me via Facebook and then I'll give you in private my email. OK?
DYPDC Car Design Contest 2012 is on. They are looking for Future Designers. Go to this link for more details. All the best guys. http://www.dypdc-contest.com/index.php. And Luciano, excellent post, mate.
hello. I am so glad i found your blog! What you do right now is my dream. I am 17 years old and i'm working my butt off to get into Art Center so that i can major in Transportation Design and one day become a successful designer like you. I had a question as to how i can get there. I have a great passion for cars and talent in art. I'm thinking about signing up for Summer Workshop for Art Center so that i can take a class there that can improve my car designing skills. Do you think this is a good idea?
Thanks!
-Lucy
Dear Lucy,
yes it is a great idea. I did the same starting with Art Center at Night for two courses...it was the best way to understand the school philosophy and demands, it will help your head to get yourself into the picture.
Do it and wish you the best!
Lucy you can follow me also on Facebook!
Thank you so much! I signed up this morning and i can't wait! only problem is that i'm a girl and less than 5% of car designers are women.
but hopefully my skills get me to where i want.
Amazing blog and fb page
again, thank you
Lucy we need girls in this men job environment! Female creativity is missing!
Wish you the best!
Hey Guys,
Can any one here suggests me about the SUPINFOCOM Institute of Industrial design at Valenciennes france? Is it a good college to pursue the course of Transportation Designing. Where it stands when it comes to international transportation college ranking? Which one is Better Strate college or Supinfocom. GUYS PLZ HELP WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS.....
Dear Anteriksh I know that Strate College is a very good school!
Hi Luciano,great insight about the struggle many people go through...same was with me..my father wanted me to become an engineer ..so i did engineering now this year im gonna apply for transportation design..i wanted to take admission to art center..but it was not in my budget since im not rich..idk why these schools are so rich..regards Ash
i am searching for where to lay my ambition,
which is automobile designer. i need help, contact me ,
www.desireonedoor@yahoo.com OR +2347064550510
Hi luciano,nice post you were lucky that your parents allowed to go into college you desired.I wanted to go to art center,but i come from not so rich family so they declined.Now i got admission to ISD india,but they arent willing me to even go into it cause of its fees,and i feel so frustated.I have talent but my parents are not willing..i tried to convince them but to no avail..
Twin XL 3 years ago
Be strong, you can be anything you want when you set your mind to it!