Would you like to design cars?

car design gone wrong - designing cars for a career
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
December 14, 2010 3:27pm CST
I was driving back to work from lunch when I saw a funny car on the road. I couldn’t grab my celphone quick enough so I wasn’t able to get a picture. Anyway, the car looked like a mis-mash of body parts from different models of car. I was sure it had a Dodge caliber hood, but the back looked like a Honda. I asked myself, why would somebody make his car look like that? Maybe somewhere in the beginning, before he even started working on his car, the owner had dreams of becoming a car-designer. Maybe he had some grand plan of how he would like his car to look “different”. But maybe he got lost along the way and ended up with a funny-looking car. Now, would you like to be a car-designer? How would you go about it? Would you go to a design school first, and hope to get employed by big car manufacturers? Or would you be like this guy I saw who would start in his own garage?
1 person likes this
7 responses
• Singapore
15 Dec 10
Oh my bounce, you got me all interested suddenly when you started this topic. Ok, well, let me tell you. When I was younger, I had plans on becoming a car designer. I even had a booklet full of my own designs. Of course, at first when I started drawing and designing, the models weren't that good but it became better and better gradually. I'm still designing them now, LOL. With constant observation of the cars on the roads nowadays, I came to realize their styling, thinking of how and why the designer designed this as this and slowly, I could draw SUVs(my favourite), executive cars, junior executives, family sedans and even MPVs. Besides the booklet of my own designs, I also have an extra large drawing book which I have pictures of other real life cars, which I drew myself according to reference pictures. Yes, if you asked me that question, I had that plan in mind but when I entered polytechnic, there wasn't any course like that, so, hmm...I changed my dream job to something else. But let's say I'm going to be a car designer, I would love to go and enrol in a design school first, learn the basics, if mine is not good enough then from there, slowly accumulate enough experience to get spotted by those industry heavyweights. If there's a chance, I would like to work for BMW. Their cars are nicely detailed, with every consideration in mind, carefully detailed, cutting edge designs. I would love to drive a BMW in the future
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Dec 10
Hello JudgeIronFist. I think you are still young, and still have the future ahead of you. And it sounds like you really have a passion for this. So, although you may have been sidetracked for a while in terms of education, I still hope that you still pursue this in the future. The polytechnique education that you took could just be a back up plan in case everything doesn't work. Goodluck!
@shattered (1728)
• Philippines
15 Dec 10
I would love to design my own car! Unfortunately most people who design cars have little or no imagination not all but some! It really is funny how some cars look. Must have been designed for a different market is all I'm telling myself but some are just really unbelievable!
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Dec 10
I know what you mean. I know that designers must have some aerodynamic limitations when they design these cars, but some of them are just really not understandable. Maybe lacking in imagination, on their part.
1 person likes this
@shattered (1728)
• Philippines
20 Dec 10
Could it be possible that they actually too much imagination? They may come from a different timeline!
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
16 Dec 10
I am not interested in cars or anything metallic/shiny but if I were to design something, I would start at home before I bring it outside working in the same area (like car designer works for auto companies) is a good idea to familiarize me with car parts and manufacturing process
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Dec 10
It is like saying that to be able to design, you must already have something at home. Like using your imaginations to design common everyday things you see in your house. Only then can one progress into designing cars. Thanks LittleMel.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Dec 10
hi bounce I would like to be the woman's view guide t o a new car designer and tell him how cars should be made so the average woman does not have to squat to get into a modern car. alwasys the new one s either have the seats up so high only a woman at least 5ft11inches could get into the thing or else way down there so you are seated with your knees almost up to your elbows.Also modern car seats should be made to swing out so us handicapped people with leg problems could get in much more easily.Also more leg room for people with leg braces or leg problems or anyone for that matter over 70.We women are never heard on what we would want in new car designs yet we make up a godly share of tghe car riding or using public
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Dec 10
I think you got something there Hatley! I do think that most modern cars are catered to guys. I don't think there are a lot of new-designed cars that are specific for women. Maybe someone should design one. You'd never know, maybe it would sell like hotcakes!
• United States
15 Dec 10
yes id someday like to design my own car. i would go to college and get an education and start designing cars.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Dec 10
Hello fbnserrato. I've looked at your profile and saw that you are still young. So, it is possible, and you still have the future in front of you. You should pursue this dream. Goodluck!
@Arteta (77)
21 Dec 10
No i wouldn't want to design cars, because firstly i hate drawing or designing as well as graphics. I can't stand working on graphics on computers as well as designing things on the computer. It takes to much time and effort, for something that i wouldnt enjoy. I would prefer writing a book or story. thanks.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
23 Dec 10
Imagination is a great thing! While some use it to create concepts and design cars, others use it to connect the dots and create stories. I guess that you are the latter kind Arteta. Thanks for the response.
• United States
14 Dec 10
I would not like to be the actual designer of an automobile. I so love luxury autos but somehow designing them is not my forte. I certainly know what I want in them but never really gave it any thoughts about actually designing them. Maybe it is fun for those that do??
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
17 Dec 10
There is something to be said about seeing your designs being accepted by the public. Specially if it is considered something beautiful or luxurious. And maybe it is not for everybody. If I were talented enough, I would love the appreciation (not the hardwork, though).