car designer

[ghopper]

i want to be a car designer as a career later on. does anybody have a clue what major(s) should i go after if i want to be a car designer? you can see my drawings here (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57770). what college should i go to to pursue my interest? i live on the east coast, am a junior in stuyvesant high school, and i really think this is what i'd really enjoy doing. thank you

[Storyboard Dave]

There is a major for Transportation Design.

Well, the two major schools for it are obviously Art Center in Pasadena, CA and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. They're both world renowned for it and are in the hotbeds of the car/design culture.

Do realize that for you to be in this field you've got to live it, breathe it and sleep cars 24/7. It is BY FAR one of the most competitive fields out there even in a collegiate setting. That's not to say you can't do it, but realize some of the demands of the programs before going in.

[Mirana]

Have you tried drawing your own concepts, or are you sticking to copying established designs? Get started on your own concepts pronto.

Take a look at How to Design Cars Like a Pro (http://product.half.ebay.com/How-to-Design-Cars-Like-a-Pro_W0QQprZ5971992QQtgZinfo). Student work is included...that's only a smidgen of your competition. You need to go for it all the way if you're going to at all.

[ghopper]

all the cars i've been drawing are concepts that i invented. people have always wanted me to draw a porsche or a supra for them but i always fail. thank you for your comments, they help a lot. any more would be better!

[Storyboard Dave]

One suggestion might be for you to check out the actual works and labor of the current group of car designers at the Detroit Auto Show that's about to start up soon.

http://www2.naias.com/

CCS actually has a booth there to answer any questions as well.

[Storyboard Dave]

For more dirt on CCS and some of their famous alums in auto design...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060109/AUTO02/601090344&SearchID=73232667160093

[ghopper]

thanks dave i requested a booklet from ccs after you told me about it and it's an amazing school i think. but alas after talking to some people and looking around other forums i realize that you're right, it is extremely competitive and even if you do get a job you won't last more than 10-15 years, even less if you're not good enough. and you don't even earn enough i heard. ;\ i won't quit drawing cars as a hobby but i guess this route isn't what i'd take. but you never know, i still have time to decide, just not much. thanks dave

[Storyboard Dave]

thanks dave i requested a booklet from ccs after you told me about it and it's an amazing school i think. but alas after talking to some people and looking around other forums i realize that you're right, it is extremely competitive and even if you do get a job you won't last more than 10-15 years, even less if you're not good enough. and you don't even earn enough i heard. ;\ i won't quit drawing cars as a hobby but i guess this route isn't what i'd take. but you never know, i still have time to decide, just not much. thanks dave

I've got friends who are car designers who are now fathers. Some of their kids are starting to doodle cars & vehicles just like their dads but when I talk to them about letting their sons become auto designers, they're a bit hesitant because they've also told me the "they'd better love it 24/7" story too.

That's not to say that you can't do it (far be it for me to tell someone NOT to follow their dreams); you can still take those drawing skills and do a multitude of other things as well. Just look at all of the concept artists here who draw amazingly well. You can do product design, illustrate, video games, kids books, comics... the list goes on & on.

It's good for you to at least know what you're diving into first and then kind of assess your desires.

Right now would actually be an ideal time for anyone interested in automotive design to come check out the International Auto Show in Detroit, see some of their concept cars, talk to the designers themselves, and gather info on CCS at the same time.

[ghopper]

man i can't thank you enough, but i live in new york and our autoshow here has nothing. but i will certainly take your advices.

[Storyboard Dave]

man i can't thank you enough, but i live in new york and our autoshow here has nothing. but i will certainly take your advices.

The Detroit & LA auto shows are always the places that the car companies want to come out with the biggest of splashes. Just the amount of celebrities & concept cars showing up this weekend has been amazing.