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Envisioning the Open Road: Automotive Designers Creating the Cars of Today & Tomorrow

By Damian McKnight
Designschools.com Contributing Writer

It can be argued that no design career is sexier than that of the Automotive Designer. Today’s designers embody the styles and culture of today while contouring the style of tomorrow. They utilize product design principles and emerging technology to create commercial, yet innovative, designs for new automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans. Often working in tandom with a large team of engineers, designers work to ensure that their concepts are appealing to consumers, can actually lead to functioning automobiles, and are environmentally friendly and affordable. Not to mention…..sexy.

History

In the United States, automotive design reached a critical juncture in 1924 when the American national automobile market began reaching saturation. To maintain sales, General Motors pioneer Alfred P. Sloan Jr. suggested annual model-year design changes in the hope that car owners would want to buy a new replacement each year. His strategy succeeded and was later adapted by rest of the industry.

The most celebrated American auto designer is probably Harley Earl,who brought the tailfin and other aeronautical design references to auto design in the 1950s. Earl is joined among legendary auto designers by Gordon Buehrig, responsible for the Auburn 851 and iconic Cord 810 and 812. Another notable designer who had a markedly different style was Chrysler group’s designer Virgil Exner, an early pioneer of Cab forward (a.k.a.Forward look) design in mid-1950s. Exner is also credited with introducing the pointed tail fins in the 1956 Plymouth Belvedere later adapted by all other Detroit studios.

The Work

The tasks of a car design team are usually split into three main aspects: exterior design, interior design, and color and trim design. Graphic design is also an important aspect of automotive design; this is generally shared amongst the design team as the lead designer sees fit. Design focuses not only on the isolated outer shape of automobile parts, but concentrates on the combination of form and function, starting from the vehicle package. Here is a breakdown of the design elements:

Exterior Design: The stylist responsible for the design of the exterior of the vehicle is the one who develops the proportions, shape, and surfaces of the vehicle. Exterior design is first done by a series of digital or manual drawings, and clay (industrial plasticine) models are developed from those drawings. 3 and 5 CNC Milling Machines are utilized in creating the clay model of the final design.Even in modern times with 3d software and virtual models on powerwalls, the clay model is still the most important tool in evaluating the design of a car and therefore used throughout the industry. The data from these models are then used to create a further mockups of the final design.
Interior Design: The stylist responsible for the interior design of the vehicle develops the proportions, shape, placement, and surfaces for the instrument panel, seats, door trim panels, headliner, pillar trims, etc. With the interior, the emphasis is on ergonomics and the ultimate comfort of the passengers. The design process with the interior design of the car is the same as with exterior design (sketch, digital model and clay model).The aesthetic value of the interior will need to correspond to ergonomic functionality and utility features as well. In particular, vehicular electronic components and parts will give more challenges to automotive designers who are required to update designs based on the latest information and knowledge associated with emerging vehicular gadgetry, particularly dashtop mobile devices, like GPS navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, mobile TV, MP3 players, video playback and smartphone interfaces.
Color and Trim Design: The color and trim (or color and materials) designer is responsible for the research, design, and development of all interior and exterior colors and materials used on a vehicle. These include paints, plastics, fabric designs, leather, grains, carpet, headliner, wood trim, and so on. Designers work closely with the exterior and interior designers and draw inspiration from other design disciplines such as: industrial design, fashion, home furnishing, architecture and sometimes product design.
Graphic Design: The design team also develop graphics for items such as: badges, decals, dials, switches, kick or tread strips, liveries. Concept sketching
Clay modeling
Class A surfaces
Scale model creation
Prototype development
Computer-aided design
Computer modeling
Powertrain engineering
Manufacturing process design

The Development Process

Includes the following steps:

Education

Automotive design is practiced by designers who have art backgrounds and degrees in industrial design or transportation design. Careers related to Auto Design include product design, automotive engineering, and electrical engineering. Successful designers need to be creative and should have strong math, drawing, and science skills. They must also have strong skills in computer-aided draftingand communication.

Since Automotive Design is a very competitive field, a high level of academic achievement is beneficial when looking for an entry-level job. Courses such as industrial design, electrical engineering, mathematics, environmental science and computer-aided drafting are often required for designers looking to break into the industry. An automotive engineering degree program can provide simulation training and hands-on experience in the field. An internship or work study program is often a necessary component of many automotive engineering colleges, and this can provide immediate job placement after graduation.

The following schools of higher education are recommended:

Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA
Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA
The Art Institutes
College for Creative Studies Detroit, MI
Humber College Toronto, Canada
Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI
Pratt Institute New York, NY
Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, GA
University of Cincinnati – School of Design Cincinnati, OH

Outlook

Despite the stagnant growth of the automotive manufacturing industry, careers in automotive design is still projected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014. There is still a high demand for skilled engineers who specialize in technology and computer-aided processes and a focus on an increasing fuel-efficient economy offer valuable opportunities for a successful automotive engineering career.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that starting offers averaged $48,585 for those with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. However, salaries for car designers varies greatly depending on experience, employer and location.

Article also available at http://www.designschools.com/careers-jobs/automotive-designer.html

There are several valves that play a critical role in the efficient operation of your vehicle. For example, intake valves allow fuel into each cylinder’s combustion chamber. Exhaust valves allow vapors to exit the chambers following the combustion process. When problems form with the valves, your engine may suffer performance issues, including misfires and compression leaks. It’s important to have such problems addressed quickly to preserve your engine’s performance.

With that in mind, we’ll answer the most common questions people ask about their vehicles’ valves. The following should give you a better understanding regarding why they’re important, the issues that affect them, and the best approach toward resolving problems.

“What Causes Valves To Fail?”

Like all components, valves suffer wear and tear over tens of thousands of miles. If you drive your car far enough, they’ll eventually need to be replaced. However, they can fail long before they wear down due to burning or breaking.

Valves perform their jobs under extremely high temperatures. Exhaust valves run exceptionally hot (up to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit) because they are exposed to the vapors that result from the combustion process. These high temperatures make them especially susceptible to burning.

When the valves burn, the metal become less sturdy. It’s not uncommon for them to suffer fatigue, causing pieces to break off. When this occurs, a compression leak develops.

“What Happens During A Valve Job?”

This type of repair work involves removing the cylinder head to expose the failing valves and guides. The more thorough repair shops will completely dismantle the cylinder head so the individual components can be cleaned and inspected. If cracks are identified, the entire head is either fixed or replaced (cracks are serious because they allow coolant to seep into the combustion chamber).

Next, the guides are replaced since they are usually worn past the point of effectiveness. The valves are either refaced if they’re still usable, or replaced.

“How Much Does This Type Of Work Cost?”

The repair bill can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. A lot depends on the type of engine in your vehicle and the type of repairs needed. For example, fixing a single valve in a standard 4-cylinder might cost under $400, including the labor. On the other hand, replacing multiple valves, fixing a crack head, and performing related repairs on an import can drive the bill upward.

“What Is A Leakdown Test?”

A leakdown test is used to find compression leaks from your cylinders’ combustion chambers. It identifies whether your cylinders are sealing properly and if they’re not, measures the percentage leakage. It’s worth noting that all engines suffer a degree of compression leakage. Even the best engines leak up to 10 percent of their compression. If a leakdown shows a compression loss of 30 percent or more, have a mechanic check your intake and exhaust valves.

“What Other Problems Can Affect Valves?”

Besides burning, breaking, and suffering normal wear and tear, your engine’s valves can also become bent. This can occur for several reasons, but often happens due to a broken timing belt. The belt breaks and sends the cylinder’s piston crashing into the valve. If a significant amount of damage results, the valve will need to be replaced. If the damage is minor, it can be refaced and reinstalled.

Engine valves receive far less attention than they deserve. They fill a role without which your vehicle could not operate efficiently. By sealing the combustion chamber, and opening at the precise moment to allow fuel to enter and gases to exit, your intake and exhaust valves perform a critical function. As such, when problems occur, they should be addressed quickly.

Repairing these components can be expensive, and becomes more so with the extent of the damage (i.e. cracks, breaks, etc.). However, neglecting the problem practically ensures it will be more costly to fix down the road.