Crown Unfiltered - Car Design Podcast

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/ocYsMVy_KMw

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

 

ABOUT PATRICK:

What could possibly be said about this great man that has not already been said?

 

 

He helped save Renault from the brink of bankruptcy, designers in his team have gone on to be world-class Design Directors, he has authored multiple books, co-founded a Sustainable Design School, produced countless award-winning designs, and made it law in his studios to respond to every letter that young aspiring designers send in, regardless of their skill level.

 

Patrick was never afraid to destroy the rulebook and on more than one occasion, he hired designers that did not meet 'company requirements' with regard to qualifications. If he saw something in you, he would give you a shot, even if there was a hiring freeze.

 

He is also responsible for changing the hierarchical structure throughout the Automotive business. Prior to Patrick joining Renault, Design was a subsidiary of Engineering and the Design Director would, therefore, report to the head of Engineering. One of the conditions of accepting the role was that Patrick would be given the resources to establish Design as its own department and he, as Design Director, would report to the CEO and nobody else. This paradigm shift set a new precedent in the industry and many OEMs followed suit.

 

His achievements as a design leader are unparalleled, but when you speak with him, something that really hits home (especially if you are aware of his career) is his humility. A former guest of mine, Michael Barthly, shared an anecdote about Patrick visiting him in his student halls and eating a grubby student meal with him and his friends after giving a lecture at ISD. No fancy restaurants or fine wine – Patrick slummed it with the kids!

 

He is a gentleman and anyone that has had the pleasure of meeting him will know exactly what I am talking about.

 

He considers himself lucky and is known affectionately as 'Luckyman'. I would say that this industry is lucky, though; lucky to have benefitted so much from this great person and his legacy.

 

Thank you, Patrick. You, too, are my hero.

 

P.S. I forgot to mention that he also has designed in excess of 30 boats since he 'retired'.

 

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ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/GHMqaXQoJ2c

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

 

ABOUT DANIEL:

Another Californian-based Art Center graduate doing things completely on his own terms, Daniel Chae started his career as a designer at Oakley (a job he absolutely loved) and eventually broke away to work on Formawerx full time.

 

Here he has established a team of Car Designers, Aerospace Engineers, and people that put their all into making exquisite pieces of art that take the form of a key.

 

Each key is researched to have its very own story distilled into something so beautiful and tactile that you won’t want to put it down.

 

Some have been CNC’d and some use the latest 3d printing technology, but every single piece is finished off by hand and the results are breath-taking.

 

Craftsmanship and story-telling seem to be key (excuse the pun) touch-stones in the Forma philosophy and I can’t wait to have one commissioned for that 911 I have been fantasizing about.

 

Daniel is a very switched-on cat and has, like many of my guests, forged his own path.

 

Another compelling Californian story about design and entrepreneurship!

 

CHECK OUT FORMAWERX:

https://www.instagram.com/formawerx/

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ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/AbZFsn1rOVs

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

ABOUT CHRIS:

Chris Dunlop aka ‘’Pinstripe Chris’’ is an independent artist that specializes in Automotive Artwork, paintings and hotrod design.

 

He is an absolute master of his craft and ‘prolific’ does not even begin to describe the insane rate at which he produces work. It feels like he uploads work daily and it’s no surprise that he has amassed an insane following online.

 

A fascinating fact about Chris is that he is self-taught and that makes him even more intriguing. He is clearly a very disciplined artist, but seems to have strict rules when it comes to enjoying his surroundings in Southern California.

 

Work is important, but even more so, is getting outside on his Svartpilen or blasting his 348 through the canyons. Last, but not least, he is a serial podcast guest and is a total natural and a delight to speak. So friendly and so generous with his time.

 

This is a masterclass in independence!

 

FIND CHRIS HERE:

https://www.instagram.com/pinstripe_chris/

https://www.youtube.com/user/cruizin4customs

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/rGZYgq0Iv3Q

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

 

ABOUT HARRY:

Harry Burgess, has worn many different hats over the last 12 years from designer to hard-modeller.

 

He is an old friend mine from University and from the time we studied together he has always shown a strong aptitude for 3D, particularly clay.

 

Harry has mastered his craft as a clay modeller and is currently working for Aston Martin.

 

This was a catchup and a look at his unorthodox route into the business.

 

As with me, Harry finished University in the middle of the 2009 economic crisis and had to navigate what can only be described as stormy waters.

 

His story is incredibly fitting for today - he did it and you can too!

 

FIND HARRY HERE:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-w-burgess-43814a14/

https://www.instagram.com/harrywilliam55/

https://www.instagram.com/hlinedesign/

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/dmaKX6J8gzg

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

FIND MAREK HERE:

http://landairseadesign.com/

https://www.instagram.com/djordjevic/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marek-djordjevic-4416201/

 

 

ABOUT MAREK:

Marek spent more than 15 years with the BMW group and by the time he left in 2005, he was the Head of Exteriors for Rolls-Royce as well as the Creative Director for Designworks USA.

 

He was responsible for the reimagination of the iconic Phantom after BMW acquired the Rolls-Royce. Influence of his work is still evident in the design DNA of their latest cars - it is very difficult to look at the MK7 Phantom and other cars of that period that he designed, such as the 100EX, and say that they could have been improved. These were nothing less than exquisite.

 

Since leaving the BMW Group, Marek has been a fully independent designer and continues to pursue excellence at the highest order. He works on everything from Cars to Aircraft and he also manages to find time to teach at the prestigious Art Center in California.

 

He is articulate, sharp, and has a perspective that is truly unique - this is a masterclass in excellence!

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/nGOYnZYY8Sghttps://youtu.be/VYCKfqi3AV8

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

ABOUT JORDAN:

We have an absolute legend on the show this week and if he’s slipped through your radar, it’s because he's too busy executing in the shadows and not putting any energy into self-promotion, like the rest of us on IG!

 

Jordan was a key member of the design team that did the 2015 Ford Mustang. Prior to this, he was a Design Manager at Mazda in California during an insane period in the mid to late 2000’s where the brand was producing by far the coolest concepts in the industry. These included the Furai, Taiki, and Nagare. Jordan’s team produced the latter.

 

Prior to this, Jordan was a team leader at VW’s Advanced Design Center in Potsdam. This was in the studio’s legendary heyday where you would find people like Daniel Simon, Christian Felske, Achim Anscheidt, and, for a brief period, Anders Warming, walking the halls.

 

As a designer, Jordan was one of the pioneers in developing complete volumes in Alias. It has become commonplace now, but it certainly was not standard practice then. To the best of my knowledge, there were only a couple of people in the world doing this at the time and he had a profound influence on many designers.

 

Jordan’s thinking is incredibly unique and there are many reasons for this, including his origins at the Rhode Island School of Design. He also did a brief stint at CCS and eventually went on to do the Vehicle Design program at the Royal College of Art.

 

Last, but not least, Jordan is a faculty member of the prestigious Art Center in California and has also published a book titled: ‘Vehicle Design: Aesthetic Principles in Transportation Design’, which can be found on Amazon (This is not a paid partnership, promise!!! 😅).

 

Brilliant chat with a brilliant designer!

 

JORDAN'S BOOK:

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/College-Pasadena-California-Company-Meadows/dp/1138685607/ref=sr_1_3?crid=153D687QLNQ0G&keywords=VEHICLE+DESIGN&qid=1652890741&sprefix=vehicle+design%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-3

 

FIND JORDAN HERE:

https://www.instagram.com/jordanmeadowsdesign/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-meadows-40843613/

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/VYCKfqi3AV8

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

FIND MICHAEL HERE:

https://www.behance.net/michael_barthly/appreciated

https://www.instagram.com/barthly_design.psd/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/micha%C3%ABl-barthly-1234b51b/

 

ABOUT MICHAEL:

When Michael was 7 years old, he was paging through a magazine looking for pictures of cars.

 

By this stage of life, he had already developed an obsession that drove him to sketch them obsessively.

 

As luck would have it, he stumbled upon an article on Renault Design and his 7-year-old mind was blown.

 

Among all the cool sketches and models, was a photo of Patrick Le Quément. Michael took the article to his father and educated him on who this great man was, but more importantly, that he had to send his sketches to him.

 

Michael also told his dad that he knew that he might not get a response, but it was important that he at least tried...you will have to listen to the episode to see how the story unfolded, but it was the start of the most unlikely of friendships that is still very much alive and you could say that it was the unofficial start of his career. The story moved me to tears.

 

Years later, Michael would work on the Exterior of the uber cool Kia Proceed Concept during his internship and after returning to his studies at ISD Rubika, the Korean giant made sure that Michael returned as a permanent fixture.

 

He has now moved to Cologne and working happily as a Senior Exterior Designer at Ford. Recently, Michael re-envisioned the iconic RS200 as part of a book containing a selection of the blue ovals skunkworks. The brief, set by the Head of Design at Ford, Amko Leenarts, was for the team to submit their vision for how a modern, all-electric RS200 could look. Find out more here: https://www.stevesaxty.com/reimaginedrs200

 

As mentioned at the start of this episode, it is a rarity that you encounter young designers with the emotional intelligence that matches, if not surpasses, the creative talent needed to succeed as a designer. The kind of emotional intelligence that is an indicator of a future leader. There have only been two such examples that I have encountered and Michael is one of them.

 

This guy is only getting started!

 

A special thank you to Amko Leenarts and Ford for allowing Michael Barthly to do the podcast and speak freely. As a result, a great conversation unfolded. Thank you!

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/2y_OdYg6oy8

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

FIND LUCIA HERE:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucia-lee-157397126/

https://www.instagram.com/moondoni/

 

ABOUT LUCIA:

Lucia is an Exterior Designer based in Ingolstadt, Germany. Having been born in the US to Korean parents, transplanted to Seoul at the age of 10 and returning to America at the age of 20, she grew up with 2 polarising cultures and a truly unique perspective.

 

She studied Product Design in Korea, which is where she discovered Car Design and after a couple of extramural programs at Cornell University and Art Center in Pasadena, she decided to enroll in the Master's program at Pforzheim University.

 

Her Master These titled ‘Paon’ sent shockwaves through the industry and it did not take long for Audi snap her up where she still is today.

 

Lucia is funny, incredibly talented, and clearly dedicated to her craft. She believes strongly that everyone has their own perspective and that they should embrace it. In her own words: ‘’Your own story is the most interesting one’’

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/4FDCd-RqR1E

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

 

ABOUT SAM:

Sam has worn many hats during his career that has spanned more than two and half decades, but if you feel the need to pigeon-hole him professionally, then 'Design Strategist' is probably the most appropriate metaphorical box that can squeeze him into.

 

He studied Product Design as an undergraduate and has a Masters in Design Strategy (in case you were concerned about his credentials). Sam is one of the founders of Car Design News, was the Director and was largely responsible for tripling its revenue before the company was sold to a media producer.

 

CDR has established itself as the gold standard in Research and Strategy in the Car Design world. They have worked with virtually every OEM that comes to mind, but probably most well-known for helping Thomas Ingenlath establish his vision for Volvo when he took over the brand more than a decade ago. Sam has assembled an international team of collaborators that he calls upon when needed, but CDR is mostly him and his razor-sharp wit.

 

The guy is super smart, articulate and has the experience to riff on virtually any creative topic that comes to mind. Sam has also offered to interview me in the future about my background and, although terrifying, he is probably the man for the job!

 

FIND SAM HERE:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlivingstone?originalSubdomain=uk

https://cardesignresearch.com/

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7

VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:

https://youtu.be/BFH4dJTF87g

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

 

ABOUT DEYAN:

Deyan is another hidden gem in our industry that, had I not been informed by someone in the know, would have simply passed by under the radar.

 

The Bulgarian native is an anomaly that never studied Car Design or any creative pursuit, for that matter. It was something to do with factories or systems - I just can't remember.

 

His story, however, on how a passionate pastime led to him an opportunity with Renault, is simply astounding. An opportunity that developed into a 15-year career with the group. It included working for Dacia, Nissan and Alpine. I have to also mention (much to his dismay, I am sure) that he designed a very special car, the Alpine A110.

 

Deyan is a humble and unassuming character that is incredibly smart, informed, and a joy to spend time with.

 

Thank you, Deyan!

 

FIND DEYAN HERE:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deyan-denkov/

https://www.instagram.com/deyan_denkov/

 

====================================================

 

ABOUT ME:

I am a South African Designer, Digital Modeller and the host of Crown Unfiltered. I will be talking to a cross section of people that work in the Car Design Industry.

These will include designers, digital and clay modellers, vis artists and colour & material designers. The focus of our conversations will be centered around personal processes and experiences within the business. My aim is to demystify some of the preconceptions about this industry and give people an unadulterated glimpse into the business.

I also wish to give the younger generation the opportunity to see that the people that these professionals come in different shapes and sizes and some of them will be unknown. The intention is to see that you should always be yourself and not let your job define or change who you are.

Please get in contact if there is something specific you would like me to cover. I would also be really grateful if you could subscribe and share the podcast with anyone that has an affinity for cars, design or both. Thank you! Sam

 

FIND ME HERE!!! :

https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-ofsowitz-8b7a531a/

https://twitter.com/SOfsowitz 

https://www.facebook.com/crown.unfiltered.7