FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE CONTEXT ON MY GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/crownunfiltered/
VIDEO VERSION OF THIS:
https://youtu.be/7PWua-tBtgk
ABOUT MARTIN:
This man is one of the Car Design industry's biggest unsung heroes and nothing short of a legend.
Martin has designed award-winning cars, products and motorbikes. He also competed in the British Formula 3 Championship against many great race car drivers, including Nigel Mansell and the amazing Ayrton Senna.
The Scottish native could easily have embraced the comfort of corporate security. Instead, he passionately sought out challenge after challenge and had to prove himself in every new situation.
Martin has contributed an insane amount to the industry and he did this from the shadows as a freelancer, a gun for hire, a hitman...whatever you want to call it. He has built a reputation for getting things done.
The first big project that put him as well as the UK-based design house, IAD, on the international design map, was a concept car called the Alien (used in the thumbnail for this episode). Martin went on to spend almost 4 decades (and counting) working independently for many different companies including AUDI, Ford, BMW and Aprilia Motorcycles.
He contributed an immeasurable amount to both the Iconic Z3 and the first-generation Audi TT. Unfortunately, he has never been credited for his contributions to either project. The story of the TT, in particular, has been one of the most callous acts of exploitation in the industry, even by large German OEM standards.
I did probe Martin on this during our conversation and, understandably, he refused to elaborate on the subject. It's been nothing short of torturous and after almost 30 years, he is happy to leave it in the past. At times there have been half-arsed attempts by very senior executives to make things 'right', but it's proved to be little more than lip service. I urge everyone to do their own research on the subject before accepting what has been fed to us.
It needs to be said that despite all this, Martin continued gracefully and with the kind of dignity that is devoid in much of our industry. It's been a very tough path, but he has retained his independence and is still fresh as fuck at the ripe old age of 63! He sketches daily and is a working designer.
I don't know if Martin will ever get the respect that he truly deserves, but every young person starting out should take a leaf out of his book!
MARTIN'S SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/_ml_design/
ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/martinlongmore/
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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
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