Michael Leonhard is a young artist from Austria. At the age of 27 he certainly promises to be a creative force to be reckoned with. He has already developed numerous concepts during his young career. They range from subtle facelifts for existing car brands and models, to imaginary and futuristic vehicle designs and yet there are more hidden gems stored in the ocean of his creative genius, scroll down to take a trip of his exclusive interview with us,
1. Who is Michael Leonhard outside the professional frame?
Leonhard: Who I am? I would say I am a person like you and me ;-) having my individuality, talents, dreams and experiencing many aspects on life, having good times and bad times.
2. Leonhard, in your web page, you’ve mentioned that the most difficult part in concept illustration ‘lies in its deceiving simplicity’, please substantiate a little o’er it for our readers?
Leonhard: You need to know how much detail to add to a concept drawing - and equally important, how much to leave out. Despite the fact that often the artist is dealing with complex technical structures, the designs have to be clearly readable and rendered in a dynamic, almost casual way. The way you draw and accomplish your concept can determine if you can sell your design or not.
3. Do you prefer car design to product design?
Leonhard: I am a car nut I prefer car design to product design for sure. Designing and styling cars is a beautiful job. And there can’t be anything better to do what you love and getting paid for it. I like product design also, but everything around car styling & design is my preferred action.
4. We’d like to hear the making of ‘Lynx’ for which you won third prize at the Paris Motor Show 2000?
Leonhard: The Peugeot Lynx 2020 concept was done for the 1st Peugeot Design contest held in 2000. Back then I had 2-3 years of experience in creating car designs, mainly doing custom and styling concepts for existing cars. The ‘Lynx’ was my 2nd real concept car I ever designed at this time. It’s a mix of hot rod and race car with room for 4 persons. It was my vision how the Peugeot for the year 2020 should look like. So you can imagine I was quite happy, when it made the Top 10 out of nearly 2000 submitted designs worldwide.
5. You believe in resurrecting old cars or in creating new ones by sheer imagination?
Leonhard: I love resurrecting old cars. There are so many classic cars that are already legends, dreams on wheels that everybody knows. And in fact there is much emotion in connection with classic cars, Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper or the Fiat 500 just to name a few. So it’s no surprise that the new editions are top sellers. They are modern but you can feel and see their roots. That’s why I often think how this or that classic may look if resurrected for present or future. And this is what my current concept design for a Next Generation Dodge Charger is about. The Dodge Charger is a muscle car legend. If you hear ‘Charger’ your first imagination are the second generation models from 1968 - 1970. And that was my starting point to rebirth the legendary Dodge Charger for 2009/2010. A bad two-door Coupe like back in the days but freshened up with a modern and futuristic touch. A car you cannot go by without looking on it; a car to rule the road like Darth Vader rules outer space.
6. Concepts of auto designers are ahead of its time, in the sense that the designs have futuristic undertone, what do you have to say in this regard?
Leonhard: Designers must think about what consumers will like in 5, 10 or 20 years. And design is the most important purchase criteria. Further functionality and a positive image are crucial to make a car sell. From the first sketch to the finished car are years of development between. So the future plays an important role.
7. As we know that you have varied interests besides car designing, so would you please make our readers acquaint with the other side of your creative genius?
Leonhard: I love Hot Rod and Custom Culture. This movement is very creative and progressive. In the past years designers and auto makers took inspiration from this scene for concept or production cars. The Plymouth Prowler proved that and even the Ford Forty-Nine concept car. My work is heavily influenced by the Hot Rod / Custom movement. Besides car design (including hot rod and custom car designs) I also do Low Brow art. Low Brow is deeply connected with Custom Culture. Never standing still I love to evolve and vary my style and skills. Any art form can provide inspiration. And I think it’s good to have more ways of artistic expression not only for diversion.
8. Whom would you prefer Syd Mead or Doug Chiang and why?
Leonhard: There are several designers that I admire. Syd Mead and Doug Chiang are two of them. I don’t want to make a preference, both are absolutely great! Also Thom Taylor and Steve Stanford were a big influence in my beginnings, because their subjects are Hot Rods and Customs. Marcello Gandini is a big man and design genius. He has created automobile milestones like the Lamborghini Countach and the Lancia Stratos. His design work is absolutely fascinating and intimidating. After over 30 years his car designs still look futuristic and out of this world.
9. What work are you seeing right now that’s blowing you away?
Leonhard: Some production cars that I like to look at, when I see them in real life: The current 5 series BMW, or the actual Honda Civic - with their progressive styling they look different than the rest of the pack. French cars are quite distinctive, for example Citroen, Peugeot or Renault. The automobiles of these companies have a strong character and branding design values. The Citroen C6 is one of my favorites, a unique expression of elegance and luxury. Right now, I also dig British products. It’s fascinating to see the evolution of British cars like Rolls Royce or Aston Martin. And as a muscle car fan myself - the next Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro are pretty killer!
10. Where do you see yourself after five years? I mean, any dreams, or plans for the coming future?
Leonhard: I don’t make a big plan for myself for the next years. I just stay doing the best concerning my work and keep constantly building a brand on my name as an artist and designer. Availing the resources and possibilities I already have keeping eyes open and look for new opportunities.
If I could choose to make a dream come true I would like to design a new De Tomaso Pantera or new Lancia Stratos. But this depends on the deciders and keepers of these models, the car companies. If I would get a call to envision one of these cars, sure I will take the challenge.
11. Any parting words of wisdom, you’d like to leave for our readers?
Leonhard: Live the life of your dreams. As good as you can. Do what you want. Never give up! Respect yourself and your environment.
12. Finally, we’d like to have your views on Instablogs News Network and Auto Motto?
Leonhard: Online magazine like Auto Motto provides latest information. Days or weeks before you read it in newspapers or magazines. We are living in a time where everything is moving and changing fast. And staying up-to-date is crucial.
Instablogs is a good source to learn and know what car enthusiasts are talking about and screaming for, their wishes and dreams on automobiles. So car companies and car designers do good to get to know what the driver of today wants tomorrow.
Wow! This is indeed a wonderful interview, thank you Leonhard for sparing out time for doing a rendezvous with us, it is greatly appreciated and also I’d like to wish you success for all your future endeavors.
