Here at Auto Motto, we happen to take for the first time an online interview of an automotive designer Victor Uribe, all the way from Mexico. Over the course of the online conversation, he elucidated his achievements in the genre of auto designing and his present work with Airdesign.

Snap down and take a glimpse for yourself,

Meh: You have stepped into the world of automotive designing at a very young age. Is it because of your passion for automobiles or do you feel like creating things that have ability to change the world, I mean pulling a rabbit out of a hat?

Victor: Well I always liked cars, I don’t know why but somehow I prefer the form the shape, the curves, the colors instead of other parts like the motor, engineering etc. I like to make the things of another way, perhaps for that reason I am into design... to innovate, and to create something really new.

Meh: Talking about your achievements, well you landed third at Mexico’s International Autoshow Design Contest (2006), while grabbed first position in Latin American Car Design Contest (2007). So how has these types of recognition benefitted your career so far?

Victor: The contest of the Mexico’s International Autoshow, was an small contest, and almost without recognition by true authorities in this field (automotive design) but that was nothing useful to give me an idea of the level that had in Mexico, and as well as great creativity that exists. As far as the Latin American Aid of Automotive Design is concerned all I can say is that it has been one of the best experiences that I have had in my life, since it has allowed me to have direct bonding with the world of international automotive design, as well as of my own country.

But one of the most important fact is the prize, which is an internship in Airdesign, probably the most advanced design studio in Latin America.

Meh: Could you please tell us something about your internship in Airdesign?

Victor: Yes of course, actually, I’m with Airdesign, so I’m having many projects, such as a sports version for a Chevrolet Optra (nubira in some places), and also develop a body kit for a new car in mexico called Chevrolet Chevy C3.

Meh: A sports version for a Chevrolet Optra wow! How would this be different from the original one?

Victor: It changes a lot... the grill, for example, bumpers etc.

Now I’ll tell something about Airdesign, this is probably the most advanced design studio in Latin America. And as you know I got here wining the Latin-American car design contest.

Airdesign started, as an after market company developing body kits for cars such as Ford, GM, Nissan but now it works very closely with car makers such as SEAT, Volkswagen, Ford, GM, etc. It means that Airdesign develops news versions for those companies.

Meh: So what challenges does the company offers you? And how has been your experience working with this company, so far?

Victor: About challenges, I think that take my design from scratch to finish considering all the aspects, such as materials, costs, merchandising, is something very hard, but I think that I’m doing very well.

My experience since the first day has been awesome, I’ve never seen a place like this before, because is very impressive. Also, is been a nice experience for me because I’m learning about this business (design) at a very young age.

Meh: What would you prefer AutoCAD or Rhinoceros 3D? And why?

Victor: Because it’s very logical, is very simple and quite useful, I don’t feel very comfortable with AutoCAD honestly. Also I’d like to learn new software called Alias, some people says that is even better than Rhinoceros.

Meh: Do you prefer product design to car design?

Victor: Obviously car design because is my real passion are cars, but if you consider that a car is a product. Product design is very involved in car design, but car design is definitively a higher level because you must consider several aspects, ergonomics, cost and engineering. Also in car design you can see all the stages of product design such as graphic design, jewelry design, etc.

Meh: What are some of the emerging trends that you see in the automotive designing?

Victor: Cleaner cars! That’s exactly what we need, honestly we don’t need faster cars, we need cleaner cars. I just can imagine a future without a cleaner energy source.

Another thing, very important is the space in the streets the congestion, we must solve that!

All this can be solved that’s exactly the job of a designer of course.

Meh: So you feel cleaner and portable cars are in the trend? Are you looking forward to it too?

Victor: Yep! Something renewable, I mean hydrogen exactly. Also, I feel that we are running out of gas.

Meh: What is innovation to you - design, technology or the creative processes itself? And why?

Victor: Innovation has to be involved in all aspects of a new product or a new design. I think that innovation has to be the first word in a designer’s dictionary, but sometimes we must consider another very important word called cost.

But why we are innovating all the time? I think that is because we are in a very competitive society. Recently I’ve seen a very nice video from Cris Bangle and in this video he said: ‘All is fair in design and war’ and I really feel that is true.

Meh: So you believe that credit for creating ‘cleaner and portable cars’ would be given to innovation rather than technology?

Victor: Yeah! Well sometimes the technology is expensive.

Meh: Is there any project that has given you immense satisfaction?

Victor: mm...As I told you, the Chevrolet, Optra, and also the Chevy C3 (body kit only).

Meh: Where do you see yourself, after, let’s say, five years from now?

Victor: Well, probably finishing my studies in design, and trying to get a job in a design studio, but if I can get it before would be nice, also I’d like to get an internship in a car company in Europe, or in the US, or maybe in Asia which is a very important market right now.

Meh: What work are you seeing right now that’s blowing you away?

Victor: mm... Definitely I’m working very hard here (airdesign) and also knowing that we are working closely with great companies like GM and Ford.

Meh: Any words of wisdom, you’d like to give to our readers?

Victor: Ok, well let’s start to think green, but why? because if we don’t change our minds sooner or later we will pay the cost. And also I think that car design can help to save the environment.

Meh: Car design can help to save the environment- how?

Victor: yep, re-thinking the way design of a car, really focus, in what we really need, using new materials, of course, something that we can recycle.

Meh: Finally, we would like to have your thoughts on the Instablogs News Network and all its related sites. Which one is your favorite?

Victor: About the blogs, I think that Automotto, is a good one, and also, Hybrid car news.

What comes to your mind when I say the following:

Meh: If not a designer, Victor Uribe would have been....

Victor: I don’t know maybe a race driver.

Meh: Choose one, Dante Giacosa or Alec Issigonis and why?

Victor: mm... Good one Alec is very important too, but I prefer the Italian style so I will take Dante Giacosa.

Meh: Most distinct and recognizable contemporary car brands would be?

Victor: BMW, Ferrari, Renault, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes Benz and Bentley.

Meh: Describe your style, like a good friend of yours would describe it.

Victor: Ok...Something youthful full of new technology but always keeping in mind the environment.

Meh: If you had to walk in another man’s shoes for a day, it would have to be.....

Victor: Giorgio Giugiaro.... lol

Meh: If given a chance, what would you like to change in the world?

Victor: I would like to get a most efficient and cleaner source of energy... (Might sound too “green” but.....)

Wow! It was great to have an online interview with u......thank you for your time and all the best for your future from Instablogs Team! I really enjoyed taking this interview.

Oki, thank you very much Pooja!