Christopher Lavelanet has done his masters in Automotive Design from the Coventry School of Art & Design and presently he is working as a Project Manager for 4sight Inc., a product / packaging design firm based in New York City. Lately we contacted for an email interview, contents of which follows after a slight jump.
1. Christopher please, introduce yourself to our readers?
Christopher: Hmm!!!! Let see here… Where do I start??? Well, I am MA Automotive Design graduate from the Coventry School of Art & Design, and I am currently working as a Project Manager for a product / packaging design firm based in New York City by the name of 4sight Inc.
Upon graduation in December 2005, I collaborated on a project with the New York School of Interior Design and freelanced for a furniture design firm prior to joining 4sight. Within two years at 4sight, I quickly ascended into a managerial position gaining most of my success in designing innovative bottle packaging for the Pepsi Co. brands such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Starbucks, Lipton, and more.
When I stop and think about it, my design career has been quite short but very exciting thus far. To be honest, I only started designing formerly in 2004. I studied Economics in High school and Mathematics for my BA degree, but I always had an eye for design and a strong passion for automobiles. I basically never found creative satisfaction in my career in finance, so I took a chance by quitting my job and pursuing my dream, and I have been rewarded and blessed with amazing opportunities thus far, so I can’t complain!!!!
2. Please tell us your story behind the project Mercedes Benz A Class which was the introductory module to your MA automotive design at CSAD?
Christopher: The project brief was quite simple and straightforward at the surface which was to design the “generation after next” Mercedes-Benz A-Class for 2015. As Mercedes-Benz is a brand which prides itself on an evolutionary design progression, the true underlying challenge behind the project was to decipher the German brand’s design identity and project it into the future all the while respecting the A-Class’ own sub-design philosophy. This required intense research into the design language, heritage and ideology of the brand as well as identifying the key competitors within its market segment. I found it to be a useful exercise in understanding what it is which makes Mercedes and other manufacturers, for that matter, unique in their form language by recognizing key evolving character lines, surface language, proportions and stance.
I began by distinguishing the key character lines of the current 2005 A-Class in comparison to the design language of the Mercedes family of vehicles. I first developed my ideation by designing the next-generation 2010 model which looked towards a lower, lengthier and sportier 1-box bodystyle with more dynamic slashing character lines reminiscent of the CL model. From there, I projected the design into the 2015 model by exaggerating the proportions even further which transitioned into a coupe/monospace mpv crossover with a more aggressive lines and surfacing and bold graphic rear light and window details. The end result was a 3-door, 5-seater sporty mpv which appeals to both young and elderly consumers with active lifestyles.
3. Christopher, please acquaint our readers with your Luxury Resort Water Taxi?
Christopher: The Helios Luxury Resort Water Taxi was the result of a collaborative project with the New York Institute of Interior Design centering around an artificial beach resort & spa on the NYC piers. Alongside Owen & Mandolfo’s current Head Designer, Bruno Guelaff, my role was to design a private luxury water taxi for the resort. The ideology behind the vehicle’s design was to provide a relaxing, complimentary environment for members which ultimately prepared them for their exotic escape at the resort. In the interest of providing quick trips to and from the resort, the boat was fitted with a trimiran hull type which maximizes stability at high speeds. The boat’s styling drew heavy influence from Art Deco, specifically the elongated, streamlined, and geometric proportions of 1940’s & 50’s Cadillac, Buick and Plymouth hood ornaments.
In addition, the interior lounge cabin design drew heavy influence from the nautilus shell. The overall spiraling oval shape provides comfortable seating and bar standing area for resort members while maintaining a free-flowing space for those who want to stay mobile. The design of the space truly allows for steady circulation of users walking in and out onto the deck.
The final design was successfully presented at the NYSID Annual Exhibition in May, 2006 alongside other interior design thesis projects. In retrospect, it was a really rewarding experience in brainstorming with a creative individual from another field. It also awakened my enthusiasm for boat design and naval architecture and I aspire to enter the yacht industry as a designer at some point in my career.
4. You have done a tremendous amount of work in the genre of transport design which includes a finalist concept in the Ferrari: “New Concepts of the Myth”, a shortlisted entry in the Interior Motives Design Competition, a project with Bridge of Weir Leather Co. So you’ve kind of been at the cutting edge of design from the beginning?
Christopher: Yeah!! I guess you can say that….In many instances, a designer is only as good as the project he/or she is working on. A designer is great when he/or she maximizes and transforms the project he/or she is working on into something which transcends the brief.
For me the opportunity to work on a dream project “of a lifetime” came in the form of a Prancing Horse dressed in red. Indeed, in conjunction with my MA course, I was selected to participate in the Ferrari: “New Concepts of the Myth” competition where top students from 5 of the most reputed automotive design programs in the world (including the Tokyo Communication Arts, Coventry University, Detroit College of Creative Studies, and the Instituto Europeo di Design) participate for a chance to shape the future of Ferrari.
We were asked to propose stimulating alternatives to the internationally acclaimed shapes of the mid-engine 8 cyl. & front-engine 12 cyl. Ferraris, and I, along with two other group members, responded with a 4 Dr., 4 seater mid-engine V12 “Grand Flagship” GT by the name of “650 Berlina Sportiva”. The ideology behind the concept was to allow the “Ferrari driver” to share the exhilaration of driving a true sports car with its passengers via onboard interactive technology. The flagship concept looked to enhance Ferrari’s “Sport car DNA” heritage by blending lean proportions and athletic stance into a subtle yet sophisticated GT bodystyle with saloon-like interior accommodation.
As finalists in the competition, we gained valuable industry experience working alongside chief designers such as Frank Stephenson and Ken Okuyama and received worldwide acclaim from various press mediums such as The Sunday Times, Autocar, Auto Express, Ferrari.com, MSN, to name a few. The highlight of this project, for me, was our visit to the Ferrari factory as well as lunch at the Cavalino restaurant with Sergio Pininfarina, Jean Todt and other distinguished industry heads.
In regards to the Interior Motives design competition in February, 2005, I was eager to submit an entry into the annual award ceremony as I found the project categories and briefs of the competition to be interesting, well-rounded and very pertinent to today’s industry demands. In light of the ongoing Ferrari project, I chose to base the Maserati Quattro Sportiva off of the already established Ferrari package I had been working on in order to leave more time for exterior styling and interior designing. Indeed, the Quattro Sportiva is a 4-Dr, 4 seater sports GT which provides a more raw, aggressive and sportier alternative to the more elegant Quattroporte saloon concept. The exterior design for the vehicle initially spawned from a rectangular block and looked at how to chisel a simplistic, dynamic sculptural automotive form from it. As a result of this strategy, my entry was shortlisted (top 5 entry) in both the “Best Production Exterior” and “Best Production Interior” categories and my work was displayed at the Awards Ceremony in Frankfurt.
In addition, in accordance with an industry-sponsored project led by Bridge of Weir Scottish Leather Company, I designed an automotive related seat which utilized the latest BOW Color Odessey III leather collection. The aim of the project was to introduce new innovative ways to apply leather all the while illustrating how the chosen textures and colors relate to the seat design theme and context. In response to the brief, I designed a sports luxury seat for Maserati, specifically for the Quattro Sportiva concept I had previously conceived. I looked to embody the structural essence of a racing seat inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s furniture design and combine it with the stylistic characteristics of premium Italian fashion: Elegance, sophistication, and high quality, refined appearance.
5. We’d like to hear the making of Future Taxi concept for which you won the second place at the Coventry University MA Degree Show (2005)?
Christopher: For my final MA thesis project, I decided to design my own interpretation of a future New York City yellow cab. With the growing consumer awareness of future New York City inhabitants, I felt there was a genuine need for a more sophisticated, purpose-built public transport solution which appeases the demand for personalization and customization. Inspired by the “3-Box” design of traditional horses and carriages, my taxi concept utilizes technological innovation and improved inter-cabin occupant interaction within a compartmentalized body-style in order to enhance the emotional experience of being in one of the world’s most recognized icons. As a result of this project, I received the Corus 2nd Prize Award for “Best Vehicle Design” of the 2005 Coventry University MA Degree Show.
6. What is innovation to you - design, technology or the creative processes itself?
Christopher: I believe innovation is really a combination of all of those factors you listed. It’s basically achieved when a product maximizes simplicity in its functionality and usability, all within an attractive iconic design which consumers can emotionally connect with. Usually technology is the avenue which leads to improved usability in a product and the creative design process is the system, if respectably followed, in which all these objectives can be realized.
7. 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?
Christopher: Well for most companies, concepts provide a window into their future brand identity and language. As a student in design, you purpose is to demonstrate your ability to shape the future of the automotive industry. Because most vehicles out on the market today have a 2-3 year of development cycle, designers must be able to project their creativity forward and anticipate the design trends and consumer behaviors a couple years ahead at minimum. Basically, every designer must have an “instinctive vision” in anticipating progress and future trends and give them a meaningful shape. According to one of my favorite design thinkers, Stephen Bayley (in this essay entitled “Predictions”), “Designers live in the present but have to think in the future”.
8. May we have the honor of knowing your future plans with respect to your designs? And presently, what are the interesting things that have hooked your attention?
Christopher: At the moment, I am currently working on the next generation 16-18 oz. Single –Serve Pepsi / Mountain Dew Bottle design. Pepsi and I have narrowed down the concepts to 5 designs and we plan to go into consumer testing with those concepts to get feedback on which design to choose for final prototyping. I am also finishing up the final design for the next generation 1.81 liter Multi-Serve Pepsi Co. Bottle. I have also been working a couple of other automotive projects such as a Peugeot ecological Sports car and an Opel Sports MPV. In addition, I will be moving on from 4sight inc. within the next week, to expand my design horizon and seek new challenges. I have been engaged to do freelance design work for Adidas designing Basketball Footwear and Oakley Inc. working on their line of prescription eyewear. These two projects should definitely keep me busy for a while and I am excited on providing my creative input within these two exciting industries.
For those who want to get in touch with me and chat about design or simply keep an eye on my upcoming work, you can always check out my personal website at cl-designs which I try to keep up to date as often as I can with the latest news on what I am up to. You can also refer to my coroflot account as well for my most updated portfolio page.
9. Where do you see yourself, after, let’s say, five years from now?
Christopher: Five year from now is a long time in the design world….. I see myself reintegrated within automotive industry, ideally working as a mid-level to senior level designer for a European auto manufacturer such as Alfa Romeo or Fiat. As I broaden my design awareness working on such a wide variety of products from Ferrari sports cars to Pepsi bottles, to water taxis, to Oakley eyewear, I hope to gain a wider perspective and not just be a “petrol head” which will ultimately allow me to be bring real change and true innovation to the automotive industry.
10. Any words of wisdom, you’d like to leave for our readers?
Christopher: The words of wisdom I have for Auto Motto readers out there are words which I draw from my own experience as a design enthusiast and professional which is to open your mind to the world which surrounds you….. Whatever industry within design to gravitate towards, remember not to limit yourself to thinking within the confines of that industry. Draw inspiration and develop an appreciation for all form of designs as they can be the most powerful ally in bringing true innovation within your own design field. And most importantly, keep pushing!!! Whether it is in your design creativity or even in pursuit of that dream design position, be persistent and always look for ways to make you and your designs better.
11. Finally, we’d like to have your views on Auto Motto?
Christopher: I’m a big fan of the site!!! For me, it provides young emerging designer with a central hub from which they can draw the latest information on auto design and most importantly, gain confidence in their pursuit of a design career with interesting real-life articles and true testaments from designers of all levels. The most helpful factor in my career which has always helped me push forward was speaking to fellow designers and hearing their stories on how they have progressed (and many times through struggle….). You will often find that your concerns and struggles as a designer are quite universal and that even your most revered designer which you look up to for inspiration has gone through a tumultuous path to get to the position there are in now. I believe Auto Motto is a true gateway to those stories which are the fabric of every designer out there, so read learn and enjoy!!!
A few questions in quick succession:
Do you have a signature style? If yes, what are the hallmarks of the style?
Christopher: Sure… Every designer does!!! I guess I am still in the process of breaking it down and developing a true understanding of its nature. I would describe it as emotionally driven with a touch of sensuality and subtle sophistication. My designs always have a strong character which people seem to have a strong emotional reaction to, whether it be positive or not. I tend to incorporate a dynamic yet sensual interplay between lines and surfaces by introducing a curvaceous and whimsical essence into my sketch development. I love movement in my designs. I want people to see motion in a stagnant, immobile object…. excitement in a traditionally dull and tedious object.
What would you prefer 3D CAD or sketching?
Christopher: I definitely prefer sketching. It is where my ideas take shape. I express myself through my sketches. I feel it is the medium which best allows me to bring the motion and excitement into my designs, yet at the end of the day, 3D CAD is essential in translating the dynamism of your 2D sketches into a fully developed 3D object. Your end responsibility as a designer is to provide a realistic three-dimensional object and not just an interpretive 2D illustration. On any given project, I tend to ideate and stylize on paper and workout proportions and volume in CAD and work back and forth along the way refining one based on the other.
What is global era in automotive design?
Christopher: Wow!!! Now that notion encompasses whole lot. Well in the interest of time and in order to stay consistent with the rest of this interview, I will limit my answer to the “Global Era” as it relates to automotive design. It’s simple, with the saturation of vehicle models in markets around the world, manufacturers are forced to restructure their design strategy by limiting the amount of models by merging vehicle platforms and providing more universally accepted and appealing designs across all continents. In regards to auto design, this means companies have become more multicultural in their design language and draw inspiration from a universal market which I feel is a very interesting challenge for current and future designers.
Your favorite car companies would be?
Christopher: At the moment, I am a big fan of Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Seat, and most of all Mazda. All these companies inject dynamism, emotion and sensuality into their design language. Most recently, I have absolutely fallen in love with Mazda’s new “Flow” design direction with concepts like the Nagare and Furai which I feel is a much needed, refreshing new way of looking at exterior surfacing. They took my notion of representing motion on a stagnant object and made it look like my wildest imagination. Nice!!!!!
If you had to walk in another person’s shoes for a day, it would have to be?
Christopher: That would probably be George Bush, just to find out WHAT THE HELL HE IS THINKING??? Hahahaha!!! Seriously, Salvador Dali to understand what goes through his mind when sits down and creates one of his masterpieces.
Thank you Christopher for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you luck for all your future endeavors.
