Shawn Moghadam, has worked as a design consultant in Nitto Tire Co., Infinite Technologies, Catalyst, Walt Disney Imagineering, Shoot the Moon II, to name a few. As I went through his profile I came across many designs that were saturated with futuristic attributes, hence I thought of having him here with us on auto motto, scroll down and see the contents of his email interview, which we conducted with him.
1. What made you to take up auto-design as a career and how did you go about it?
Shawn: I have always liked cars and drawing, so I wanted to make a living doing it. I didn’t think it would be possible at first, but after I won a Motor Trend design contest, I decided to go for it. Though it was very expensive and risky, I now feel it was the best thing for me.
2. One of your designs looks like an oversize Canon Digital Elf camera on wheels. What do you have to say in this regard?
Shawn: I say Yes...and thank you. I prefer to call it “I-pod design”: a very simple yet efficient trend in the industrial design world. Among the many other benefits this car offers to city commuters, this design also maximizes cubic real- estate by going upwards rather than sideways and allows 2 vehicles to travel in the same lane. This platform is based on an existing vehicle called the Tango.
3. Do you think there’s something you’re most proud of so far, one particular project that came off really well?
Shawn: My baby in the design world would have to be a tire design I did for Nitto Tires USA. I won my second $10,000 award with this design [shown above] and feel it helped me be a part of something new in the design world; Tire tread design. I look at tire design the same way as home computers cases; 15 years ago people didn’t really care about what it looked like, just as long as it got the job done, but now people care. The INVO tire helped me be a part of this growing notion.
4. All your designs have futuristic undertone may we assume that you are heralding a new epoch in the genre of auto design?
Shawn: I think most designers want to be a part of something new and successful. So I try to create something unique and acceptable by the general public. As in most great inventions in history, most great car designs have been rejected over and over by executives who fear change. Designs for Trend setting cars such as the Miata, 300c, or the new MINI floated around car studios for years before someone actually decided to take a chance on them.
5. What do you prefer, a freelance project or a sponsored one and why?
Shawn: Freelance can be a surprise and a lot of fun, offering a lot of freedom to experiment. Sponsored can be more challenging but that is fun too. I personally keep busy with both kinds; I have a steady job at GM and do a lot of freelance work on the side.
6. Your designs are basically targeted to which international market?
Shawn: I would want them to be world appealing, but I do most of the vehicles for environments and people I understand and am familiar with, so mostly for the US market.
7. I’m curious to know will electric cars hit the mainstream anytime soon, a similar case you’ve mentioned in Latimes too.
Shawn: As soon as oil companies can make as much money with electricity, we will start seeing the infrastructure in major corporations. I say within the next 10 to 15 years.
8. Do the contemporary cars focus more features and benefits than looks and style, how do you delineate the present market?
Shawn: Definitely, car companies need to make money so they stick with what works, and so we have mostly Generic cars. I feel this is good and bad. On the one hand, by copying or benchmarking an existing and successful vehicle you can concentrate your efforts into making it better. But on the other hand, if you copy too much you end up with something boring and lose your creative edge.
9. Any suggestions, you’d like to give to the budding designers?
Shawn: Practice makes perfect. Work hard and do not give up.
10. What work are you seeing right now that’s blowing you away?
Shawn: Entertainment designs from movie studios and Mazda at a distant second.
Teeny weeny bits:
What kind of car do you drive?
Shawn: 91 CRX si(5-speed), 98 BMW 540i(6-speed) and a 05 Scion Xb. All arctic white.
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
Shawn: My mom
Your favorite car companies would be?
Shawn: Honda, Nissan and maybe GM
Website(s) you must per day?
Shawn: Google
Thank you Shawn for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you success for all your future endeavors.
