Premiere episode of Vizcom’s new series: Design Decoded, exploring automotive design with Bob Munson
Buick Wildcat Design and Rendering
The inspiration for this series of sketches came from a motorcycle fairing and the AF/VK Pontiac GTO rendering.
I’ve always admired the advertising artwork of Art Fitzpatrick & Van Kaufman. The gorgeous illustrations had backgrounds just as important as the cars depicted. My favorites are the 60’s Pontiacs. I love the wide angle views.
I crudely sketched over the fairing in Photoshop then put it in Vizcom. I clipped each panel of the Vizcom rendering separately and re-proportioned them on the AF/VK artwork. I tried to use perspective in Photoshop to do the exaggerated view but that didn’t work. Notice that the ladies arm leaning on the Pontiac is lower on my design since I cheated the height.
I didn’t know what brand to make my design until the first Vizcom sketch was finished. A Ferrari grille fit nicely, so I used it. When I re-generated the rendering in Vizcom, I decided to rebrand it as a Buick. The soft shapes and curving lines fit nicely with the Buick brand character.
Vizcom turned the lady leaning on the car into a robot. I added more detail to put more emphasis on her/it.
—Bob Munson
Vizcom video posted by permission.
If you want to see more of how Bob developed these renderings, go to munsoncardesign.com.
Buick Wildcat Development
Spectacular work, Robert! I am inspired to view your Vizcom videos in an effort to bring my own long-dormant skills back into focus.
Your mid-engined Corvette renderings have the nugget of theme and detail that I find much more appealing than the C8, which I find far too fussy and confusing.
Excellent work and presentation. Love the reference to AF/VK, whom I visited at Van’s (palatial) home.
I have long been a fan of Bob and the work which he creates. I will never forget that moment when he shared that very simple, yet riveting sketch of a CTS Coupe, in fact I still have a copy of that sketch. This interview is brilliant and I am so impressed and inspired by the work which he is doing today.
Ed
BOB is a design talent that is only exceeded by his ability to illustrate. The sketches are wonderful, inspirational yet so close to being possible.
I especially like the red cars that he does, but his mastery of silver is beyond compare. Beautiful pieces of artwork.
Something that I have to add.
BOB presents a clear and undeniable demonstration that car designers, to be successful must become true artists. Sometimes it takes awhile, after they start, as what drew them to be car designers was the mechanics.
It is the art that they do that attracts interest, whether it be management or enthusiasts. With these demonstrated pieces, he shows that the added technologies at his aesthetically driven fingertips can now take him far beyond what we see here.
That is the work I hope to see in the future.
How do designers feel when their best work is rejected by bean-counters et al? Does that experience motivate them to try harder, does it depress them, or both? How often are pieces of their conceptual work later applied to production models, and does that motivate them to keep going? How tough is the competition in a design studio?
I have nothing but admiration for Bob’s work. He and I worked together during our GM careers. The fact that he embraced AI/Vizcom and continues to produce outstanding work speaks volumes for his skills. Great work, Bob!
Great presentation Bob. Love your Cadillac.
These are not cars, they’re automotive beach sandals with zero visibility. Replace the wheels with wings, flip it upside-down, and it’s a revolutionary new aircraft!
In a single word. WOW.
I believe my thoughts concerning Robert’s talent
Is his superb ability to understand and communicate DESIGN as a universal language. Crossing
All boundaries .
I truly admire his talent to draw you into his expression of Art
Technology, and Science.
Robert…your work is refreshing
Gorgeous and amazing.
Interestingly I have had the privilege and honor to work with
many of the designers making comments here.
Unfortunately I never had the privilege of working with you
Robert…but I know I would have
Enjoyed your vibe. Cheers, Chris
Great video and outstanding designs as always, Bob. Your professionalism is obvious.
Thank You For taking the time to create this series.