“Cars Of Character” Sets A New Standard

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Cadillac Elmiraj in front of the theater marquee (photo credit – John Grafman)

The world-class panel of automotive designers at “Cars Of Character” on October 21, 2014 consisted of Laurenz Schaffer, President, BMW Group DesignworksUSA; Frank Saucedo, Director Advance Design – GM 5350, North Hollywood; Chris Chapman, Chief Designer – Hyundai Design Center, Irvine; and Derek Jenkins, Director of Design – Mazda North America, Irvine. Each designer enlightened the guests with their perspectives on design.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Featured designers (L-R) Chris Chapman, Frank Saucedo, Laurenz Schaffer, and Derek Jenkins (photo credit – Right Track Motoring)

More than ever before, automotive products are featuring expressive and stimulating personalities. Proof of this dotted the Brownstone Street at Warner Brothers Studios. BMW showcased its highly anticipated i8. General Motors touted its elegant and stately Cadillac Elmiraj Concept. Hyundai surprised many on hand with its sophisticated HCD-14 Concept. Mazda offered a peek into the future with its 2016 MX-5 Miata. Additionally, paired up with their respective stable mates were the BMW 435i Gran Coupe, Cadillac ATS Coupe, Hyundai Genesis, and the Mazda3, allowing guests to delve into each brands styling traits.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Hyundai HCD-14 on Brownstone Street

John Grafman, Executive Director of AutoDesignO, states, “Cars Of Character is a chance for those in the automotive design industry to interact with the best and the brightest in a relaxed setting. This could only happen here in Southern California, and we’re taking full advantage of that.”

Grafman continues, “AutoDesignO is keeping the momentum up by moving forward with other related events and opportunities for those in the automotive design industry.” 2015 should be very interesting if the other upcoming events have the same caliber of talent and displays as Cars Of Character.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata on Brownstone Street. (photo credit – ©2014 Toni Avery GirlsDriveFastToo.com​ StyleAndDrive.com)

The featured design panel spent the better part of an hour discussing the expressions, attitudes, and personality of cars as seen in their designs. It’s the style of a car that not only defines what the product is, but what type of consumer will be attracted by it.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. (photo credit – John Grafman)

Eric Noble, President of the noted advanced automotive consulting firm The CARLAB, once again provided poignant moderation for the “Cars Of Character” elite cast of auto designers, as he has done for the five previous panels.

AutoDesignO has been coordinating the prior design panels for the Motor Press Guild, which have included iconic leaders of the auto design world.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Rear view of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. (photo credit – ©2014 Toni Avery GirlsDriveFastToo.com​ StyleAndDrive.com)

The featured speakers from the last gathering consisted of world-class talent including Derek Jenkins (Design Director – Mazda), Richard Kim (Senior Designer – BMW), Jae Min (Chief Designer – Volkswagen Group Interior), President of Kia and CDO).

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. 2016 Mazda Director of Design Derek Jenkins (photo credit – Right Track Motoring).

The 2011 panel comprised of Jason Hill (Eleven, and formerly Porsche), Jim Shaw (Bentley Motors), and Troy Sumitomo (Five Axis), along with the addition of the amazing Frank Stephenson (McLaren, and formerly Fiat/Ferrari). Prior panelists have included Ralph Gilles (Dodge/Chrysler), Clay Dean (GM), Franz von Holzhausen (Tesla), Henrik Fisker (Fisker Automotive), Dave Marek (Honda), Freeman Thomas (Ford), Stewart Reed (Art Center College of Design), Tom Matano (Academy of Art), and Mark West (College for Creative Studies).

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Cadillac Elmiraj with Kelleen Chea (photo credit – Right Track Motoring)

Presenting Sponsor 3DXCITE captivated guests with demonstrations and eye-popping visual displays on the Steven J. Ross Theater big screen at Warner Brothers Studios. Bunkspeed, one of the design software programs from 3DXCITE, allows incredible variations and simulations of digital models at a touch of a button. This allows creative digital designers an advantage in rendering incredible images while varying the materials, light sources, and backgrounds with amazingly life-like results.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. BMW i8 with fashion model Yuliya. (photo credit – YC Wong)

“Cars of Character” sponsor Katzkin Leather, Inc. was providing an extra does of excitement by giving away a leather interior transformation. The winning ticket holder, Janis Hirsch of www.vroomgirls.com, will have her 2010 Toyota Prius undergo the Katzkin makeover.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Charmaine Joie Couture fashions and models with Hyundai HCD-14. (photo credit – Right Track Motoring)

Charmaine Joie Couture further enhanced this special event with her latest fashions and beautiful models. Charmaine J. Rodriguez is launching her own label under the brand name Charmaine Joie Couture after 22 years of experience in the fashion industry with companies such as BCBG, NBC Fashion Star, and Samsung, to name a few. Charmaine is emerging as a respected couture dress designer with influences that range from the fashion world to cars.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. (photo credit – Right Track Motoring)

While the cars on display were notable, so are the models. Of the five models wearing Charmaine’s couture fashions, one happens to be the beautiful and engaging Kelleen Chea. Another happens to be Maxim model Yuliya C. Each dress or gown worn was created to match a specific vehicle.

The AutoDesignO Cars Of Character event on October 21, 2014 at WB Studios. Marquee at the Steven J Ross Theater (photo credit – Right Track Motoring)

Right Track Motoring captured the design panel from start to finish on video. While shooting the video inside a darkened theater is challenging, Bobby Holland and his team pulled a rabbit out of their hat. The insightful YouTube version can be seen at Cars Of Character Design Panel video

A special thanks goes out to Gene Chang, Joni Grey, Bobby Holland, Deb Pollack, and Matt Bernal / Bernal Auto Style.