Beginner Automotive Design

Objective: Understand the significance of side views in automotive design and basic sketching techniques.

Topics Covered:

• Overview of the automotive design process and the role of side views.

• Key design elements: proportions, balance, and stance.

• Introduction to basic automotive sketching materials (pens, markers, digital tools).

Activity: Sketch basic side profiles of simple vehicles, focusing on proportions and line quality.

Homework: Create 3 rough side-view sketches of different vehicle types (sedan, SUV, coupe).

Objective: Master the key proportions and measurements used in automotive side views.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding proportions: wheelbase, overhangs, rooflines, height, and length.

• The role of proportions in defining car categories (compact cars, luxury sedans, sports cars).

• Establishing visual balance and stance in side profiles.

Activity: Create proportion guidelines and apply them to side-view sketches of 2 vehicle types.

Homework: Complete side-view sketches of 2 vehicles with varying proportions.

Objective: Design wheels and explore how wheelbase and stance affect the side profile.

Topics Covered:

• Wheel design fundamentals: diameter, width, and placement.

• The impact of wheelbase and ground clearance on side profile and aesthetics.

• Stance and its influence on the visual appeal of the vehicle (low stance vs high stance).

Activity: Sketch vehicles with different wheelbases and wheel designs, experimenting with stance.

Homework: Create 3 side-view sketches focusing on varying wheelbases and vehicle stances.

Objective: Develop an understanding of shape language and how to create dynamic side-view silhouettes.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding the importance of silhouette and visual impact.

• Shape language: smooth vs angular, soft vs aggressive forms.

• The role of rooflines, shoulder lines, and beltlines in defining character.

Activity: Sketch different vehicle silhouettes with distinct shape language (luxury, sporty, utilitarian).

Homework: Complete 3 side-view sketches focusing on silhouette and shape language.

Objective: Explore surface flow and how to control light and shadow in side views.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to surface development in automotive design.

• Understanding surface transitions, curvature, and how they affect visual flow.

• Creating highlights and shadows to define surface changes and body panels.

Activity: Practice surface sketching techniques by adding subtle surface changes to side-view sketches.

Homework: Create 2 side-view sketches focusing on surface flow and body panel transitions.

Objective: Learn how to introduce basic side tip-up views to enhance depth and realism.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to tip-up views and how to shift from pure side view to a 3/4 side profile.

• Maintaining proportions and perspective when rotating a side view slightly.

• Using side tip-up views to explore more dynamic compositions.

Activity: Create 2 tip-up view sketches, starting with a standard side view and transitioning to a slightly rotated perspective.

Homework: Sketch a vehicle in a side tip-up view, focusing on maintaining proportion and form.

Objective: Introduce rendering techniques for shading and creating depth in side-view sketches.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to basic shading techniques (hatching, smooth gradients, etc.).

• Understanding light source positioning and how it affects vehicle surfaces.

• Rendering wheels, body panels, and glass elements in side-view sketches.

Activity: Render a side-view sketch using basic shading and highlighting techniques.

Homework: Render 2 side-view sketches with a focus on light, shadow, and surface reflections.

Objective: Focus on adding fine details such as windows, mirrors, lights, and door seams.

Topics Covered:

• Importance of detailing in side-view sketches.

• Drawing realistic windows, side mirrors, door handles, and light fixtures.

• Maintaining design consistency and flow while adding details.

Activity: Add detailed elements to 2 side-view sketches, including windows, lights, and mirrors.

Homework: Refine a previously sketched vehicle, adding in all necessary exterior details.

Objective: Develop advanced rendering skills to enhance side-view sketches with textures and reflections.

Topics Covered:

• Rendering advanced surface reflections (glossy, matte finishes, etc.).

• Adding depth through color gradients and reflections on glass and metal.

• Creating convincing materials such as chrome, rubber, and painted surfaces.

Activity: Render a side-view sketch with full shading, focusing on materials and reflections.

Homework: Create a final rendered side-view sketch, emphasizing material rendering and light play.

Objective: Complete a polished side-view design and present it for final critique and feedback.

Topics Covered:

• How to present a professional automotive design sketch.

• Preparing a final portfolio piece: combining sketching, rendering, and design principles.

• Review of key concepts from the course and how to apply them moving forward.

Activity: Present your final side-view sketch for critique and feedback from the instructor and peers.

Homework: Refine your final sketch based on feedback and complete it for inclusion in your portfolio.

Side-View Sketches: A collection of polished side-view vehicle sketches, focusing on proportions, surface flow, and stance.

Rendered Concepts: Completed side-view sketches rendered with shading, reflections, and material details.

Portfolio-Ready Work: A final, fully-rendered side-view concept that showcases the skills learned throughout the course.