lines love curves - BASF Coatings

More documents

Recommendations

Info

George Gallion was a designer at GM in Detroit when he accepted the position at Opel in Rüsselsheim in 1966. He has been retired for 10 years and lives in Germany. He continues to enjoy attending car shows today. For nearly 40 years, automotive designer George Gallion, now 75, was responsible for design at Opel. The legendary Manta was created on his drawing board. The former Opel designer spoke with BASF color designer Mark Gutjahr, 38, about the future of automotive design. The two agree that Germany’s roads will become more colorful again soon. 28 Coatings Partner 2012 Mr. Gallion, you once said, “When designers dream about their work, then they dream about the future of the automobile.” What exactly did you mean by that? Gallion: Being a designer was my dream job. If you want to be a good car designer, you have to love cars. You have to have visions without losing sight of feasibility. And you have to be able to draw. One of my most important tools was my pencil. Back in 1969, you designed the Manta. What was the challenging part of designing this car? Gallion: We wanted to create a product to compete with the Ford Capri that was launched in the late 1960s and we wanted to do this as quickly as possible. We managed to put the Manta on the market at nearly The roads are becoming more colorful Interview with design legend George Gallion and BASF color designer Mark Gutjahr record speed. The fact that it achieved a certain cult status makes me very proud. What were you inspired by in your work? Gallion: For instance, we looked around the world of animals, in fashion, and, of course, at trade shows. And where do you get your ideas for the automotive colors of the future, Mr. Gutjahr? Gutjahr: It’s not much different. We also get ideas at furniture or textile shows, as well as from architecture. In addition, we analyze changes in society and try to develop a sense of the zeitgeist. So how does a color trend become a trend color? Gutjahr: It’s the car manufacturers who pick up the colors from our trend forecasts and, in most cases, work with us to refine
the colors. This means that we also work very closely with and for the carmakers’ designers. What significance did color have for you as a car designer? Gallion: It was highly significant. A car is like a sculpture. It lives from color. The finish lends the car its character and you can work with gloss and effects superbly. Gutjahr: That’s fantastic! I agree. Color also provides the aesthetic appeal of a car. Colors give vehicles their individual touch. And new technical possibilities give us new options. Such as? Gutjahr: Our XFine ® basecoat. It stands for powerful metallic effects that bring about an elegant silver. Very fine aluminum particles are arranged parallel to each other and thus Mark Gutjahr has a degree in design. In 2005, he started working as a freelance designer for BASF Coatings. In 2011, he became the head of Design Europe at BASF Coatings. produce a kind of mirror effect on the body. Gallion: We didn’t have possibilities like these back then. But it was more colorful. I miss the colorfulness of the 1970s and 1980s. I really wish there was more color on the roads, like a bold orange, or why not lime green? How does your trend forecast look in this respect, Mr. Gutjahr? Gutjahr: We actually do see a trend toward more colorfulness. Brown has soared to a share of around 7% in a very short time. More color – from beige to green – is becoming more important. It will definitely become more colorful on the roads of Germany. The Opel CD concept car also radiates a brand new gloss in “Candy apple red.” it is considered to be the most be autiful Opel of all times and in 1969, ClASSiC CAr Opel Manta InTerVIeW Global When the action comedy “Manta, Manta” with Til Schweiger came to the movie theaters in 1991, the Opel Manta had already achieved cult status in Germany. Opel Adam AG launched the five-seater passenger car as the Manta A in September 1970. The Manta A is the coupé version of the Opel Ascona A sedan launched two months later and is otherwise technically identical. In August 1988, the last Manta B left the assembly line. A total of 1,056,436 Manta A and B models were built. was the star of the iAA in Frankfurt. Using special classic car paints from BASF’s Glasurit brand, it was restored ... Gallion: … and is dazzling in its former gloss. The car is currently on display at BASF’s Münster site. When I see it here, I am filled with pride and nostalgia. Whether classic cars or new cars, will color continue to regain its importance? Gallion: I think it will. For instance, look at the Opel Corsa Color Line. It’s the brilliant colors that make many customers buy this model. Gutjahr: Absolutely. Color conveys the first impression of the car. In addition to the make and the engine power, color is becoming increasingly important for car owners. It provides an identity, and depending on the color, it also lends individuality and, as a result, character. Coatings Partner 2012 29
Page 1 and 2: Coatings Partner www.coatingspartne
Page 3 and 4: Dear readers, Markus Kamieth, Presi
Page 5 and 6: Cooperative 26 Color experts: They
Page 7 and 8: automotive industry in Mexico. The
Page 9 and 10: 20 years of Glasurit 90 Line Global
Page 11 and 12: tective and decorative properties,
Page 13 and 14: Strong growth and momentum BASF is
Page 15 and 16: In the center of lyon, France, at t
Page 17 and 18: eflecting steel façades: Façade p
Page 19 and 20: Convincing: the spraybooth is large
Page 21 and 22: one e-coat tank per month is curren
Page 23 and 24: and greater durability. The new car
Page 25 and 26: fect materials allow BASF to fulfil
Page 27: the global design team. Mark Gutjah
Page 31 and 32: 600,000 colors Glossy polish: Anoth
Page 33 and 34: Everything you like the most turns
Page 35 and 36: PrIntIng detaIls PuBlIsher: BASF Co

lines love curves - BASF Coatings

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?