Design is a solution, says Anthony Sims!

Anthony Sims began to plant his feet in the design world as soon as he stepped out of high school. He made his way to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California after developing many skills and wining numerous accolades in the same field. Jump down to know more from the upcoming designer himself.

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1. Anthony, can you please give our readers a brief biographical sketch about yourself?

Anthony: I am now a 22 year old design student at Art Center College of Design. I was born in Colorado, and then spent my childhood living in various cities on the west coast of America, including Las Vegas, Seattle, and San Diego. I believe I was 15 the 1st time I discovered I could draw cars for a living. I loved to draw and was beginning to have a deep interest in mechanics so this seemed like a fitting path. While preparing in high school, I enrolled in engineering and art classes, volunteered my artwork to the high school and local companies, and entered a few design contests. Since Art Center I was displayed a second time at the North American International Auto show in Detroit through the Michelin Challenge and have just completed my first internship at Fisker Automotive.

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2. Your automobile sketches are amazing, Anthony can you walk us through the general steps you take when you're designing a concept/project car?

Anthony: The design process is pretty traditional. The 1st and the most important step is ideation. This is where you begin to define everything about the automobile; brand identity, proportions, design theme, product purpose, even buyer. After that sketches are refined to one final design and brought into something more solid and usable to make a model. This includes tape drawings and orthographic drawings of the vehicle. Then you move onto either a clay model, digital model, or both. At this stage there’s very little refinement of the overall design, but it is a good time to play with the small details. Then there is finalization of the model; painting a clay model of digital rendering.

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3. In order to plant your feet into the world of design, you developed many skills and won numerous accolades in the same field, so I want to ask, how did you take the initial recognition?

Anthony: Most with ambition. I always wanted more and knew I could get there. Being an artist/designer you always have to be critical of your work and push for more.

4. Though your experience is limited to mostly local Washington state companies and organizations, how have you planned to grab the next venture?

Anthony: Art Center was the answer to that. So many of the biggest names in design have come out of my school and I hope to be among them. During my time here I have had the pleasure to meet and listen to many of the designers I looked up to. The opportunities I’ve been given here are priceless.

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5. You have done tremendous amount of work within short span of time, although, you have to cover lots more but is there any work till date, which you think has come out really well?

Anthony: Right now there isn't anything that really stands out to me. Being at Art Center I have learned so much at a quick pace that often I want to go back and fix my past project. I guess one that sort of stands out was the Audi wheel I designed for the 2005 Michelin Design Challenge. It was a fun project and still has a place in my portfolio.

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6. Concepts of auto designers are ahead of its time, in the sense that the designs have futuristic undertone, what do you have to say in this regard?

Anthony: They do and they must. The public always wants something new. I’ve always believed design could be pushed a lot further in production, but understand the limitations when designs get to production. It’s a fine line in the auto industry for what can be made and still be profitable, and it is truly constraining when compared to the entertainment industry where sometimes anything goes. Personally I like to see things work and enjoy working with engineers, so I've stayed with transportation design.

7. Do you have a signature style? If yes, what are the hallmarks of the style?

Anthony: I've been told my style of drawing is illustrative and my designs have good graphic sense. Currently for me design is a solution. At the end of the day your design has to be understood by others. Fancy backgrounds are good for attention but what is really important is the design itself.

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8. Could you describe the projects on which you are working at present?

Anthony: I am currently between projects. Recently I finished my 1st internship at Fisker automotive working on development of the interior of the show car set for release at the NAIAS in Detroit.

9. Where do you find yourself in array of the upcoming designers? What do you think, future holds for you?

Anthony: It’s hard to say. There is so much talent out there and being at Art Center really makes you feel like a small fish in a big ocean of talent, which makes me average. I'm still pushing for more; defining style is a huge part of that.

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10. Finally, we'd like to have your views on Auto Motto?

Anthony: My opinion is that Auto Motto is still in its development phase. There are so many design/ auto sites out there it’s hard to make an impact. Just like a car design, websites all need something to set themselves apart if it’s going to become successful. Cardesignnews.com has become a great resource for student designers while also having 1st movers advantage. There’s also the entire yahoo motors, msn etc that give all your basic auto news. Speedanddesign.net has been known to be a great help for young people wanting to pursue a design career. There are countless other sites. So in my opinion Auto Motto is in that phase where it needs to find itself to be successful in the future. It needs something that no one else has.

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Thank you Anthony for this wonderful interview, and of course for your suggestion towards the making of Auto Motto, it is greatly appreciated; also I’d like to wish you success for all your future endeavors.