SPOTLIGHT
WELCOME TO THE SPOTLIGHT PAGE
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The Spotlight page is essentially a blog. As designers we tend to personalize and customize things a little. I thought to name it Spotlight would be pretty cool, putting a particular project on centerstage. Taking a closer look and share a few details regarding the reason behind it and a bit of info on the design and/or illustration process of how it came about...
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Gallery of Design Process | From Sketches to 3D Modeling
Ball Point Pen Sketch
Apple Pencil iPad Sketch
PROJECT: "STEP-SIDE PICKUP CONCEPT"
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“It’s so shiny!”…started with quick random old school inspired pickup sketches and reimagined with a modern interpretation of a classic in 3D!
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Fun ground up CAD 3D model build with elements from my previous Hot Rod Concept parts bin hehe, created this cool pickup concept. Design wise tried to keep the classic proportions but with a fresh take on the body surfacing and design details such as the bold machined front end angled forward like classic BMW’s. Includes the Diggs wheel design and as always a low stance with a slight rake. I put a 1.5 degree rake (lower in the front) to give it some attitude but yet smooth and chill as a boulevard cruiser. Other fun details include removable Smokey and the Bandit T-Top roof panels, old school M3 style dual prong side mirrors, crosshair LED lighting details, in-grill graphic equalizer inspired DRL’s and turn signals, center exhaust and hood lines inspired by my Crossfire, crown molding inspired bed sides, and a traditional wooden bed floor but with a basketball court graphic for fun. Lol.
Really like how this project turned out and how the process of designing and seeing it through always has that magical moment where it all just comes together somehow. That’s what I love about being a designer… Imagination comes standard.
Gallery of Design Process | From Sketches to 3D Modeling
Ball Point Pen Sketch
Apple Pencil iPad Sketch
PROJECT: "HOT ROD COUPE INSPIRED"
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This project entitled "HOT ROD COUPE INSPIRED" is a project in which I worked on for fun. Started drawing some random hot rod and it came out like this. Mostly American hot rod influences with the flamed graphic and white wall tires. Subtle flavors from European cars with more machined details and Japanese tuner styling influences with roof and deck spoilers hehe. A mash up of different thoughts it is always good to be able to visualize in design. Just having fun sketching, rendering, and 3D modeling.
This personal project was to challenge myself in creating a ground up CAD 3D model of one of my previous design sketches. Trying to develop and build each part of the car in 3D from the car body, lighting, part details, down to the tire and wheel designs of the funky concept Hot Rod. Hoping it will all come together in the end was fun and learned a lot! From the early pen sketch, iPad color sketch, Photoshop rendering, and now 3D. It’s cool to see how the design evolves with each step. Starting with loose 2D sketches of a random hot rod design then switching up and trying to recreate it technically in CAD 3D was definitely challenging hehe…But very rewarding to complete and so much fun to keep creating, learning, improving, expanding, and now sharing.
Ball Point Pen Sketch
Apple Pencil iPad Sketch
PROJECT: "1989 MERCEDES BENZ SEL (W126) INSPIRED"
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This project entitled "1989 MERCEDES BENZ SEL (W126) INSPIRED" is a project of my dad's 1989 Mercedes SEL which he still has at his house, doesn't run anymore but still keeps it for sentimental value hehe. At least in a drawing, we can bring it back to its glory days. Lowering it a little and adding some old school MAE Crown Jewel inspired wheels. Just having fun sketching and rendering.
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It started as a ball point pen and paper sketch then turned into a colored loose sketch using the Apple Pencil and Autodesk Sketchbook for iPad. Finally, went ahead and created a Photoshop refined sketch/rendering shown in the larger image. The style used in Photoshop is the poIygon lasso and airbrush technique creating more of an indication style of illustration rather than photorealism. I wanted to share this project to showcase the different stages a sketch can take and how it evolves.
Ball Point Pen Sketch
Apple Pencil iPad Sketch
PROJECT: "1968 MERCURY COUGAR INSPIRED"
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This project entitled "1968 MERCURY COUGAR INSPIRED" is a project in which I worked on for my aunt and uncle. They had a blue Cougar back in the day that they wanted me to sketch for them. Here it is with a hot rod stance and polished magnum style wheels with body colored centers with some slight modifications but yet staying true to the classic design. Just having fun sketching and rendering.
It started as a ball point pen and paper sketch then turned into a colored loose sketch using the Apple Pencil and Autodesk Sketchbook for iPad. Finally, went ahead and created a Photoshop refined sketch/rendering shown in the larger image. The style used in Photoshop is the poIygon lasso and airbrush technique creating more of an indication style of illustration rather than photorealism. I wanted to share this project to showcase the different stages a sketch can take and how it evolves.
Digital Pencil sketch
Color Blocking and Layout
PROJECT: "WING DRAG 14"
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This project entitled "WING DRAG 14" is a special project in which I worked on for myself to remember a close friend and brother to me Arnell David, who left us in the summer of August 2013 due to cancer. Arnell was a phenomenal artist and toy designer. I can only come to the surface of his deep artistic abilities and creativity. He was a big influence in my pursuance of a career in the creative field. He was also an avid fan of motorcycles and motorcycle racing. So I figured what better way to reflect and honor him than to do an illustration of Arnell doing what he loves and render it in a form in which he would appreciate as an artist.
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The illustration shows him in his racing lean, what riders call "knee dragging". I embellished the drawing and added wings symbolizing even in heaven he is (RIP) Riding In Paradise, but this time wing dragging in his number 14 motorcycle. Hence the name Wing Drag 14.
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The method I wanted to try in this piece is do it in the style of a loose painterly rendition. A style in which Arnell flourished in. Since, recently investing in an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, I figured what better way to start utilizing it then to try it on this particular subject. First, I sketched out the image using Photoshop with the Apple Pencil, then doing simple color blocking and background layout. Finally, using them to create the illustration. It was a fun project trying new mediums in design at the same time remember a good friend and brother...
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