Jaguar’s recent branding fiasco prompted me to reflect on my four years as leading designer at Jaguar Design (2012–2016). Officially part of the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team, my role stretched far beyond: from early conceptual work with the so called “Advanced Design” department to mainstream production cars and limited-run SVO projects. I’m proud to have contributed to vehicles you now see on roads worldwide – though, as every car designer knows, most proposals never escape the studio…
This retrospective shares both the visible results and forgotten experiments from those formative years. However to make up for it I am presenting you with several slides showcasing a few highlights from my work at Jaguar cars. Enjoy
P.S. Stay tuned for a more detailed dive into Jaguar’s controversial branding disaster – a topic I’ll explore separately.”
The Bentley EXP 100 GT concept car debuted in 2019 as part of Bentley’s centenary celebrations—but few know about the unseen design proposal I contributed during its early stages. As designers and fans of Bentley’s heritage, we’re conditioned to envision such halo cars as coupes; the Brooklands’ imposing proportions or the Continental GT’s iconic silhouette practically demand it. Yet during my final weeks at Bentley – coinciding with the EXP 100 GT’s initial creative phase – I deliberately broke convention and proposed a cabriolet variant. This became the studio’s only open-top proposal for the project. Even for me, it was a provocative idea: reimagining Bentley’s future not just through grandeur, but through the visceral thrill of open-air driving.
Picture of the finished concept car below. Image credits: Bentley Cars UK.
Today the automotive world lost one of its greatests (if not the greatest) legends in car design – Signor Marcello Gandini. Know affectionately as the “Maestro”, his career and achievements aren’t defined by corporate titles, but by the remarkable legacy he leaves behind. Generations have been inspired by his work and will continue to be for many years to come. His extensive portfolio of iconic cars is the stuff every designer dreams of, yet very would ever achieve in a lifetime…
It is merely impossible, nor practical to showcase all of his incredible work in a single post. It will take a lot of writing and images to upload. Therfore, please excuse me, if I haven’t included all of his creations in this single post. However, I am going to do another post looking at his amazing book Marcello Gandini: Maestro of Car Design by Gautan Sen.
Thank you for being such an inspiration. Rest in peace, Maestro!
In the month of October 2023 myself and my dear friend Deyan Denkov had the pleasure to offer one week workshop for the master students in the Bulgarian Academy of Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria.
New Land Rover Defender – sketch examples from the one week workshop for the Master Design Students at the Bulgarian National Academy, Sofia. October 2023
The workshop lasted one week and was organised with the help of, Rangel Chivep, an industrial design professor at the Bulgarian Academy of Arts and open everyone – subject to application. Its primary objective was to enhance the skills of master students through hands-on guidance in car sketching techniques. We delved into fundamental principles such as the essence of volumes and proportions that constitute a compelling car design sketch, emphasizing the significance of developing a strong design theme in order to with a project within the design studio. Students were challenged to propose designs as if they were tasked with reimagining a renowned British icon for Jaguar Land Rover.
Furthermore, we shared invaluable insights gained from our long experience within the Automotive Design industry, shedding light on the operational dynamics of design studios. Through discussions, we shared anecdotes from various projects, elucidating the challenges encountered by designers in the course of a typical day in a Car Design Studio.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students who joined the workshop class and especially Rangel Chipev without who this won’t be possible.
From the archives – Jaguar F-Type GT3 proposal. Back when I was part of Jaguar’s Design Team (SVO to be more precise), I worked on everything from mainstream production cars and facelifts to limited-run series (most of which never saw the light of day) – and even wilder projects, like proposing a WEC contender based on the F-Type. Namely the Jaguar F-Type GT3. While not every car designer is a petrolhead, for those of us that are, it was a chance, and an opportunity to help reignite Jaguar’s fading sports car legacy. Especially with the upcoming top of the range F-Type SVR.
These renderings are from a quick 3D model my colleague and I created and visualized in Alias Showcase (for those ones old enough to remember). To pay homage to Jaguar Racing’s last great success, we wrapped the proposal in a Castrol livery inspired by the iconic Jaguar XJR-9. The livery was tricky – it had to be projected as curves on the surface in Alias, since UV texturing in the visualization software was, well… beyond my patience at the time.
Design departments are usually the creative driving force in any automotive company and projects often get blocked or cancelled in boardrooms or at the highest levels. This time, though, internal politics within the design studio kept the idea from gaining traction. It never got the support needed to advance further from the design studio – not even as a concept, let alone a full racing program.
Following up my previous post about the Porsche 911 (964) restomod sketches and ideas and still in the mood of celebrating Porsche’s 75th anniversary, here is another shot but this time it’s the legendary and unbeatable Porsche 917K. It would be interesting to see what a street-legal 917K (if such a thing can even be considered in one’s wildest dreams) would look like. Perhaps that’s an idea to go back to? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the Porsche 917K sketches below 🙂
Porsche Restomod Sketches – With the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed approaching and Porsche celebrating their 75th anniversary, the ‘Porsche’ mood was kind of contagious. I couldn’t help it, nor resist the temptation to drift into sketching some 964 based themes with a bit of RSR/Turbo spice in the mix…
Charge Cars reimagined the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback into a modern luxury EV, blending vintage allure with cutting-edge technology.
Let’s talk about the exterior design of the Charge Cars EV. n 2019, I was brought in to provide design services to the London based start-up company for their ambitious EV project: the 1967 Fastback Mustang, or also know as the ’67. Collaborating closely with the Design Director, I assumed a pivotal role in managing various aspects of the design development process. Utilizing my considerable expertise, I played a key part in shaping the direction of Charge Cars’ design studio, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives and the company’s overarching vision.
Charge Cars ’67 EV, Image Credits: Charge Cars
At the heart of the project was the company owner Denis Sverdlov’s ultimate vision: to modernize the iconic muscle car while preserving its authentic charm eternally. This required a delicate balance between innovation and tradition, with a focus on minimal exterior changes. During the initial sketch phase the Charge Cars EV, we proposed various changes to the car’s exterior, but Mr. Sverdlov’s brief was clear: create a modern interpretation of the iconic muscle car while preserving its original essence. This meant minimal exterior alterations, prioritizing execution and attention to detail. It wasn’t an easy task believe me!
During the process several bodies of the donor car were scanned and utilized partial reverse engineering techniques to optimize the vehicle’s exterior. Carbon fiber panels were strategically incorporated to enhance both aesthetics and performance, while modern features such as flush door handles and bespoke LED lights added a touch of contemporary flair. Notably, the innovative integration of the charging port into the side intake showcased our commitment to seamless design integration. The introduction of a new front grille proudly displaying the Charge logo further emphasized the brand’s identity, while modern wheels and wide tires underscored the vehicle’s formidable presence on the road.
More information about the Charge Cars EV and my involvement in the project you find on my website.
Charge Cars ’67 EV rear end, Image Credits: Charge Cars
