Showing posts with label Gebre Mesquitta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gebre Mesquitta. Show all posts

Friday, August 24, 2012

From the Cartape Volumes: Untitled Concept (Part 1)

   
       While I was on Facebook yesterday morning, I saw a nice SUV concept from a designer and became inspired right on the spot. I grabbed a pen immediately, and began to dash out a quick sketch - I couldn't afford to lose the idea that was going through my mind. I rapidly began receiving visions of horizontal lightning, like leaping, bounding, horizontal lightning - dashing zig-zag-edly across a purplish blue night sky..I couldn't come up with a quick enough idea for the rear taillights though, as I had to get back to loads of work. But stay tuned to the Cartape Volumes for more blogs of more updates of this SUV concept! Leave a comment!

- Gebre Mesquitta

Monday, August 20, 2012

From the Cartape Volumes: Untitled Concept


       Recently, I had the chance to meet Spencer Nugent, the man I dub "the sketch king" and who is the co-founder of www.idsketching.com and www.sketch-a-day.com. I couldn't miss that opportunity, I had to be there by any means necessary! So it was a nice Saturday afternoon, when I took myself down there and watched him do his magic at a sketch presentation at Columbia College. I was crazy impressed, especially with the way he applied photoshop work to the sketches. I was simply blown away. I call it the art of drawing with light, because in a deeper sense that is what rendering is. It's all about playing with light and darkness!
       Now, I was so into the magical vibes of the sketching that was going on that I ended up being induced into sketching this hot car. It came out better than I though it would, in light of  the quickly rushed moments that I threw together to bang it out, while at the same time trying to not miss a beat of the sketch magic that Spencer Nugent was performing for the gathering of industrial design students and professional industrial designers. In regards to the automotive sketch, I think I was inspired by Bentley and Jaguar. Sometimes, inspiration comes to me along the way or after the fact (lol). I was quite happy with the finished product though, folks were peeping over my shoulder commenting on how hot my sketch was, which was a nice boost to my car sketching ego. I pretty much drew it just to impress those around me anyway (hahaha). I'm just an utter car enthusiast who loves cars to death, and nothing feels better than sketching cars to accolades (hahaha). However, I'm just really getting into the "game" though. I've been a baby here for a while, if you dig what I mean.

- Gebre Mesquitta

Saturday, August 18, 2012

From the Cartape Volumes: the AFHL Concept (Part 1)

A rendered version of this concept will be coming next, in addition to more views! So stay tuned! These are the cartape volumes! The beginnings of a lengendary series of automotive sketches!

-Gebre Mesquitta

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

"Move!....Get Out the Way!" EXTRA! EXTRA Wide Ford Superduty!!


I was browsing pictures of cars on Facebook - I spend hours and hours and hours of my spare time doing this, and that's still never enough - when I came across some pictures of a customized Ford Super Duty that was "lowered". I was like, "You know what, let me do something out of the box! Why not customize this! Why not make this truck "extra" wide! You know, like take it to the next level! So I just dropped everything that I had on my mind, and was doing - I was modeling a mansion in Rhino 3D - and put a couple hours of photoshop work in. And I decided to just give it my all, and make it look as real as possible, instead of doing a rushed slap-dash photohop job. In addition, I also did this extra wide customization, because it will be great for a set of deep dish wheels that I have designed, as well as another potentially wide wheel - under confidential development. Go to www.facebook.com/tafaridesign to follow the progress of this unique customization and become a fan! Thanks! 
- Gebre Mesquitta

Friday, February 24, 2012

2012 Dodge Charger (Riding Shotgun)


Well just as I reported in my previous blog about never having been in the Dodge Challenger, well neither have I ever been in a Dodge Charger, my absolute favorite American car! I was so thrilled when I got to test-ride in one for media day at the 2012 Chicago International Autoshow!

 

       Now "lean back" for a lil bit of off-topic entertainment. As the helper opened the door to the car, I saw it was a female driver again (I rode with one previously for the Dodge Challenger); she was like OMG-sexy! As I got into the car her lips looked straight at me, and then they moved to a smile, and then that transpired to a voice that was hmmm...very breathy, fun, date-night-ish, bedroom-like, tantalizing. I'm always attracted to females with a sexy voice, always! Well let me just say this....I kinda wanted to just stay in that car,(hahaha) and I would love to have slipped her my number too. 
       Ok, now attention folks! Sit straight up (lol). The interior of this Dodge Charger says "recognize me, it looks amazing. I believe that Dodge seems to know or has figured out exactly what their interior design problem is and is working hard on it, or has finally fixed it! The first thing that I like about the Charger's interior is the center console. I absolutely love the large screen display, and the surrounding air vents. It's so beautifully laid out. I enjoy the bountiful left-to-right hand movement that it affords the driver. In addition, the large screen also provides 0-60 mph time and qurter mile readouts - racing inspiration that is truly loveable - though I wonder how many drivers will be abusing this by topping the speed limit just to see the readouts!
       This particular Dodge Charger was of the RT variety and held a propulsion system that inhales  5.7 liters of air, and puts out 370 hp! With this version, there is also a take from the world of Formula 1 racing - slap-shift gear changing. In addition, there is also a moon roof  to enjoy that nice breeze as you enjoy the your fabulous Dodge Charger on the road. The cabin of the car is also highly soundproof insulated. When the windows are up, you can hardly hear what's going on in the outside world. The only world you would be engaged in is that of the Dodge Charger. To include the ride, the beautiful driver girl did a performance ride, lining up the car with a target ahead, and then floooring the gas pedal! It was a little slice of heaven as I got sucked into my seat and this girl went for a high-speed ride ;)





br />



We aren't going to get into a critique of the Dodge Charger styling here, because we have done so previously. So you can check out our previous critique of the Dodge Charger at the following link: http://seranitafaristreetteam.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-dodge-charger-vs-previous-dodge.html

- Gebre Mesquitta

Sunday, February 12, 2012

2012 Dodge Challenger (Riding Shotgun)!

My love for the Dodge Challenger began in the month of September 2005. I came upon the picture of this car while I was at work interning for a financial/publication company back in my community college days in Connecticut. At work, when there was a lull in tasks to do, or when I would take a break from my work, or moreso, when my supervisor wasn't in her office (big smile on my face), I would roam the internet visiting all types of automoile-related websites, saving numerous pictures of the sexiest concept cars, and saving them on CDs (there weren't any flashdrives in those days LOL). I would then happily take advantage of the awesome office printers as well as the myraid of paper qualities available (hahaha) to print them out. I think one of my co-workers kind of almost caught me once and snitched it to my boss, and I was warned about it. My boss was a sweetiepie, though, I loved her, and I still love her -  tall, slim, pretty, cute (lol). Ok let me stop! (LOL). But she was the coolest boss you could ever have! Now, anyway, I printed out numerous images of a bright orange Dodge Challenger on "criss-criss" company paper. For me the printouts were so precious, I held the fresh copies like an egg, and put them away in a folder sandwhiched between blank sheets of paper to preserve its frehsness. I slipped them into my bookbag, and at the end of work, I To this day I still have them, and they're as fresh as the day I printed them out. Now I always remember the website from which I got the car from, as saying the "Dodge Challenger would begin production in 2006". That's all I had to go by until I would see it on the street. And when I did see it on the street, all I could do was pass it on the street. But thanks to Chrysler and the folks at Out Cold Marketing, I finally got to ride in one!


- Gebre Mesquitta

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Riding Shotgun! (Part 1)


The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the bomb! It truly is! I had a test-drive in it last year during Media Day at the 2011 Chicago International Autoshow, and I had a test drive in it again for Media Day at the 2012 Chicago International Autoshow. Both times the ride was amazing. The first thing that I noticed upon entering into the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a luscious and luxuriously appointed interior. It resembled the hand-crafted work usually seen in exotic luxury cars - something british, something Italian. The first name that came to my mind was Bentley - which was induced by the somewhat tan leather that I've previously observed in Bentley automobiles. Infact, the leather is not exactly tan, but is almost like a hybrid between tan and chocolate. It is visually sensuous and exuded high quality and ultra fine handcraftsmanship. I was simply amazed - I'm sitting there thinking like, "All this in a Jeep? Wow! Jeep is taking it to a whole 'nother level with this interior design."As I looked further, more closely examining my interior surroundings, and on an alert from the driver, I realized that even the dashboard was wrapped in leather. Maybe I've been living under a rock or haven't been in an ultra high end luxury vehicle before, but I had never before heard of or seen a dashboard wrapped in leather (lol)! Now even more unique about the interior of this Jeep  Grand Cherokee is the color scheme....the sensous brown-ish tones of leather,mixed with real wood doing a nice jazz dance with black leather and chrome accents. Pure gorgeousness! It's a "music" of love! The interior designers really have a knack for an intelligent appropriation of color tones. They got this girl looking really nice! Kisses! (lol)





Now, I did aforemention that I have taken test rides in the Jeep Grand Cherokee twice. Well let me tell you folks, this truck has fantastic ride handling. It is superb and squeaky clean! As the driver put the vehicle through a tortuous and rigorous test on the indoor offroad trail, containing almost every off-road obstacle imaginable, I could hear narry a squeak in any part of the suspension. The Jeep's independent suspension is tremendously adaptive and it felt like a conqueror and handled like a champion.

In addition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has an adjustable ride height feature, one for park (getting in and out), another for normal driving, and another for offroad driving. When in park mode, the height is automatically adjusted to 6.2 inches, in normal driving mode, the ground clearance is 8.1 inches, and for offroad driving, the suspension can be raised to 10.7 inches. This is all due to a new state-of-the-art Quadra-Lift air suspension system. Furthermore, the bottom of the vehicle is fitted with steel skid plates to protect the undercarriage from being damaged by debri when offroading. Adding to the wonderful offroading experience of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, is the fact that when Jeep did the redesign in 2011, its engineers added a whooping 5400 new welds! This increased body rigidity during offroading by 147%. Toping all this off is a standard 3.6 liter V6 engine that puts out 290 horsepower and 263 pounds of torque. You can also choose to have a 5.78 liter V8 that puts out 350 horsepower and creates 293 pounds of torque.

Now folks, what more could you ask for? Like really?! Do you think there is anything more that you could ask for? The only thing that you could do is go to your nearest Jeep dealer and ask for yours today!

Below is the video of my test ride in the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.


As you can see in the article title, we have in parentheses, the words "Part 1". In Part 2, we will describe in detail, the exterior design of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. There is something that makes its design so cute, but macho, and loveable! We want you to know what that is!

- Gebre Mesquitta

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Chrysler 300C at the 2012 Chicago International Autoshow

Well, I finally witnessed the new 2012 Chrylser 300C in person. My verdict is this: it is an okay car. It is not better than the previous Chrysler 300C though. And that fact just dissapoints the living hell out of me! I can't, for the life of me, understand why they down-graded the ferocious design of the previous 300. I mean, do you remember those bulldog headlamps (with the nearly concentric circular design), that "lil" Bently allure, that bold this-is-Chrysler-and-look-what-we-can-do design, that design of attitude - right up in your face! That's gone.







Refer to http://seranitafaristreetteam.blogspot.com/2010/10/chrysler-300c-celebrity-car.html for our blog on the original Chrysler 300C, and then refer to our other blog at http://seranitafaristreetteam.blogspot.com/2010/11/2011-chrysler-300c_22.html where we compare both the previous model 300C and the new model 300C. You will realize - if you don't already - what we're talking about.

- Gebre Mesquitta

Live at the Chicago International Autoshow (The 2012 Dodge Dart)








We will be doing a follow-up blog critiquing the all new Dodge Dart. So look out for it. The Dodge Charger is soo perfect that I found two flaws! (hahaha)
 - Gebre Mesquitta

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

SRT Viper...The Breakdown! Feminine ID (Industrial Design)

"Feminine ID"! It was first coined here, on the SeraniTafari Street Team blog! Well, I had already come up with the term before, but it was only relegaded to scribbled notes on my drawings. But feminine ID, I will here define, is my terminology for the inclusion of female design (feminine shapes or forms) into the realm of industrial design, it's subsidiary in this case being car design.

See below as I illustrate my observations of the "naked lady on the beach". It is hidden in plain sight! Well we guys probably find that out first :).


Okay looking at the picture above, can you picture "the naked woman on the beach"? She could either be standing, sitting, or lying down. And as for laying down, she could either be lying on her back or lying on her stomach. The profile that would fit this automobile silhoutte to a T would be the naked woman lying on her back! If you carefully notice the contours of the car, you will see that the roof has a topography that matches the female bust profile! It fits neatly into the contour of the roof. Someone hit that button! "That was easy! That was very clever of the designers. This type of organic female form integration into the car body is super hot! It's subtle, and nearly secret, with a little bit of a wow factor. Great job Ralph Giles!

Now observe the sequential analysis below, picture by picture. Enjoy :)



The SRT Viper's ingenious inclusion of feminine design into its car body design has now further inspired me as a "student" of car design. I'm definitely going to look back at some of my car sketches to see how I can innovate futher carbody designs using feminine forms. All it takes is different brushes, different strokes, and keeping it interestingly imaginative with appropriate measure.

- Gebre Mesquitta

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Viper Teaser is on Facebook!


Well the SRT division of Dodge has released a Viper teaser on Facebook! Can you see the "naked woman on a beach here"? Due to my previous life drawing courses for my industrial design major (specializing in transportation design) and ofcourse, because of my great appreciation for female design and it's numerous occasions of inclusion in my own designs, I think I see it! In the next follow up blog, I'll show you how I see it :).

- Gebre Mesquitta

Sunday, January 29, 2012

To be Teased on Facebook! "Like a Naked Woman on a Beach", Says the Designer!

Well I did have high expectations for the new Dodge Viper, especially after Ralph Giles announced it's new design was inspired by a naked woman on a beach. I'm still holding out on this design ingenuity, as I have only seen spyshots of the car - although most of the car is visible except for the front.

Now, I swear if I was designing a car inspired by a naked woman on a beach, I'd start with the rear first and foremost! Additionally, there would be alot more feminine design integrated into the side panels. Hopefully, though, there will be something awesome at the front once that brassiere comes off. And if that won't be enough, maybe Dodge will have some delicious interior design inside the Viper - something sensual and very companionable for a male driver :). Until then we can only speculate. I must admit though, that I'm only a twenty-five percent interested in the big reveal - I'm just saying (lol).





I like the look of the wheels, they seem to be a one-piece machined item. The design of the spokes is somehow very picturesque of the machining action that was done to cut out those shapes. Furthermore, the headlamps at the front look identical to those of  the Chevrolet Corvette, and the grille, from what I can seem to resembles the new Dodge SRT design. 

I like the hints given on the top of the hood. Hopefully it will be something very sexy - once the bra comes off!

Nothing new in the rear.."same-o same-o"
 
- Gebre Mesquitta

Thursday, January 26, 2012

New Hyundai Santa Fe!


The first thing that I recognized when I saw this spied image of the new Hyundai Santa Fe, was that the grillle with the fat chrome slats, boldly resembles the grille,of the previous Ford Fusion! Though I always thought that that particular grille design on the Ford Fusion contained too much chrome, (more chrome than good design lol) I knew it could do well somewhere else - preferably on an SUV (because Ijust love SUVS).

Well it looks like designers at Hyundai studios loved the look too and decided to incorporate it into their Hyundai Santa Fe design. Now here is what I think I did, infact, here is how I think they did it. I believe they decided to use the grille idea, but to also change it up a little by reshaping it. If you look at the current shape, it resembles the grille shape of the new Ford fusion, but upside down and taller. In essesnce, they flipped the shape.

Furthermore, notice how the headlamps do not stop at the "end" of the front view, but continues onto the side of the vehicle. This leaves a "gap" between the end of the hood and the beginning of the front bumper.
Look at the images below, and then look at the image below them to observe the design analysis. Only at SeraniTafari do we go in on car designs like this!





- Gebre Mesquitta

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Chrysler 200 Super S


I think Chrysler needs to stop being so lackadaisical with their designs. They shouldn’t want to have to have aftermarket customizations to make their vehicles design look better. Rather it should be the other way around! The original or stock vehicle should be as as hot as an aftermarket customization, and then it should look ten times better with aftermarket customization. Now don’t get me wrong, this Chrysler 200 Super S does kind of look really nice at least at the front and somewhat at the sides. The headlamps, though, its design, its shape just plucks my nerves. The form is so lethargic, there’s no “speed”. It looks like the designer just really and slowly drew that headlamp shape. It should be sharper, edgier, more dashing, more sexy. It needs to scream! Below I expressed myself on this issue, with a few sketches.


- Gebre Mesquitta

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

AdSpotting: Jennifer Lopez and Fiat "Back To The Bronx"

So! Fiat is back in the United States. The video below featuring Jennifer Lopez, one of the hottest, music, film, and TV pop stars, looks like its big advertisement debut to get the ball really rolling over here. I’ve been watching this little car for a while – from since it first debuted in the media. There’s something about it! That Fiat 500, it’s a sexy little mini Italian car!
I think the goal behind the Fiat/Jennifer Lopez video is similar to the one behind the “Imported From Detroit” ads that Chrysler is currently running with the gritty looking scenes of Detroit.
Here’s what I like about this video:
  1. The intro soundtrack and the slow seep-in of J.Lo’s voice, “Here, this is my world.”
  2. The guy that begins drumming at 0:15 seconds
  3. The jovial, dancing, ipod-type girls at 0:19 seconds as J.Lo says,“To think faster”, and shifts the  gear stick, and the guys excitedly fist-bumping
  4. At 0:35 seconds the flirty long-hair shake! Yes!! (LOL)
  5. When J.Lo sings “And never stop loving you”, and then the kids chasing the car…which then comes to a stop and  J.Lo departs the car, moving right into a model pose!
     
Here’s what I don’t like about the video:

  1. As the camera moves off the guy drumming, J.Lo's expression is too stoic...there needs to be  an "Oh yea!" type of smile/expression on her face here
  2. After the camera leaves the kids break dancing and focuses on J.Lo’s face...again her expression is  too stiff!
I recently had my first live sighting of the Fiat 500c while walking home from a new stush restaurant a couple blocks from my home. I was like, "Oh, that's you, the Fiat 500c! You're soo cute! I'd love to just kiss that car... like for real though! Hahahaha.
- Gebre Mesquitta

Monday, October 10, 2011

OMG! The Cadillac Ciel!

Someone please call 911! There is a car on fire! (Fire truck arrives). “WTF! Where’s the fire?” (car enthusiast) “Oh we were talking about this car, this Cadillac Ciel! (Smiles sheepishly) It is a blazing automotive beauty! Don’t you agree?” (Police officer) "Sir, you are the fuck under arrest for reporting a false emergency!"

You know what, I'll just give you a citation, (looks at car).."well damn, there kinda was a fire here." (Firemen) I know right!"

Yes, indeed, the Cadillac Ciel is like a blaze of burning automotive fire! It’s a beast of thorough consideration of design aesthetic and composed with withering perfection. This car has the presence of hugeness and immensity - you can feel the power and essence of largeness. As such that the size of the car is also the size of its engine – one of terrifying power.

The beauty of the Ciel begins at the front. The eye is immediately attracted to the headlamps, which are ferociously sweeping down into the lower fascia. Sitting majestically right between them is the massive grille which resembles a wide ear-to-ear terse grin. One that says, “Yeah, I’m nice but I’m real bad!” The curves of the grille are sympathetic to the sweeping curves of the headlamps and compliment it splendidly. Furthermore, the curves of the grille are accented by being “drawn” into the hood. If you bring your eyes up to the windshield and follow the length of the hood back to the start of the grille, you’ll pick up the effect. It is so stately!

Moving on to the side of the car is the very Lamborghini-style mirrors – well at least that’s what comes to my mind – and they are vividly picturesque of fast-moving sheets of wind smoothly ripping past. Moving lower, on the side, are the huge wheels, and they have the effect of grounding this beast – like huge stones anchoring it to the ground. To describe further, it appears as if it’s tying down a huge machine that at anytime can tear off the pavement at dizzying speeds – lapping up air through its huge front grille!

Transitioning to the back of the car, the side panels reach into a neat, flawless, and classic rear end. The rear lights are crisp, sharp, and beautiful, and delightfully take hold of your eyes. You know, like the feel of a crisp Lays potato chip, as it crumbles perfectly in your mouth? That’s how these lights feel – except to the eyes instead (lol)! Moving further down, are the exhaust pipes, which are metal slits and are situated immediately beneath the taillights. This was such a gorgeous positioning decision. The beauty here is that the taillight and the exhaust pipe appear as one piece…it looks inclusive though separate. To finally sum up the rear, I must bring your attention to the huge front grille-shaped intrusion into the metal. It brings instantaneous memory of the front of the car’s front end, and thus, keeps the mind’s observation of the beauty of the car in motion! Topping it off is the nice fat Cadillac crest smack dead in the center of the shape – akin to a king’s seal. Like Rick Ross says – in incremental tones of loudness, “Imma boss! Imma Boss! Imma Boss!!”






Now here, is the trick played on the eye! You see above is the real ending edge of the body of the car. However, the light catcher makes the eye believe that the car's ending edge is that of the light catcher itself. Now alltogether the light catcher, inaddition to the top curve of the body of the car induces a swift dashing motion - an attitude of speed!

These wheels are a splendid addition to the design of the Cadillac Ciel. If you are really in tune with the design of this car, you will realize that the slits in the wheel spokes have the precise effect of radience, and this is due to a notion of emptiness - the slit being that you can see through it! The entire body of the car is drawn into the wheels and exuded right back out.


Checkout this side vent! It travels straight up until it reaches the long slanted front quarter panel seam. Genius!





Below are the pictures of the interior of the Cadillac Ciel. I must admit that I am at a total loss of design terminology to describe the magnificence of the Ciel's interior. My brain becomes confused as a rush of words and ideas of words is sent to my brain by my mind! My brain goes blank! But wait, I think I managed some words of description: robotic- architecturistic, jagged hand gestures and jeky dance moves. How that sound? (lol)








The only thing about this Cadillac Ciel is that it is a concept :(. I don't know if it will ever make it to production. I wish! I hope!