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Gender: Male
School: College for Creative Studies
Course: Automotive Design
Location: United States
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I started off my design thought process by finding what qualities make the GMC Terrain unique among its competition, and among the rest of the GMC lineup.
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PaulMutter
Age: 21Gender: Male
School: College for Creative Studies
Course: Automotive Design
Location: United States
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I grew up in the in Troy MI, a close suburb of Detroit, with cars and art being two of my major passions. I discovered automotive design and have been pursuing it as a career ever since.
I will be a junior at College for Creative Studies in the fall
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I started off my design thought process by finding what qualities make the GMC Terrain unique among its competition, and among the rest of the GMC lineup. 
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PaulMutter in response to Carl Zipfel 3rd Nov 2012 | 20:29
Carl, thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely make sure to push the design and details further for my final design and renderings.
Carl Zipfel 17th Oct 2012 | 20:48
Hi Paul. Where do you think you are for finalizing your phase 2 part of this competition?
PaulMutter in response to Carl Zipfel 18th Oct 2012 | 3:33
As of right now I've been sketching more around the interior portion of the competition because I feel like I have a longer way to go in that part the of vehicle. I would greatly appreciate some more feedback on the exterior and especially the interior to know if I'm heading in the right direction, and if not, point me in a better one. Thanks!
11PaulMutter 1st Sep 2012 | 7:33
For all of my brand-relavent technologies/innovations for my exterior and interior, I wanted to utilize the technologies in a way that directly affects the design of the vehicle rather than just claiming that the vehicle has certain capabilities that are not directly visible in the design.
PaulMutter 31st Aug 2012 | 1:31
Thanks for the feedback. I was going for a more realistic proportion rather than cheating the size of the wheels too much, but I probably did that too much so and lost some drama and stance.
zac 29th Aug 2012 | 19:15
Some cool stuff man! The wheel bases on most of them are a little narrow and the wheels are tiny. A little but more exaggeration would make them exciting.
PaulMutter 29th Aug 2012 | 19:08
Form ideation, and more refined theme sketches are finally up! Feedback is appreciated as always
Marco 22nd Aug 2012 | 5:13
Hi, I think your inspiration board really reflects and supports the thoughts behind your concepts. But I agree that the next generation of Terrain might evole towards "practical" and "economic" (pretty much what you pointed out on your first page) rather than "tough" and "industrial". Perhaps the interior can tie things together! Sketches are great!
... by the way, are inspiration board and customer profile required for this contest?
PaulMutter in response to Marco 22nd Aug 2012 | 15:46
Thanks a lot Marco. Its good to hear I'm not completely off base thinking that, but I do want to make sure to preserve the capable feel of current GMC products, and make sure to have lots of details and innovations that continue to give the design a more premium feel. To answer your question, I do not think it is required, although from what I've seen in comments from the mentors and judges, it is highly recommended.
Carl Zipfel 15th Aug 2012 | 15:24
Paul,
Nice sketches. The new stuff is starting to push the aesthetic out farther like I suggested. Keep pushing. Put some thought into what you think the proportion should be for a future terrain. Some thought starters on that: Should it have more off-road capability ? Is it still a 5 passenger or should it be 7? Etc... I would like to challenge you to think about a new surfacing philosophy for GMC. Faceted vs.sculptural vs. architectural vs ? Good momentum and effort. Keep it going.
PaulMutter in response to Carl Zipfel 20th Aug 2012 | 7:02
The direction I am currently pursuing for my design is more toward making the Terrain more unique within the GMC lineup from the current Acadia, while also using GMC's value on premium utility to keep the Terrain unique from its competition. With this idea in mind, I decided that the next generation Terrain should, if anything, become smaller through a more compact package (I am trying to achieve this through using the 3 brand relevant technologies and sketches explaining them will be coming very soon). So to answer your questions, I currently view the Terrain as a 5 person CUV that is more focused on utility and capability (small torquey yet economical engine and unique features that make the vehicle more flexible in the cargo it can carry) rather than making more room for passengers (what I view as the Acadia's current role in the GMC lineup). As for the styling of the vehicle, I am striving for fluid, sleek forms that seem to be encased within a rigid sculptural frame (explanatory sketches coming soon), while using the graphics of the vehicle to emphasize its capable GMC roots and brand identity.
Carl Zipfel in response to Carl Zipfel 23rd Aug 2012 | 16:55
Paul, Ok, I am buying it. Now just make all that you defined look good. Nice effort on this project. Might be a good time for the images you mentioned that start to tie all those ideas together and tell the whole story. It would be nice to get into some loose color sketches with a little more detail also.
10Coolair 4th Aug 2012 | 15:00
I really like all of your sketches! I think GMC could (and should) bring back the Typhoon with this design.
PaulMutter in response to Hoang Dang 31st Jul 2012 | 20:17
I just got back from studying in Italy so more sketches will be coming soon.
9J.Co 30th Jul 2012 | 2:58
I really like how these headlights seem to be on the same 'line' with the main grill trim piece. Nice sketch, Paul.
PaulMutter in response to J.Co 30th Jul 2012 | 20:00
Thanks a lot Jordan, that ideas definitely something I'm strongly looking in to, although I feel like that specific sketch is looking a little bit too much like the Granite concept.
8Xiao 23rd Jul 2012 | 22:41
Some interesting ideas. It might be good if you could pay more attention on the form developments. And some perspective issues as I marked. Anyway, they look good.
PaulMutter in response to Xiao 30th Jul 2012 | 19:58
Thanks Xiao. With my next batch of sketches I'm planning on showing my form inspiration more specifically.
Carl Zipfel 19th Jul 2012 | 16:14
Paul,
Great start. I can see the influence from the current Terrain and Granite concept. I encourage you to go beyond those vehicles in terms of surface themes and graphics. We are looking for that next aesthetic for GMC. It will really be the culmination of the proportions, surfaces and graphics to create that new GMC aesthetic. Keep pushing beyond what we know GMC today.
PaulMutter in response to Carl Zipfel 20th Jul 2012 | 21:00
Thanks Carl. I will definitely try and push the design further away from what GMC has already done, toward something new in my future sketches. I really appreciate the feedback and the push in the right direction.
7Drew Meehan 16th Jul 2012 | 15:19
Hey Paul. These sketches are looking good. I wouldn't worry about adding color yet, sketching with lines only are a great way to explore the basic forms and volumes, and I think you're doing a nice job with it. I think this nose is also starting to look an awful like like Ford's new corporate DRG, so be aware of that going forward as well. Lots of nice sketches and ideas. Enjoy Italy and keep up the sketching whenever you can!
PaulMutter in response to Drew Meehan 16th Jul 2012 | 15:40
Thanks a lot Drew. I can see what you mean one that particular front end. I am not particularly fond of it just from a design perspective in general anyway. I'm planning on trying to find a way to achieve GMC's brand identity, but in a less brutal, sleeker fashion. And yes, much more sketches will be coming come early August.
6K.migwe 11th Jul 2012 | 0:24
Hey Paul, for your side views i would add a lot more ground clearance to help your proportions match the ones in perspective. Keep it up
Hoang Dang 10th Jul 2012 | 23:29
Nice car sketches Paul! I would say you are pretty safe in term of sketching technique. It's time to do some exploration on the forms and functions. Also try to relate your inspiration board with your design. That would help viewers like me to see how you think and translate your thoughts into 2D drawings.
PaulMutter in response to Hoang Dang 11th Jul 2012 | 0:18
Thanks a lot Hoang. Yeah, I know what youre saying. Most of these sketches were done with just general ideas of where I wanted to take the project in mind, and not necessarily specific intentions, kind of just getting them out of my head and on to paper. Once I get back from Italy, and have more time to do very focused sketching, I think it'll be easier to show my thought process by sketching in a more organized manor in the first place.
5aokhman 10th Jul 2012 | 8:33
Paul...The bottom left ad the top right are nice, you should push forward those ideas, good job bud!
PaulMutter in response to aokhman 10th Jul 2012 | 12:16
Thanks Arkadi. The sketches that you pointed out were some of the ones I liked too, and yeah I can see a Little Land Rover in that one. I think its the wider and less tall grill shape combined with the long headlamps. I do like the idea of this sort of proportioned grille however for the Terrain. It is the smallest of GMC's lineup and I think a sleeker, more aerodynamic and widened look will reflect that well. I do need to make sure I keep it GMC and thats what I plan on exploring further in some more sketches
4aokhman 10th Jul 2012 | 8:31
Paul, this one pretty cool but to me it seems like it starting look like Land Rover. Your other sketches are good. Keep the good work
3Luigi Rinald0 7th Jul 2012 | 3:34
This is pretty cool, I like the bold stance of the headlights, and the air intake is cool. This front end feels more masculine and bold. You should use this design!
PaulMutter in response to Luigi Rinald0 10th Jul 2012 | 5:31
Thanks Luigi. I'm glad to hear you like it, but im definitely still in the ideation phase and don't want to get too locked in to any sort of definite direction so far.
Aguy 6th Jul 2012 | 20:39
Finally! lol jk. your perspectives seem to have a really good stance and feel to them but your side views can use a little work. See if you can convey that same feeling in your side view sketches of that sleek powerful look like in your perspectives. Good work so far.
PaulMutter in response to Aguy 6th Jul 2012 | 22:45
Thanks Adam. Yeah i definitely know what you mean. Almost all of the side views i posted are about like 2 inches long or less in my sketchbook cause i just use them to get quick ideas. I'll try to start doing some larger sketches and hopefully that will help.
PaulMutter 6th Jul 2012 | 17:36
About the actual sketches that I have uploaded so far: Theyre just a couple of rough, quick pen sketches that illustrate my thought process to this point. I would like to get some more finished sketches going, but I am currently studying abroad in Italy and probably wont be able to invest very much time into this competition until August. For now, I'd really appreciate some feedback about what you see so far so I know what direction I want to head in once I'm back in the states. Thanks!
PaulMutter 6th Jul 2012 | 16:54
Im having a lot of trouble with the ordering system of entries and cant get it to work in any logical way. Is there any way to fix this?
PaulMutter in response to PaulMutter 6th Jul 2012 | 17:34
I ended up just reuploading everything, and that worked.
Carl Zipfel 28th Jun 2012 | 15:41
Hi Paul, Nice boards. I have read your comments below and I think you have a good grasp on the brand and where a next gen Terrain should go. Good luck. Looking forward to the sketches.
PaulMutter 22nd Jun 2012 | 8:48
Thanks for the feedback Drew. I just uploaded a fixed board with corrected spelling and I'll continue to be more careful about it.
Drew Meehan in response to PaulMutter 29th Jun 2012 | 12:45
That's what I like to see Paul! Keep that attention to detail through the project and you'll do well. Looking forward to seeing some sketching and ideation.
Drew Meehan 21st Jun 2012 | 16:40
Nice use of a "persona" (profile) Paul. It's always important to remember who you're designing for, and this is a great way to do it. Nice mood boards as well.
Don't forget to check your spelling though, attention to detail is important in all aspects of a project!
1aokhman 18th Jun 2012 | 2:08
Good start Paul, the GMC Denali XT concept is good inspiration. Good luck bud !
Luigi Rinald0 15th Jun 2012 | 18:51
No problem. I totally agree with you. You should look at other competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has a blend of luxury and bold lines. You should use that for inspiration as well
PaulMutter 15th Jun 2012 | 17:30
Thanks for the input Luigi. I am planning on using the new Acadia's design as inspiration, as it is the most recent example of the direction the GMC brand is heading in, however, I also want to bring my own design tastes into the design and push the Terrain's design more towards the surfacing used on the Granite concept. I am also taking "professional grade" to heart with the design, but allowing the idea to push the design more towards a premium and highly capable design rather than one thats overtly "rugged" in a Jeep or Hummer-like way.
Luigi Rinald0 15th Jun 2012 | 16:49
I would suggest using the new grill that the 2013 Acadia is using, GMC's signature three bar grill, and also make it youthful and try to make the new terrain compete with others like the Nissan Juke, Mini cooper countryman, ford edge, etc. P.S. it's also got to be rugged and professional grade.
PaulMutter 14th Jun 2012 | 17:11
I started off my design thought process by finding what qualities make the GMC Terrain unique among its competition, and among the rest of the GMC lineup.
PaulMutter 14th Jun 2012 | 17:10
I then picked a customer that has a need for all the things the current Terrain does well. I plan on accentuating these strengths in my exterior design of the next generation Terrain, as well as pushing the design further in these categories to solidify these strengths of the vehicle even more.
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12Carl Zipfel 30th Oct 2012 | 15:58
Paul,
I think your exterior final theme lost some of the sharpness that some of your early sketches had. utilize every aspect of the exterior to push it as hard as possible. example; The side view i pinned, you could push the wheel/tire size a bit more. Scrutinize your line quality everywhere. I think you could render a little more detail in the grille for example. Door handles? mirrors? etc...