Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) Interior Design Contributor
My time at Fiat
Special Edition Fiat 500 interiors
My time at Fiat
As a key member of the design team for the iconic Fiat 500 (Cinquecento), I primarily contributed to the vehicle's interior design and various side projects/custom car designs. This conceptual sketch, created post-tenure, reflects the detailed design thinking involved in developing a globally recognized vehicle. Due to the proprietary na
As a key member of the design team for the iconic Fiat 500 (Cinquecento), I primarily contributed to the vehicle's interior design and various side projects/custom car designs. This conceptual sketch, created post-tenure, reflects the detailed design thinking involved in developing a globally recognized vehicle. Due to the proprietary nature of this project, original design images are not displayed.
Interior Design
Special Edition Fiat 500 interiors
My time at Fiat
The modern automotive interior is an incredibly complex, meticulously crafted ecosystem, demanding intense focus on both macro and micro details. From the smallest button to the largest surface, every single element is a distinct part that requires unique attention to its design, its cost implications, and its seamless integration within
The modern automotive interior is an incredibly complex, meticulously crafted ecosystem, demanding intense focus on both macro and micro details. From the smallest button to the largest surface, every single element is a distinct part that requires unique attention to its design, its cost implications, and its seamless integration within the larger cabin. My experience involved managing this intricate process, ensuring precision and visual coherence across thousands of individual components working in harmony to define the user's experience.
Special Edition Fiat 500 interiors
Special Edition Fiat 500 interiors
Special Edition Fiat 500 interiors
Beyond the standard production, I also had the unique opportunity to design special edition Fiat 500 interiors for high-profile clients and celebrities. These projects involved curating unique material palettes, exclusive color combinations, and bespoke finishes to reflect individual personalities and enhance the vehicle's premium appeal
Beyond the standard production, I also had the unique opportunity to design special edition Fiat 500 interiors for high-profile clients and celebrities. These projects involved curating unique material palettes, exclusive color combinations, and bespoke finishes to reflect individual personalities and enhance the vehicle's premium appeal. Notable clients included Italian actress Monica Bellucci, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, then-President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano, and Ferrari President Piero Ferrari. Similar to core production work, the specific designs created for these special editions are not displayed due to NDA.
Ferrari Commendatore F75 Concept
The Vision & Its Recognition
My Ferrari Commendatore F75 concept, developed in 2003 during my time at the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design, stands as a bold vision for the future of hypercars. This concept was designed to join the lineage of Ferrari's most revered, uncompromised top-tier vehicles—the F40, F50, and Enzo—envisioning their evolution for 2025. It's a design I still favor over more recent production models like the F80, underscoring its long-term foresight in automotive aesthetics.
The F75 was conceived for a very exclusive client, a car that exists beyond mere ownership for most, serving instead as an object of pure admiration and aspiration. My design pursued an uncompromised vision for the joy of driving a supercar, integrating the most advanced technology available at the time. Inspired by the raw performance and aerodynamic purity of jet airplanes and Formula 1 cars, the concept achieved a super-low profile, high-downforce, single-person vehicle crafted for the ultimate dream driving experience.
During its development, I received direct mentorship from industry legends, including Ken Okuyama, then Lead Designer at Pininfarina and designer of the iconic Ferrari Enzo. The project also garnered significant attention from automotive enthusiasts and figures, with Jay Leno personally visiting the gallery multiple times to view my work.
Concept to Creation
The realization of the F75 concept culminated in two distinct 1/4 scale models that showcased mastery of both traditional and cutting-edge prototyping.
The first was a meticulously crafted clay half-model, expertly sculpted to achieve its complex forms, utilizing a mirror for perfect symmetry. This traditional method highlights my hands-on sculptural abilities and understanding of form in physical space.
The second model was digitally generated using Autodesk Alias StudioTools for precision surfacing, then brought into the physical world through CNC machining. This approach demonstrated proficiency in advanced digital modeling and fabrication workflows.
While the core design philosophy remained consistent, this dual approach allowed for minor refinements and highlighted the evolution of my design process across different mediums. Both models achieved the rare honor of being displayed twice in the ArtCenter College of Design Gallery for full terms: first upon their completion, and remarkably, again at my graduation. This repeated invitation is exceptionally uncommon, underscoring the project's enduring quality and impact amidst the numerous stunning models created each term.
Freelance after graduation
Original Zap Xebra Model (2006)
Original Zap Xebra Model (2006)
Original Zap Xebra Model (2006)
The Zap Xebra, a pioneering electric vehicle from 2006, presented a unique design challenge. At a time when electric cars were still rare, my freelance commission focused on infusing a modern aesthetic while strictly adhering to the existing proportions, windshield, and its exact placement—a critical constraint due to expensive crash test certifications.
Initial Conceptual Sketches
Original Zap Xebra Model (2006)
Original Zap Xebra Model (2006)
My conceptual work, showcased through these line drawings, directly addresses those tight engineering and budget parameters. This project demonstrates my ability to innovate and craft compelling solutions for evolving transportation needs within real-world constraints. My contribution was valued with a significant $12,000 fee, highlighting the immediate impact and market relevance of my design expertise.