Christopher Young
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About
Christopher Young is a professional and experienced global automotive designer. He has enjoyed his passion of automotive design for the past 25 years as a creative designer, senior creative designer and lead senior designer. He also has a degree in product design and has worked in the athletic footwear industry.
Young was born in Kensington, Pennsylvania. From a very young age he has had a love of cars, science fiction and music. The latter was exposed in third grade while attending an all boys school in which exposure to classical music was required. His passion for science fiction is a large influence to the love of cars. As a child Christopher utilized drawing and model making to express his ideas. Growing older he combined these interests into hands on experiences with physically working on cars. Young applied these interests with an automotive restoration company located in Stratford Connecticut where he worked on marques ranging from Aston Martin to Triumph. This led Young to studying industrial design at the University of Bridgeport located in Bridgeport Connecticut earning a Bachelor of Science (BS). He also has earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from the College of Creative Studies, School of Art and Design (BFA) located in Detroit Michigan.
His creativity was noted at an early age with interests in a range of vehicles especially automotive. Young involved himself in collecting miniatures models of cars, creating original vehicles and creature character ideas in 3D, drawing and finally indulging in mechanical aspects of automobiles. Further interests outside the future of design include: Music, where Young as created music by software and piano / keyboard. Dj’ing venues in California and Michigan. Architecture, road cycling, photography , road course driving and vehicle modification / repair. Young also participates and has won national and regional automotive concours style events. He enjoys and looks forward further contributing to the evolution of transportation and the product experience while mentoring the upcoming generation of designers. -
Education
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BFA Transportation DesignCollege For Creative Studies
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BS Industrial DesignUniversity of Bridgeport
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Experience
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Transportation Design InstructorDetroit, MIOct 2023 - Present (1 year 2 months)Instruction to high school students from varied locations in collaboration with the GM Design Outreach and Development program.
Back to basics foundation utilizing hand drawn sketching for GM (Chevrolet) intent.
Instruct the students on using Color and Material (CFM), “Mood” and “Persona” boards to explain and highlight their chosen designs.
Work with students teaching basic proportions and perspective views
Aid in both verbal and 2d presentations. -
Automotive Detail ManagerBirmingham, MIJul 2022 - Jan 2024 (1 year 6 months)The Manager of the Detail Department is responsible for managing a team of detailers, which may include hiring, training, and supervising detailers to ensure that they follow dealership leadership standards and policies ensuring that vehicles are maintained and presented in a visually appealing manner.
Detailing vehicles: The Manager of the Detail Department may also be responsible for detailing vehicles, especially when there is a high volume of vehicles that need to be prepared for sale or during peak periods. Ensuring vehicles meet Auto Europe's high standards for presentation and cleanliness.
Inventory: The Manager of the Detail Department is responsible for managing inventory, including ordering supplies and equipment necessary for detailing vehicles, tracking and monitoring inventory levels.
Customer service: The Manager of the Detail Department plays a role in customer service, ensuring that customers receive clean, well-maintained vehicles that meet their expectations.
Health and safety: The Manager of the Detail Department is responsible for ensuring that the detailing team operates in a safe and healthy environment.
Collaborating with other departments: The Manager of the Detail Department works closely with other departments within Auto Europe, such as the service and sales departments to ensure vehicles are prepared for sale or returned to customers in a timely manner.
Promote the overall business: Artwork completed for presentation for the detail department. Social media promotion and company sponsored events. Automotive shows (i.e Cars and Coffee) and new model drives for clients.
Overall, the Manager of the Detail Department plays a critical role in ensuring the vehicles serviced by Auto Europe, as well as new Lotus and Morgan vehicles sold by the dealership, are presented in an appealing and high-quality manner. This requires strong leadership skills, attention to detail and commitment to customer service. -
Senior Lead DesignerFord Motor CompanyDearborn, MIJul 2011 - Apr 2022 (10 years 9 months)Directed, supervised, designed and created assorted projects both for production and upcoming concept vehicles
Developed strategy comprising collaboration in both UX focusing on customer experience and UI physical cosmetic integration. Prioritized company parts usage catalogue for use in diversified programs from China to North America within Ford and Lincoln - 2021-2022
Directed with 2D sketch rendering and 3D digital - clay - glamour model verification support of theme direction. Met timing gates on time. Partnered often with market research. Advised Mexico and Germany for manufacturing, engineering, 3D support. - Bronco Sport - Interior - Production - 2021
Led direction with 2D sketches renderings and 3D digital - clay glamour model of chosen theme direction. Facilitated presentations. Final IP theme chosen for production between 2 final proposals after reaching all design timing gates - Navigator - Interior - Production - 2015 - 2016
Managed and supported build process with an outside fabricator. Enhanced direction of interior design with 2D sketch renderings. Worked along with engineering and in house fabrication of models. Collaborated with marketing vison of concept - Navigator - Interior - Concept - 2016
Guided and led 3D digital and clay sculptors. Generated 2D support for interior design such as seats, console and hard trim - Lincoln Continental - Interior - Production - 2014
Orchestrated concept direction - seating, overhead and material selection. Managed 2D sketches illustrating design intent. Facilitated additional 3D support for final property. Coordinate final assembly build with outside supplier - Lincoln - MKC - Interior - Concept - 2013
Executed full theme vision utilizing 2D representation 3D digital support leading to execution of full size glamour model. Accomplished IP panel -console final direction - Mustang - Interior - Production -2012
Spearheaded, organized and 3D support - Lincoln MKZ - Interior -Concept - 2011 -
3D-2D Creative Solutions Designer-AutomotiveUnderground WorldCAMay 2009 - Jul 2011 (2 years 2 months)ng digital 3D and 2D assistance, support and solution problem solving for varied automotive and product design companies.
Providing digital 3D and 2D assistance, support and solution problem solving for varied automotive and product design companies.
Skills: 3D Modeling · Microsoft Office · Automotive Design · Interpersonal Communication · Adobe Creative Suite · Digital Photography · 3D Visualization · Apple · Automotive · Adobe Photoshop · Bunkspeed · 3D rendering · Adobe Illustrator · Gravity Sketch · 3D Rendering · Alias Studio Tools -
Creative DesignerGeneral MotorsWarren, MIJun 1994 - May 2007 (12 years 11 months)Designed, developed varied projects both for production and concept vehicles.
Spearheaded exterior refresh. Executed original- mid-cycle models. Created in conjunction with Porsche Engineering - Troy Michigan - Los Angeles California. Provided 2D sketch ideation - renderings and 3D clay direction - Saturn Vue Redline
Controlled, oversaw - Exterior / Interior, concept originator, budget coordinator, 2D-3D support delivering direction digital and clay modelers - ION Rallye
Guided, oversaw - Exterior performance enhancement full -3D support providing digital direction without a 3D verification model - ION Redline
Controlled Interior execution working with 3D sculptors and fabrication and contributed 2D direction - Alero Alpha show car
Designed, developed varied projects both for production and concept vehicles. Spearheaded exterior refresh. Executed original- mid-cycle models. Created in conjunction with Porsche Engineering - Troy Michigan - Los Angeles California. Provided 2D sketch ideation - renderings and 3D clay direction - Saturn Vue Redline Controlled, oversaw - Exterior / Interior, concept originator, budget coordinator, 2D-3D support delivering direction digital and clay modelers - ION Rallye Guided, oversaw - Exterior performance enhancement full -3D support providing digital direction without a 3D verification model - ION Redline Controlled Interior execution working with 3D sculptors and fabrication and contributed 2D direction - Alero Alpha show car
Skills: Concept Art · 3D Modeling · Microsoft Office · Automotive Design · Interpersonal Communication · Adobe Creative Suite · User Stories · 3D Visualization · Apple · Automotive · Adobe Photoshop · 3D rendering · Adobe Illustrator · Gravity Sketch · 3D Rendering · Alias Studio Tools
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Awards
Michelin Tire Design Competition
Saturn Ion Redline - Achievement letter from GM (signed by Bob Lutz)
Saturn Vue Redline - Achievement letter from GM
PCA - National Concours 1st Place Street Class - Porsche 928 - Traverse City, Michigan
PCA - National Concours 2nd Place Touring Class - Porsche 928 - French Lick, Indiana
PCASEM - Regional Concours 2st Place - Porsche 928 - 2015- Birmingham, Michigan
PCASEM - Regional Concours 1st Place - Porsche 928 - 2016 - Birmingham, Michigan
PCASEM - Regional Concours 1st Place - Porsche 911 - 2017- Birmingham, Michigan
PATENT : Ford Concept Multi - Function Steering Wheel Stalk - Utility FGTL attorney: Frank A MacKenzie 83399424 - 83399416 - 2013 - Devised for Lincoln MKC Concept
PATENT : Ford Concept Seat Control Switch - FGTL Attorney: Frank a MacKenzie - 83399412 - 2013 - Designed for Lincoln MKC Concept -
Affiliations
GDEA - Greater Detroit Entrepreneur Association
PCA - Porsche Club of America
BMWCCA - BMW Club of North America
BGCA - Boys Girls Club of America
Lotus
Jaguar
Aston Martin -
Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@cyth, member since 2006
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Following 6
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Followers 32
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