Barbara Kapelj Osredkar

Barbara Kapelj Osredkar: How do you start designing a car? Do you start from crazy ideas or from simple ones?
Anthony Prozzi: Great design always starts with a great story; so regardless if I am designing a car or a mens’ suit – the story behind it must be strong and relevant, you need to answer who is the customer, what are the things they respond to and what is the world they live in.

BKO: What kind of a car do you like?
AP: There are so many amazing vehicles – it’s hard to pick one kind – depends on my mood – sometimes I want to drive a large diesel engined truck like an F-350, or sometimes I want something more introspective like a vintage Citroen.
It really comes down to what I’m feeling at a particular time – you know , do you want to wear a pair of jeans today or are you in the mood to be all done up in couture?!

BKO: Did you play a lot with toy cars when you were a child? Or did you enjoy drawing cars?
AP: I enjoyed simply drawing, my mom claims I did draw some – uh – very interesting cars as a child; but I was always attracted to the arts. My parents were Italian immigrants – they made certain I was exposed to culture.

BKO: Did you dream as a child to be a car designer?
AP: I did alot of dreaming,as a child I had quite a vivid imagination – funny thing I was groomed to be a doctor, but life always takes you in another direction – I’m very glad it did.

BKO: Where did your love of cars come from?
AP: I think it came from my grandfather – he had an old Alfa Giuletta that he would take such precious care of – he introduced me to the beauty of form, line, proportion.

BKO: Which are the projects that you think make your work stand out?
AP: Probably the Mercury MetaOne – I was very very fortunate to have alot of autonomy in design – it was as close to a pure vision as I could have asked for.

BKO: What automakers stand out today, design wise? What future car technology can we expect?
AP: Obviously, I know what we are doing at Ford will take your breath away in the next few years. Alfa also is extraordinary – they have stayed true to their soul, but have made it very modern – I adore the 8C.

BKO: Your »blue sky« in Meta One reminds me of Rene Magritte’s paintings. Who among interior designers, fashion designers, architects or artist past or present have most influenced your design work? How about among fashion designers or car designers?
AP: I’m so happy to hear you reference Magritte. I feel it is essential for any designer to take inspiration from the arts. I’m spellbound by the work of Zaha Hadid – her paintings of her architectural visions are extraordinary. I’m also a big fan of Hussein Chalayan, Alexander Mcqueen and Zac Posen when it comes to fashion.

BKO: You have grown up with modern design tools. How does this help your creative process?
AP: Working with 3-D software such as Alias gives you greater control over the surface of what you are creating – and let’s face it all designers are control freaks; so whatever will help me in presenting my thoughts with as much clarity as possible is a great help.

BKO: Do you still make hand sketches?
AP: Of course I still sketch, but they are strictly for my eyes only – I sketch like I think, which is very abstract – my drawings become like cubist paintings – they show simultaneous views.

BKO: How much are you limited and how much freedom in design do you have?
AP: Limitations are strictly self-imposed – if a material is out of reach due to its scarcity or cost – well then that is not the solution for the design challenge.
My feeling is a great designer can work within extremely tight boundaries, and it is within those boundaries that breakthroughs happen.

BKO: Which are your prefered colors , materials, and fabrics; and which don’t you like to use at all?
AP: Well, unlike design of the past – we must design with a conscience – therefore any material which is recyclable or sustainable is first choice – and there are so many choices and new materials being developed; once again it varies on project to project and what I want to convery.

BKO: Does Michelle Kwan still inspire your design?
AP: Of course, when the pressures of my day become a bit tiresome I take a break and watch her performances on youtube – it really puts me in a wonderful mood

BKO: How will a car look which is designed for Michelle Kwan; for Donna Karan?
AP: Wow, well for Michelle Kwan – it will be strong, fast and powerful – but just like she skates – it will be done with gentility and grace and wear its heart on its sleeve. Donna Karan is focused on exquisite flow and movement – hmmm – quite similar to how Michelle skates – perhaps Ms. Karan can design for Michelle who can wear it in a car I design for her!

BKO: Do you skate a lot to relax? Do you have any other hobbies?
AP: I skate almost everyday – I’ve met incredible people in the sport – I must mention an extreme gratitude to Elizabeth Punsalan and her husband Jerod Swallow – she taught me and I heed her words every time I take to the ice.
I practice yoga, and enjoy time wiht my friends – I’m a lousy cook, but I have great skills in cocktails.

BKO: Can you describe your work day?
AP: Hmmm – I’m afraid to tell you – I’m not a morning type of person – usually its much later in the day when ideas start to kick in – I prefer to stay late – when it’s quiet and I can listen to very loud Rachmaninoff to sketch and design.

BKO: Do you spend a lot of time in a car?
AP: Of course – it’s become an extension of my living room – but I refuse to eat or drink while I drive.

BKO: If you had no limits and no laws what kind a car would you design?
AP: That would be a dream – probably a vehicle that would be very introspective – something only for myself – somethign very selfish – I would have ot sketch something to show you.

BKO: How about when you look at typical automobiles from a large manufacturer today; what are your thoughts about design ?
AP: I can see what challenges they had to face – and the excuses they must make – which I have no tolerance for – design is something which is sacred, you dare not throw it away – it gets me sick when I see resouces wasted.

BKO: Do you miss some of the exuberance of earlier times, when vehicles did not have to conform to so many safety or environmental regulations?
AP: Not at all – it is a wake-up call; we should have had the foresight to know better.

BKO: Have cars become more about features and benefits and less about looks and style?
AP: Just the opposite – you can buy any feature and most vehicles come with so many standardized options they are all the same – it is through design that you stand out in the crowd – and consumers are very aware of this.

BKO: How close does the concept of mass customization fit some of your ideas about more personal products?
AP: Customization and personalization are a key to the success of any manufacturer. After all, who would not want something special made just for them – sort of like a made-to-order suit or couture dress.

BKO: What are the parallels between car design and fashion design?
AP: All boundaries between any facet of design are being blurred – we are all inspired by similar influences and we all design for a diverse group of consumers’ taste – the process is the same, obviously with something as complex as a car there are technical aspects that differ from fashion.

BKO: How do you see a car design in 2108? Will we have to keep different models in our heads judging whether the car in front of us is controlled by a human driver, by automation or a hybrid?
AP: I believe by 2108, it will be total customization that fits your lifestyle – be it a single seat vehicle or a multi-passenger vehicle – the logistics of purchasing will be very different and the technologies will enable an enormous range of choices.

BKO: What are the most important design trends affecting the next generation of cars?
AP: I think any trend that sparks an emotional reaction and present a clear point of view will do well. Personally, I’m a romantic – I want to see sensuality in form and be seduced by it.

BKO: How many people are working on one project and how many years does it take to make a good car design?
AP: The last program I completed, the Ford Flex took 9 designers, 3 exterior, 3 interior, 2 managers and a chief – we worked intensly to produce a production ready vehicle in under 2 years. We were fortunate to have a shared vision which is essential to make a good car design.

BKO: Could you briefly describe the projects at which you are working on presently?
AP: Alot of sexiness – and so many unexpected surprises – Interior design is at a breakthrough in redefining interior space within a vehicle – you will get aglimpse at next years Detroit Auto show – so prepare!

BKO: What do you most remember about years spent at Ford?
AP: My friendships with so many wonderful people. I can not say enough and express gratitude to all the people that have helped me in my career and personally. Ford truly understands you must embrace diversity, everyone is treated like they are family – I can’t imagine a better environment.

BKO: What do you think about Europe’s car designs?
AP: Magnificent. A Triumph. Martin Smith has demonstrated how you can work within parameters and demonstrate design with so much emotion and appeal. Its a very powerful message.

BKO: What ails the American car designs today?
AP: Complacency. Forgive me but Chrysler should be ashamed – they develope a strong statement with the 300, but all else is poor.

BKO: Are you going to design other things in the future?
AP: I’ve been toying with some clothing, and as a very special gift I designed a dress worn by a skating friend that she wore to perform – it was very emotional.

BKO: What would you say to anyone who aspires to be an auto designer today?
AP: Its a wonderful industry that is in its renaissance – so do well.