Thanks Mike. Analog sketching just seems to fit with the nature of these projects. I’ve gone back to analog for a lot of stuff. I just like the connection between the hand and the page. Not to mention the social nature of it. Our studio has a large conference table in the middle of it. Sitting there and sketching as a team for short bursts on projects is so helpful. Until we can get that entire thing to be a Microsoft Surface, paper seems to be working well
Thanks. These projects are all about the details. The difficult part is taking a vehicle you didn’t combine, designing every detail in a way that upholds what Icon is all about, and still having it read as a cohesive whole. I think Jonathan at Icon is all about enhancing the original vehicle, so even if the components are pretty over the top, they still blend in as a holistic thought when you zoom out. More vehicles are in the works!
I may not have a choice, you haven’t seen me drive…
It is that time of year again. Another SEMA show and another Icon. This time a vintage Chevy Thriftmaster. Beautifully put together. I helped out on the hood badge, side badges, designed the gauges and gauge graphics as well as the IP deco plates that house the HVAC vents and cover all of the modern bits. Super fun project.
All the deets:
As usual, most of the awesomeness of this is in the fantastic build quality and overall vision of Icon. I just add a bit on some of the bits and pieces, and happy to have fun.
Ha, I wish. They are $250k… out of my league. The original has a horizontal “CHEVROLET” badge with f mount points on the hood. The new badge had to utilize those mount existing mont points which is why the horizontal bar is placed so carefully low in relationship to the central circular form containing the lizard. Lots of subtle iteration.
That Thrift master is one of my favs. I’d really like to build a couple, classic and a rat rod build. The ICON electric bikes are fetching as well. I just feel for the price point mechanical disc brakes are a poor choice.
That aluminum ridge mismatch and gap really jumped out at me. Thought its incongruity could be a homage to the original but never had time to look it up.
They match at the bottom, where they parallel the vertical surface; what a PITA to fit up the edge to the convolutions as they climb up that surface. That the vents and the pulls aren’t exactly parallel to the lower edge of the dash, well… … .
Well, you all know I’m yanking D2O’s chain, right?
Its all good. Those things stand out. A previous build of this interior had a trim piece between those two aluminum parts. Not sure about the vents and knobs, I’ll have to ask Jonathan.
Jonathan recently announced a project we have been working on for a bit. It hasn’t been built yet, but I was pumped he started talking about the Icon Bullitt Mustang, capturing that Steve McQueen style with a bit of a twist. Check out some of my design process sketches below.
I’m very proud of the interior on this one which integrates walnut veneer very similar to an Eames lounge chair, machined metal trim, bison leather, custom gauges, and a touch screen with Apple Car Play… of course the next one will have to top it. Never stop.