Online car Designing

Many former tutors at design schools worldwide have spoken out about the current state of design education. With the influx of programs sprouting up on every continent, it could be said that choosing to enroll in these design programs has become an elitist endeavor, where only those fortunate enough to have the financial resources stand a chance to achieve their dreams.

Car Design Academy is looking to challenge this dilemma through a series of courses available online. The courses, which range from a $200 quarter-view sketch course to the $4000, 48-week-long CDA Total Course — can be accessed for a fraction of the costs normally associated with a typical university and without geographical constraints. Students can simply access the courses online through their computers, phone or tablets.

“As you may know, in order to become a car designer one must attend a college that offers the appropriate specialized courses. Attendance is very costly, ” explains Car Design Academy founder and principal Yu Nakasone. “Unfortunately many students had to give up their dream to become a car designer because of this expense.

“Car Design Academy was established by professionally seasoned designers who wanted to change this situation. By offering an online program, a high quality educational program is easily accessible to all students. It is a meaningful project that seeks to nurture the hidden talents of potential car designers from every corner of the world.”

Run by internationally renowned automotive designer Nori Kurihara, a seasoned designer with nearly 40 years of experience in the automotive design industry, the course offers an opportunity for talented designers with small budgets to further their dream of being a car designer right from the convenience of their own homes. A further three professional designers — Miki Hattori (Opel, Bertone), Takayuki Yamazaki (Honda) and Takeru Can (Nori, Inc.) — also teach the course, using reference materials and textbooks, tutorials and videos specifically created for the online program.

The goal is to ensure the students have a firm understanding of sketching and presentation techniques and are able to develop an industry standard portfolio. To that end, the tutors also provide one-on-one guidance, which is perhaps the most valuable aspect of the learning process.