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The courses
While
there are no separate degree or diploma courses for automobile
design, this area is a part of design courses in the Industrial
Design Centre (IDC), an offshoot of the Indian Institute
of Technology (IIT), Powai, and at the National Institute
of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.
At IDC, a 2-year Master of Design in product design is
taught and one of the papers is automobile designing.
Says Professor Kirti Trivedi, "In automobile designing,
a student learns from drawing to actually making models
professionally for which we have full-fledged studios.
It is a creative aspect and because students have a technical
background, they are free to design according to their
ability. There are no set rules as such, it's either free
flow or fixed requirements such as right-hand drive, etc."
If one wants to learn the mechanics of it, then there
is a course at IIT that should do.
"In the third semester," continues Prof Trivedi,
"every student takes up two projects for degree requirements.
It is up to the students whether they wish to concentrate
on product or automobile or both. Under guidance, they
reach the model stage where they are further encouraged
through design exhibitions held once a year."
Dilip
Chhabria
Dilip
Chhabria Designs - Check
out DC Designs here.
KEYTUO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KONDIVITA VILLAGE
ROAD
MIDC, ANDHERI (E) MUMBAI-400 059.
TEL: 832 3551, 832 8111. FAX: 91-22-821 7392
E-MAIL: dcd.dilipcd@axcess.net.in
Writeup by Purnima Goswami of
Times Of India
It’s not enough to own a car these
days: you’ve got to make sure it reflects your personality
and that it looks different from the hundreds of others
on the road. And it shouldn’t be a thing to worry
about; just as cosmetic surgeons give a facelift to humans,
there are ‘car customisers’ too who can reincarnate
your vehicle into a ‘truly-traffic stopper’
model.
1. Dilip Chhabaria is
someone who adds this magic touch to cars. A graduate from Los Angeles Art Centre College
of Design, he has been in this business for almost a decade now. His first creation was
his own red gypsy called ‘Hurricane’ with a shortened wheel base - the two-seat
runabout has contoured front head lamps, a rear spoilers and wide Bridgestone tyres.
One of his eye-catching designs which drive teenagers crazy is a Maruti
1000 converted into a two-seater Japanese-style sports car. Chhabaria has remodelled
Marutis, Fiats, Contessas, Jeeps, Tempos and Tata Sierras and has clients from the film
world, prominent businessmen and even politicians. He has also designed cars for Mahindra
& Mahindra, Telco, Maruti Udyog & Premier Automobile.
"Let me admit that
when I started out in 80’s, I did suffer losses, but now Dilip Chhabaria Design, my
company is growing and doing very well. I started on my own with few mechanics. Today,
I’ve nearly 200 people working for me and have my own office garage of more than
25,000 sq. feet in Andheri." Chhabaria says. "As far as possible I style the
body of the car without interfering with the machine. I like to be given a free hand and
don’t like to compromise over aesthetics," he adds. He does the initial drawings
and is assisted by his team of tinsmiths and welders.
Chhabaria has recently joined hands with Ruby Coach builders and is all
set to transform the automobile scene in the country. "I’ll be designing and
manufacturing, and Ruby Coach will market Motor Home, Office on Wheels, Contessa Stretch
and Limousine," states Chhabaria. "Today there is a need for luxurious
comfortable vehicles, such as shooting crew, businessmen and foreign delegates need
facilities in a vehicle."
So Chhabaria’s office and home on wheels has an aircraft-like
ambiance with a car phone, television, refrigerator, chemical toilet, laptop, music system
and air-conditioner, all installed inside.
Chhabaria’s
custom-made cars can also be seen on the screen. In the new Pepsi ad (with Shahrukh Khan),
one can spot the Tata Sierra which has been remodelled into ‘Karma’ and it has
‘concealed front wipers, a remote activated petrol tank lid, an antenna with a
absolute matt finish colour.
"A few weeks ago, I’ve redesigned a Maruti Gypsy exclusively
for Yash Chopra’s film ‘Mohabbat kar li maine. Chopra, usually has foreign cars
in his films. This time, he wished to have something really different; in a record time of
55 days, we’ve transformed the Gypsy by metallic surgery,’ smiles Chhabaria.
This automobile-freak and car designer feels that "most car owners
share an emotional bond with a car, and so they are keen on owning a sleek, model. Abroad,
especially in US, customising is a lucrative business and in India, due to international
exposure, there is awareness about automobile design."
The innovative and creative
Chhabaria has now even got some prestigious assignments from companies abroad - he is
executing the design for Hawatal Whiting Firm of England "to design the interiors of
a car to be launched in India."
The trained stylist has
ambitious plans to put India on the international automobile map and wants his company to
emerge as one of the "best design houses."
Chhabaria is optimistic that India
can make eclectic and exotic four-wheelers, even without foreign collaboration.
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