Freeman Thomas
A couple of years ago after walking the Cars & Coffee gathering held at his Ford design studio in Irvine, I sat down with Freeman Thomas, head of advanced design at Ford Motor Company. Freeman and I knew each other years ago, but had not had much contact in recent years. Though drawing anything more complex than a straight line is beyond my abilities, I am fascinated with automotive design, in particular now that contemporary software tools so closely integrate design and engineering. if engineering and design and not coupled at the hip, the end product is compromised.
Here is a link to the first of a four-part interview with Freeman, which you can also find on the podcast page listed to the right. Though many of the cars we’re discussing are now old hat, some of them even on the road as production cars, the discussion should be enjoyable and informative for anyone curious about the tools and processes employed in the development of cars. To help you follow along, here are a links to Bunkspeed and Alias. And this related link.
I’m certain you’ll find Freeman one of the most astute and insightful commentators in the field of industrial design. He is a ball of creative energy, and his mind burns just as hot now as it did when I first met him 22 years ago. I’ve seen Freeman several times since we sat down to record these podcasts, and I can think of a half-dozen other topics he could cover as well or better than anyone else in the business. Freeman has evolved perfectly into his dual role as designer, and mentor-manager of young designers.
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