It is difficult for a 26-year-old young car designer to have his products running on the city's streets, but Guo Zhiyuan still believes he will.
"Automotive design is a daunting job, which ranks at the top of all design work. It needs knowledge of mathematics, physics, structures and biology. Besides, you need patience. It takes at least three to five years for a draft to become reality," the young man says.
But he still loves it.
Graduating from Beijing Information Science and Technology University in 2006, Guo says he has had an interest in cars since he was a child.
His first interview was with Beijing-based CH-Auto Technology Corporation, but he was rejected, as his major was industrial design. The company's design director thought that it would be difficult for him to switch.
"Many ideas can be realized in interior, fashion and industrial design, but they cannot be used in automotive designs. With a car, you have to consider the doors, the lights and the shape of the exterior," Guo says.
A year later, he had another interview with CH-Auto, this time he came armed with more striking drafts. He was admitted.
Guo's personal experience reveals the difficult situation the country's automotive designers face. It was only after 2005 that the first group of students majoring in vehicle design graduated from universities. Prior to that, most car designers were industrial design majors.
Guo started by designing small details, like the headlights and mirrors. His creations include a door that can be opened in every direction, two rear-view mirrors that are connected together, and headlights that are inspired by ocean creatures he saw in the documentary Deep Blue.
One of his major responsibilities was to collect the latest international car designs. He had to keep an eye on the Art Center College of Design's websites, and the Japanese magazine Car Styling.
Then an experienced designer taught him the whole-car design process. In order to practice his basic skills, Guo painted 30 drafts everyday.
"Most of the young designers are doing daily routine work, including collecting the latest information, drawing drafts and brainstorming with more experienced workers."
In 2009, he was chosen to lead an eight-person team to develop a new car. To his surprise, his team members were all young people aged between 20 and 30.
"Maybe the company wanted to see what we could achieve. Young designers, though not that experienced, are often creative, energetic, and with a lot of passion," he says.
The group did not disappoint the company. Guo and his team developed a concept car utilizing the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang.
Exhibited at the Beijing International Auto Show 2010, the concept car was a hit with its "balanced and harmonious" combination of Chinese elements
"What are the so-called Chinese elements? Are they just jade-like patterns printed on the cars? There are so many things which we can call Chinese elements, but I believe, a good Chinese car design should contain a typical oriental philosophy," Guo says.
Realizing green cars are the future, Guo joined a new company founded by Beijing Auto Works in March, which specializes in producing new-energy cars.
Guo says the company intends to produce a small number of new-energy cars that will be introduced to the market in 2014 to 2015.
The company was founded at the end of last year, and Guo believes it has good prospects, as the country is eager to promote eco-friendly cars.
"Western countries are experienced in creating and designing traditional automobiles powered by oil. But new-energy cars, whether powered by electricity or hybrid, are in their infancy. In this industry, China has the chance to catch up with Western countries," Guo says.
The new-energy car designs also provide more opportunities for the young designer.
Guo is busier than ever since he changed his job. When he was working in CH-Auto, he considered only the design, but now he has to make sure those designs can be realized.
He not only needs design skills, he also has to negotiate with staff from other departments, make sure the plans are kept secret, and keep an eye on the industry's latest trends.
Believing automotive design is an art, the young man plays the violin at his spare time.
"Music and art are connected. I always find inspirations in melodies."
