Hello I Dave and just joined

[dave]

Hi everybody, I have recently finished my four year degree course in transport design achieving a 2:1 and I am like 20 billion other students now trying to find the holy grail of work! I realize that clay modeling is becoming increasingly harder to get work as technology has developed like 3d printing and milling. What I would like to know is how clay modelers are evolving to stay in the rat race. I currently think I have a good wealth of knowledge in using clay and have an understanding of proportions, but also know how to use software like Alias for CAD modeling also a bit of Solidworks. I also have a good general sketching ability to convey ideas. Can anyone recommend anything I should learn to stay ahead of the game? I have examples of my work on a website called www.Designheat.com feel free to have a look and comment on work, as I can only benefit from your advice.

Anyway off that subject and onto another, any of you see the new batman beings film, well if you have not, you should! That vehicle is a beast, and the story portrays the old batman magazines more so by being more darker a sinister, very much like the first batman with Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton. Also you Brits out there will be glad to know that we made the bat mobile for this film, because the Americans design studios said they could not make the inverted exterior axles work. Give it here we’ll show ya. If you wish to have a look at this majestic beast go to

www2.warnerbros.com/batmanbegins/index.html

Look under pictures enjoy. ;D

[louissa]

just a quick hello. Havent had a chance to see you work yet but will have a look. Any way welcome..

[swede]

Hello Dave, got a bit confused reading your post!
thought you might be a bit crap with the old pens and trying to stay in the auto industry doing clay, so i went in to have a look at your site, and...it's not bad at all, seen a lot worse.
so don' give up that easely and leave the clay to the professionals, because if you think that after a 4 year course in design would get you a "wealth" of knowlege you are gravely mistaken yourself.
A bit harsh maybe but honest, and i think others will agree.

[louissa]

I just Graduated and yes I agree after my automotive design course although I am confident that I can do it. I still need extra experience along the way. Im applyig for internship now to gain experience. I deff agree that it all comes with practise and you have to have a general eye for it to begin with.

[BillA]

i agree with you son. a wealth of experience comes with 4 years doing clay in may be 4 different studios, instead of 1 place 4 years.Like my father told me when he left Layland to go contracting he realised he only had 1 years experience,which he did for 15 years.there are many things to learn in many different ways

[dave]

Thx for your reply guys much appreciated. My clay modeling experience is obviously still inexperienced, but agree with Louissa about obtained a good general knowledge. I have been lucky enough to work alongside Ford and Nissan clay modelers, who were very pleasant people to work with. Through doing this we soon found out how little tools the university supplied. When we did not have the clay modelers around with their box of tricks, it took use twice as long if not longer to carve a chamfer or any sort of intricate surface detail. However, they did tech use how to alter and make are own clay tools which was very helpful. So yes, there is still a lot to learn in terms of what new tools are more efficient to use in certain circumstances, but have been creative enough to make tools for certain tasks. So I think my wealth of knowledge under the circumstances has done well, and is now time to move on, weather it be in design or model making.

[louissa]

if you have had eperience with the modelers from nissan ans ford. if i were you Id try get back in there

[dave]

Your not wrong and I am in the process of doing so but i got to finish my model building portfolio first and then will send off to a number of companies. By the way I though I would let you know there are lot of contacts at this link for clay modelers. www.autoclaymodellersworld.com/id26.htm You probably already know it but i thought i would let you know all the same. Good Luck