by "Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
Published 06/19/2017 at 09:40
by "Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
Published 06/19/2017 at 09:40
Tags: Hyundai
STARS: 0
Back in 2013 the above sketches (and more) were created by AJ Merk depicting a future Hyundai Coupe . Four years later (late April 2017) Hyundai accidently revealed a picture of someone working on a clay model sportscar during a cheesy video. That original video has been removed.
In my eyes, it’s the same car from AJ Merk’s 2013 sketches. The differences amount to the model incorporating proportions and some cues from the HND-9 “Venace” Concept Coupe which was shown back in 2013.
Now here’s where I’m having an issue. AJ Merk (the designer of that 2013 i80 Coupe design) doesn’t appear to have any relation to Hyundai . Currently he works for FCA, but when I look at the the new Hyundai Grandeur (Azera) it sure does remind me of AJ Merk’s tail light design.
Im just saying that it looks (to me) as if Hyundai is building off of AJ Merk’s 2013 sketches but he doesnt appear to be on the payroll. Im seeing commitment to a design but none to the designer.
I just want to know if AJ Merk knows that his work is coming across in Hyundai projects that are already in motion. Ive been speculating that there wont be a Stinger 2-door because the G70 is a better sports sedan, and there wont be a G70 Coupe because Hyundai (with N brand) needs a halo. That halo is really looking to be his.
If something is happening that should or shouldnt be then it needs to be addressed.
Transparency is all I request, Hyundai.
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
06/19/2017 at 09:46, STARS: 2
If those sketches were made while he was employed at Hyundai, wouldn’t they be property of the company? If so, I’d imagine that they are free to use them as they see fit even after he left the company.
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
06/19/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 0
That’s why I bring it up, he doesn’t seem to have ever had an attachment to Hyundai. I’m hoping someone can track down the connection.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
06/19/2017 at 09:54, STARS: 1
Not totally related, but remember when Ford brought out its current corporate grill shape? I was trademarked afaicr, yet almost immediately both Subaru and Hyundai were using something very similar...
I don’t know how it can really be enforced, since you can’t claim to have invented a shape. And anyway Ford doesn’t really seem to stick to it too well themselves. Still kinda funny.
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
06/19/2017 at 10:06, STARS: 0
Ah, my mistake. I assumed that when he made the original sketch he was working for them, because I don’t know why someone would sketch future Hyundais unless they were being paid by Hyundai to do so.
"Chinny Raccoon" (chinnyraccoon)
06/19/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 0
It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s concept stylings have turned up elsewhere- Citroen CX/GS for example.
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
06/19/2017 at 10:09, STARS: 3
Actually if you delete the body color bumper bar you’ll notice everyone is using the same one piece hexagon.
So Lexus decides to push the two outside points inwards instead and everyone blasts them for it.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
06/19/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 0
More or less, yeah... I just found it funny that most of this happened after Ford tried to “put a ring on it”.
I’m not a fan of the predator grille, but then I’m not a fan of Lexus in general. I do think the pre-predator versions of all the current models looked better, but meh...
"B/Xmrrmvr" (davidedumass)
06/19/2017 at 10:39, STARS: 1
But Ford’s corporate grille is just a shameless rip-off of Aston Martin’s.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
06/19/2017 at 10:43, STARS: 0
Well, Ford did own Aston for a bit and probably saved the company, so I’ll give them a pass... but yeah.
Like I said to Wobbles I just found it funny that this mainly blew up industry-wide after Ford tried to “put a ring on it” and keep it for themselves.
"B/Xmrrmvr" (davidedumass)
06/19/2017 at 11:21, STARS: 0
Looks like his Behance profile has his email address if someone wants to do some digging.
"B/Xmrrmvr" (davidedumass)
06/19/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 0
IIRC Audi was the first to do this when they started doing the one-piece trapezoidal grille in the 2000s. Makes me wonder how much Peter Schreyer influenced that design before he moved to Kia.
"Over_Critical" (over-critical)
12/24/2017 at 00:51, STARS: 1
Hey just stumbled upon this now! funny to see this, actually a portfolio project I did a while back. In the automotive design world a portfolio of work always accompanies our resume and in some cases is more potent, so we come up with concepts and projects to show how we might approach a project at future job.
side note, was not employed by Hyundai at the time of creation ;)
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
12/24/2017 at 08:53, STARS: 0
I’m very happy to hear from you and I seriously love your designs!
Even though I’m speculating quite a bit here, I’m also pretty accurate with market assessments from my arm chair. I wanted to make sure a post existed well in advance of anything even being teased or rumored in case there were any issues with intellectual property down the road. You never know! Creative works deserve credit and compensation, always .