Design Director at Sean Smith Designs

Sean Smith

Los Angeles, CA

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About

Sean Smith Designs is a creative studio specializing in the bespoke automotive industry as well as working directly with brands, builders and components that constantly help to push and innovate the wants and needs of this unique field.

With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Sean Smith Designs has always aimed to create the most polarizing and stunning designs that captivate its audience and the industry.Working with such clients as Saleen Automotive, Rockstar Games, Ringbrothers and Speedkore, SSD has brought to life some of the industry’s most groundbreaking and inventive projects. A passion for eye-catching detail and creating functional yet spectacular designs is evident in everything we do. From thumbnail ideation, 3D design to finished award-winning builds, we help curate the creative process from beginning to end. Diversity in the design process along with first-hand insight into this industry has given us the possibilities to create some of the most remarkable and memorable designs for the entertainment, automotive, and power sports industries
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS) Transportation Design/ Industrial Design
  
  Art Center College of Design
  
  1999 - 2004
Experience
- Design Director/Owner
  
  Sean Smith Designs
  
  Los Angeles, CA
  
  Aug 2017 - Present (8 years 10 months)
  
  • Worked for Saleen as contract designer on production and concept programs
  
  • Designed projects for Speedkore Automotive and OEM’s for the 2018 SEMA show
  
  • Designed and worked on multiple branding and trades show projects for Saleen
  
  • Worked on multiple automotive projects for SEMA and Aftermarket industry
- Design Director
  
  Speedkore Automotive
  
  Milwaukee, WI
  
  Aug 2015 - Jul 2017 (1 year 11 months)
  
  • Designed and project managed Tantrum Charger for SEMA 2015
  
  • Initiated design of 2016 Ford Mustang for SEMA 2016 and production
  
  • Responsible for 2016 Carbon Hellcat design and working with FCA
  
  • Also designed 2018 Carbon Fiber Demon for SEMA 2017
  
  • Worked with Engineering,marketing and sales on Speedkore parts line
  
  •Learned production design methods for designing auto claved composite parts
- Director of Design
  
  Saleen
  
  Corona, CA
  
  Nov 2012 - Jun 2015 (2 years 7 months)
  
  • Designer current 2018 Saleen Mustang
  
  • Designer for 2015 Saleen Tesla
  
  • Responsible for design on 2013 George Follmer Mustang
  
  • Also designer on 2014 Saleen Camaro and Saleen Challenger
  
  • Responsible for overseeing team of designers and modelers and directly working with Engineering and marketing teams.
  
  • Reported and worked directly with CEO and board
- Director
  
  Ring Brothers
  
  Spring Green, WI
  
  Dec 2004 - Nov 2012 (7 years 11 months)
  
  Automotive designer and creative brand manager for Ring Brothers cars and product line
- Brand Manager
  
  Jada Toys
  
  Nov 2010 - Jun 2011 (7 months)
  
  Conceptualized and created the brand LoPro for Jadas diecast department. From Concept to the shelf I worked with teams of Design, Packaging and Marketing to deliver a new direction for Jada and the diecast market
- Concept artist
  
  Rockstar Games
  
  Jul 2006 - Jul 2009 (3 years)
  
  -Concept art Direction for pre production development for Rockstar Games Titles AGENT and Maz Payne 4.
  -Developed both props,characters,environments, and vehicles for these titles.
  -Worked with Art Directors in Rockstar North to assure 2d-3d translation in the concept of the game.
  
  July 2006-August 2008- Vehicle Concept Artist for Rockstar Games, Carlsbad Ca.
  -Worked as a concept artist specializing in vehicle design for Rockstar games title Midnight Club Los Angeles.
  -Oversaw the art direction through 2d sketching and rendering. To communicating with digital
  modelers in Maya and other CAD programs.
  - Also helped bring secondary companies to marketing as well such well for product placement through the game.
- Motorcycle Designer
  
  Honda R&D
  
  Jul 2004 - Jul 2005 (1 year)
  
  2004-2005-Motorcycle Designer, Honda R&d,Torrance, Ca
  -Worked on various production and advanced concept programs.
  -200X Honda Fury concept, Sub project leader on advanced concept, From sketch to full size clay in concept position
  -Worked with outside vendors to create show mockup for design clinic.
  -2008-Secret Bike production, Sub project leader on production project. Worked with team of modelers and engineers in production program. -Design responsibility included working with engineers on Catia,Directing
  a team of modelers on full size clay,
  -Refinement design on bodywork and engine design details. Production slated for 2008.
- intern
  
  Hyundai
  
  Mar 2003 - Aug 2003 (5 months)
  
  worked on show HCD3 car for Detroit Auto Show
- intern designer
  
  Mazda
  
  Jan 2002 - Jun 2002 (5 months)
  
  Worked on advanced concept propsals for concept cars
Awards

Following awards my designs earned working and partnering with various Clients

2018 Goodguys Gold bar award

2017 Ford Design Award "Best in Show"

2017 Ford Design Award

2016 Ford Design Award "Best in Show

2015 Gran Turismo award "Best Domestic"

2012 Ford Design Award

2011 Ford Design Award

2009 Mothers shine Award best of show SEMA

2008 Mothers Shine Award best of show SEMA

2008 Ford Design Award

2007 Ford Design Award

2006 Ford Design Award

2008 Goodguys Street Machine of the year

2007 Goodguys Street Machine of the year

2007 Gran Turismo "Best Muscle Car Award"

2007 Mothers Shine Award

2006 Ford Design Award

2006 Ford Design Award

2006 Street Machine of the Year
Industries
Skills
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On Coroflot

@ssdesign, member since 2010
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Sean Smith

Branded Environments Project Manager

Industrial Designer, Packaging – Lead