Stewart Reed is Chair of the world-renowned Transportation Design Department at Art Center College of Design. He enjoys working with a globally representative student group. His firm, Stewart Reed Design, consults, designs and fabricates industrial and transportation design concepts for manufacturers around the world.
In his youth, Reed won design scholarships from General Motors/Fisher Body Craftsmans Guild. After graduating from Art Center with honors, he joined Bruce Meyers, originator of the dune-buggy, and designed the Manx SR. A few years later, he transitioned from Jeep to Chrysler Advanced Design, where he introduced the mini-van concept, (a new market category at the time), and a military vehicle. Nine years later, he joined Toyota’s U.S. studio, Calty Design, as chief designer in 1980, where he brought a four-passenger, solar paneled, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, adjustable suspension, 4-place sports car called the FXV to the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show. In 1986 he joined Prince Corporation, (now Johnson Controls), as Vice President of Design and built their team and the “Tech Center” for automotive interior systems R&D, where he also developed design tools, resources and practices to advance interior vehicle design, which are used at Art Center today.
Reed has designed and fabricated over 20 concept vehicles throughout his career, and in 1994 established Stewart Reed Design, consulting for clients like Michelin, Icon Aircraft, Asian automobile mfrs and defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin. He maintains activity in advanced design concepts, spanning from GT high-end/performance-luxury to off-road and transforming vehicles. SRD’s SoCal studio has patents underway and works to find solutions for industry and mobility in general.
Notable projects include Michelin Challenge Design, with annual themes such as safety and alternative powertrains, a full-scale tactical wheeled vehicle concept, a think tank and other design support for Lockheed, an innovative suv-van hybrid concept called the Gearbox for Mobility Outfitters, and the Cunningham C7 luxury concept vehicle designed for Bob Lutz and Briggs Cunningham. SRD is now working on its 6th and 7th vehicles for peacekeeping functions, coachworks design for an historically significant Bugatti, and design support for Asian auto manufacturers. SRD is also supporting alternative energy and ATTI (Advanced Transportation Technology Industry), working with CALSTART.
Stewart enjoys judging concours and other design-oriented events including Amelia Island Concours, Bay Harbor, Eyes on Design, Cranbrook, Meadowbrook, Irvine Concours D’Elegance, Los Angeles Concours, Louis Vuitton Concept Competition in Paris, the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance, and others.
|
