Chris Bangle Gets Vindication

Matt Mar 1st, 2006 Link

It doesn’t surprise me that Chris Bangle likes to compare his work to that of Frank Gehry and the designers at Nokia, who are more interested in “pushing the envelope” than actually making something good.

It also doesn’t surprise me that aspects of Bangle’s designs have become popular amongst automotive designers. Aggresive, angry-looking cars are the order of the day. Bangle has just come up with a new way of doing it in a stagnant field.

But I think the article gives Bangle too much credit. It should really go to the designers at Pontiac, whose work was clearly the inspiration for the current BMW look.

Giacomo Mar 1st, 2006 Link

I was thinking you two could take this show on the road.

Gabe Mar 1st, 2006 Link

Matt your not seeing the forest for the trees here. This isn’t about angry-looking cars. This is about creating tension and being more true to the materials that make up the body of the car as well as to the purpose of the machine.

To attach human emotions to the front of a machine and then discuss the meaning of that expression is a very different conversation and frankly one that I don’t think falls in the same category as what is discussed above.

To put it another way, the design idealogy of Chris Bange and Adrian Hooydonk (designer of the 7 and 6) really is much more broad than just creating agressive cars. The aggressive shape of so many cars is as much a consequence of aero concerns and pedestrian safety laws as it is a designers dreams.

Matt Mar 3rd, 2006 Link

I understand what you’re saying. I don’t really have a problem with Bangle’s ideology or that other designers are adopting it. My problem is that the real-world manifestation of those ideas has resulted in some rather ugly cars. In the hands of a designer with more taste than Bangle, I’m sure that these ideas will eventually produce something stunning.

Matt Mar 3rd, 2006 Link

I meant “better taste” rather than “more taste”.

Robert Ballard Mar 20th, 2006 Link

What’s wrong with Gehry’s work? Have you ever seen his work in person? I have, Disney Center, Bilbao, AMAZING. I wonder if you like Antoni Gaudi?

People don’t come to him [Gehry] for Bauhaus boxes or mini malls! They expect more and get more than the “NORM.”

I once was up for a job at his LA office, didn’t get it, but they gave me a sweet tour. WOW!

Pontiac…..HUH!? In 2003 the Grand Prix was still a Ameroblob and, IMHO, still is junk. In 2004 the GP was still a blob and the only detail I can see that is even close to the ‘04 5 series new look would have been the hood lines…??? Maybe.

If any car was the forerunner of the aggressive look it would by the 2003 Cadillac CTS. It was a full year before the 2004 5 series and way before the “Aggressive”, as you call it, 3 series.

The CTS, 3 & 5 series my not be my taste either but at least they are distinctive and I can only applaud that.

Maybe a good book for you would be Guerilla Marketing by Jay Levinson.

LOL….RB

John Teeter Jul 28th, 2006 Link

I have no problem - on balance - with Chris, my brother’s former roommate when both were at Art Center and, like my brother, a v. nice individual.
Whether or not one likes the final execution of a given design, the architecture, it’s hardly ever if at all of one individual’s hand solely. Instead, a team who ultimately serve a penultimate board deciding which prototype to go with. They make the sign of the cross and pray that their choice merits the greatest public enthusiasm.

BMW will continue to be (I trust) a leading edge company in the years and decades to come with or withour Chris. While not all of their motor vehicle visual design is always perfect (whatever is?), it’s safe to say that when it comes to the visuals, they are not lacking.

For what it’s worth, many times with at least German design I find myself having to “catch-up”, as it were to their vision and forward thinking. The 318 was iconic but can you imagine if it never changed?

Chris Oct 19th, 2006 Link

Bangle’s car design philosophy is a good parallel to Gehry’s architecture. Occasional flashes of brilliance with some good angles gained by sacrificing others, but mostly overreaching while ignoring any inspiration from the surrounding landscape. In Bangle’s case the landscape is 30 years of elegant, subtle design from the likes of Albrecht Goertz, Paul Bracq and Bertone. It’s no wonder his leash has been shortened.