Imagining the Future, One Sketch at a Time

As I sit at my desk, the familiar smell of freshly sharpened pencils and the sound of the electric eraser buzzing lull me into a state of creative bliss. This is where the magic happens – where I translate the vision of the future into tangible automotive designs. My name is Gio, and I’m the program design director at Nissan, the mastermind behind the recently unveiled Ariya Concept.

The Ariya Concept is more than just a car – it’s a complete reinvention of Nissan’s design language, embodying the company’s Intelligent Mobility vision. This crossover EV represents a future where electrification and vehicle intelligence will offer seamless and adaptive travel experiences, free of accidents or harmful emissions. As I reflect on the journey that brought this concept to life, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride and excitement for what’s to come.

Sketching the Symphony of the Future

It all started with a simple pen and paper. Drawing has always been the foundation of my design process – it’s the language I use to capture my daydreams and translate them into reality. Whether I’m sketching on a notepad or drafting digitally, the act of putting pencil to paper allows me to explore and refine my ideas. It’s a symphony of shapes, lines, and proportions that I conductor, carefully crafting each element to create a harmonious whole.

But designing a car is no easy feat. It’s not just about creating a visually stunning exterior; it’s about understanding the needs and desires of the customer, blending form with function, and integrating the latest technology. That’s why my team and I work closely with experts from various departments, including engineering, product planning, and marketing, to ensure that every aspect of the Ariya Concept is meticulously considered.

As Giovanny Arroba, the program design director, explained, “The Ariya Concept is the first visual, the first window into the tech that Nissan will embody. I am extremely proud and happy, and I feel we hit the mark with the design and style.”

Orchestrating a Global Collaboration

Designing a car is like conducting a symphony – each member of the team, with their unique cultural backgrounds and artistic passions, plays a different instrument. It’s my job to bring these diverse voices together, blending their individual notes into a harmonious whole.

“The design team coming together from all around the world is like an orchestra and sometimes a session jazz band,” Arroba explains. “We all play different instruments and bring to the music our own depths of artistic passion and inspirations. Together, we develop and combine our numerous layers of notes to compose our symphony.”

This global collaboration is what makes the Ariya Concept so unique. By drawing on the expertise and perspectives of designers from around the world, we were able to create a concept that truly reflects Nissan’s vision for the future of mobility.

Balancing Analog and Digital

In a world that’s increasingly digital, it might seem surprising that I still start my design process with a good old-fashioned pen and paper. But for me, there’s something magical about the analog approach that I just can’t replicate on a computer screen.

“For me, when daydreaming and visualizing new ideas or concepts, a sketchpad and pen are always the simplest way to record and communicate ideas,” Arroba says. “Drawing on paper or digitally is the language we use to sketch our ideas out as a first step.”

Once we’ve agreed on a direction, we then move on to more advanced tools, like clay modeling and virtual reality. These technologies allow us to refine our designs, confirm our ideas, and bring them to life in a way that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago.

Pushing the Boundaries of Automotive Design

As I look back on my journey in the automotive design industry, I can’t help but be in awe of how far the field has come. When I first joined Nissan, the company’s design oasis in San Diego was the perfect place for a young designer like me to explore and create without the constraints of an existing formula.

“At the time, the environment was an ideal place for a designer to create something new without the heavy baggage of an existing formula,” Arroba recalls. “So starting then to now, I’ve had the chance to influence and shape the form language of the brand.”

And now, with the Ariya Concept, I feel like I’m pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in automotive design. This isn’t just a car – it’s a statement about Nissan’s commitment to the future of mobility, a vision that seamlessly blends electrification, autonomous technology, and cutting-edge design.

Just as Axon is revolutionizing the ambulance with its futuristic designs, Nissan is doing the same for the automotive industry with the Ariya Concept. It’s a testament to the power of imagination and the belief that the future is ours to create.

Bringing the Dream to Life

As I sit back and admire the Ariya Concept, I can’t help but wonder where I would like to take it for its first spin. The open roads of California’s Pacific Coast Highway, with the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean as my backdrop, immediately come to mind. Carving through the winding curves, with the sound of Kamasi Washington’s “Street Fighter Mas” filling the cabin, would be a surreal experience.

Or perhaps I’d opt for a more European adventure, cruising through the scenic landscapes of Spain and Portugal or exploring the rugged beauty of Scotland’s west coast and the Isle of Skye. The Ariya Concept would be the perfect companion for such a journey, its futuristic design and advanced technology seamlessly blending with the timeless beauty of the natural world.

No matter where I choose to drive it, one thing is certain: the Ariya Concept will be the perfect canvas for my musical inspirations. From the orchestral electronica of Kiasmos to the soulful grooves of DJ Rogers, the soundtrack of my Ariya Concept adventure will be a reflection of my eclectic tastes and the mood of the moment.

Designing the Future, One Concept at a Time

As I reflect on the journey that led to the creation of the Ariya Concept, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude. The countless hours spent sketching, sculpting, and refining the design, the collaboration with experts from across Nissan, and the unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – it all comes together in this stunning concept car.

But this is just the beginning. As Arroba says, “I think people don’t realize how many designers it takes or how diverse the expertise that’s required to design a car. There are many complexities as it is not a static product but an integral part of an owner’s life. We must ensure we give it personality that reflects its function and provides an overall lasting experience.”

And that’s exactly what Nissan is doing with the Ariya Concept and its future lineup of vehicles. By blending cutting-edge technology, sustainable mobility, and captivating design, the company is reinventing the automotive experience, one concept at a time.

So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some more sketching to do. The future of mobility is calling, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll create next. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to take the Ariya Concept for a spin on Nissan’s website. The possibilities are endless, and the journey has only just begun.