Design Lab: Part 2 – Pimp My Car (again)

Gangsta rower?

When designing and wearing jewelry, I like to go with selected statement pieces.  Same seems to be true with graphic design work, or even interior decoration. One big bold piece with lot of negative space keeps it clear and simple. However, when I mean bold, I really mean bold. So, no wonder I ended up experimenting with  a statement bumper sticker.

Although I try to keep my bumper stickers to bare minimum, I enjoy reading them. Sometimes political,  often funny and occasionally outrageously obnoxious, they reflect car owner’s personality and provide infinite entertainment on long car rides.  But really, are these people being paid for advertising ski resorts or local coffee shops? I think your car (and bumper) should remain the free zone for expressing yourself, not promoting some random business.

If it wasn’t clear to everyone who’s reading my blog, I row. I row competitively. I love rowing. Rowing is now build into my core with such force that being out of the water for longer than a day causes physical withdrawal symptoms. One big bold statement word on my bumper should naturally be ROW.

The bold statement sticker (or in my case, magnet) should of course be in-your-face, metallic and 3D.  I modeled it with Rhino and got it printed in strong nylon. After adding the magnets and giving it many (many, many) coats of spray paint, it was done. The material turned out to be rather porous and the final color wasn’t as chrome-like as I would have liked. The next step will be to experiment with different materials to achieve better finish.

PS:  Adding a little bit of gangsta bling to my preferred sleek European car definitely appeals to my screwed sense of humor that I so proudly nurse and cultivate.