Power and Elegance
Last year, Glen Durmisevich, the Theme Director of Design for the EyesOn Design, reintroduced The Art of Design, a special display spanning the early 1930s through the 1990s that celebrated original hand-drawn automotive design artwork. The exhibit recognized the talented designers whose sketches and renderings established the themes and ultimately influenced the production and concept automobiles of their era, both exterior and interior.
This year’s EyesOn Design theme,”Power and Elegance,” continued that tradition. Many of the sketches displayed in The Art of Design were created in General Motors and Ford design studios from the 1960s through the 1990s. Because of its popularity, EyesOn Design at the Ford House plans to continue the exhibit as an ongoing feature, reinforcing its commitment to celebrating the art and history of automotive design.
A unique highlight of this year’s exhibition was the display of two fiberglass scale models designed by Kevin Verduyn, a prolific former Chrysler Chief Designer. Built in 1997 at Chrysler’s Pacifica Advanced Design Studio, the models were created as part of an imaginative presentation planned for Bob Lutz and senior management during a semi-annual design review.
The presentation centered on a fictional discovery: during the demolition of a Detroit Chrysler plant, workers uncover a blueprint hidden inside an old desk. The drawing depicts a 1932 Chrysler concept car supposedly commissioned from the renowned Italian-born French designer Giuseppe Figoni, one of the most influential automotive stylists of the 1930s, celebrated for his elegant, aerodynamic creations. Bob Lutz clearly appreciated the creativity of the presentation, as he graciously signed both models.
The commemorative poster for the 2026 EyesOn Design Car Show features a 1929 Model J Weymann St. Cloud Duesenberg, beautifully rendered in watercolor by Wayne Kady, Cadillac’s longest-serving Chief Designer.
Art of Design Exhibit at EyesOn Design 2026
Bob Munson
Bugatti Royale Concept
Bob Munson has worked at GM Design Center for more than four decades designing many exterior designs for Chevrolet, Saturn, Buick, and Cadillac cars. In that time, the media has evolved from pastels and markers to totally digital. Today, Munson shares his ongoing exploration of car design and AI-assisted rendering on his blog: MunsonCarDesign.com
Camilo Pardo
1. Daytona Pit Stop—Mid-Engine Concept
2. MT 7 Miles—Mid-Engine Concept
Camilo Pardo is a graduate of CCS, Camilo’s career spanned 24 years at Ford Design in advanced and production studios in Dearborn, Michigan; Cologne, Germany; and Ghia in Turin, Italy. He has an independent studio: Designs by Camilo collaborating with Shelby and OVC, CA (Original Venice Crew).
Chris Gamble
1. Buick Concept
2. Oldsmobile Concept
Chris Gamble is a graduate of the Center for Creative Studies, Chris was a Creative Designer at GM Design from 1989–1999, and was a Design Manager from 1999–2023. His experience included work in Advanced Architecture, Components, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, and Truck Studios.
Christos Roustemis
Corvette C8 Z06 GT3.R
Graduating with a BS and MA from Wayne State, Christos’s career spanned 27 years at GM Design, bridging the analog to the digital era. He has spent more than 30 years teaching and mentoring young creatives as a Design Professor at CCS, Wayne State, and countless design outreach programs and workshops. Christos is a motorcycle and outdoors enthusiast, world traveler, connoisseur of speed, noise, and horsepower produced via throaty exhaust notes.
Clark Lincoln
1. Lotus Supercar
2. Pontiac Grand Prix
After graduating from Michigan State University in 1963 with an MA in Industrial Design, Clark Lincoln served in the U.S. Army for four years, including a tour in Vietnam. His career spanned 32 years at GM Design working in Interior and Exterior studios. After Chevrolet and Advanced 1 studios, Clark was promoted to Assistant Chief Designer in Pontiac Exterior studio. He became Chief Designer in Advanced 2 where this sketch was done and finally Truck studio where he led the all new full-size pickup truck program until retiring in 2001.
Dick Ruzzin
1967 Pontiac Concept
Dick Ruzzin worked for General Motors Design Staff for 40 years, on over 140 car design programs. His career included being Chief Designer for Chevrolet Two Studio, Cadillac Studio, Director of Design for General Motors of Europe, and Director of Design for Chevrolet Cars in North America. Dick is also the author of two automotive books: Bella Mangusta and Designing Dreams.
Garen Nicoghosian
Ford GT Concepts
“I am a lifelong enthusiast of automobiles, racing, art and design. After earning a transportation design degree from the Art Center College of Design, I joined Ford Motor Company, working on the Mustang, Ford, Lincoln, and specialty vehicles. As a design manager, I led projects including the 2013 NASCAR Fusion, Ford Performance branding, and the 2017 Ford GT. In 2018 I joined Multimatic to create an in-house design studio, contributing to the Ford GT Mk ll and Mk lV programs.“
Glen Durmisevich
1995 Aurora Rendering
A graduate of Center for Creative Studies, Glen Durmisevich’s career at GM Design spanned 32 years. He worked in advanced and production studios; exteriors, and Interiors for Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Mid-size Trucks.
John Mack
1. 1992 Pontiac Firebird
2. 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
3. Ferrari 250 GT SWB
A graduate of CCS, John’s career spanned 38 years at GM Design creating concept and production car designs for Pontiac, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC. He contributed to many notable vehicle designs, including the 2020 GMC Hummer EV, 2019 Chevy Camaro RS, SS, 2013 Cadillac ELR, 2002 Pontiac Vibe, 2000 Pontiac Piranha Concept, 2000 Pontiac Bonneville, 1992 California Stingray 3 concept, 1992 Pontiac Firebird, 1989 Chevy IROC Z concept, and the 1987 Chevy Express concept.
John Perkins
1. 1969 Chevelle
2. 1971 Chevelle SS
A General Motors Institute graduate, John Perkins had a 40 year career at GM Design Staff where he advanced to the role of Chief Designer. He contributed to the designs of the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, Cadillac Eldorado, Pontiac GTO, Pontiac Firebird, Chevy Chevelle, Buick Riviera, Olds Cutlass Supreme coupe, Olds Aurora, and Advanced Design Buick-Holden. John’s sketch was published in Automotive Industries magazine.
Kuni Ito
1. 2023 Sport Car Concept
2. 2022 Corvette Concept
Kuni graduated from the ArtCenter College of Design In 1977, and his career at GM Design and Opel. After returning to Tokyo, Japan, he designed the Jiotto Caspita (Japan’s first supercar) in 1988. He later returned to the US to work for Ford Motor Company and Nissan Design America, while also teaching car design at the College for Creative Studies until his retirement in 2021.
Tom Peters
1. Camaro Z28 Concept
2. Pontiac Off Road Concept
A lifetime passion for cars and design fuels Tom’s creativity. A graduate from the Art Center College of Design, Tom was inspired by car culture, Big Daddy Ed Roth, music, and aircraft. Peters spent his 40-year career at GM Design designing numerous concept, production and specialty vehicles, plus mentoring hundreds of designers. Some of his more notable projects include the fifth and sixth generation Camaro, full size trucks and SUVs, and fifth through eighth generation Corvettes.
William Michalak
1. 1972 Pontiac Sports Concept
2. Oldsmobile 442 Hurst Olds Package
A graduate of Pratt Institute, William “Bill” Michalak’s career at GM Design Staff was from 1966-2001. He contributed to the styling of the Olds 442, Oldsmobile Toronado, Pontiac Grand Am, Chevrolet Caprice, and Chevrolet Monte Carlo. William also worked on the EV-1, Saturn, Chevy S-10 and M-Vans, Pontiac Kammback in Truck 2, plus La Crosse and Bengal in Buick Studio. He has been a member of the League of Retired Automotive Designers since its formation. Ten of William’s renderings from GM Design Staff are in the permanent collection of The Detroit Institute of Arts.
Wayne Kady
1. 1929 Model J Weymann St. Cloud Duesenberg
2. 1967 Cadillac Eldorado Concept
An honors graduate of the Art Center College of Design, Wayne Kady’s 38-year career was divided between Cadillac and Buick exterior studios. He began as a designer working on the 1965 Cadillac Deville, Fleetwood, and Eldorado. He became Chief Designer in 1968 working on the 1971Eldorado. After two years as Chief Designer in Buick studio, Wayne was back to Cadillac, managing the creation of every production Cadillac except the Allante. He returned to Buick 2, overseeing the Skylark, Century, Regal and Roadmaster before retiring in 1999. As Cadillac’s longest serving Chief Designer, Wayne was instrumental in defining American Luxury.
Kevin Verduyn Models
Kevin Verduyn grew up in Michigan, moved to California, and graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. A car enthusiast, pilot, and master woodworker, he began his career with Opel in Germany before spending 26 years at Chrysler’s Pacifica Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad, California. He led the design of the Plymouth Prowler and contributed to the Chrysler Lugano, Lamborghini Portofino, Dodge Razor, LH Sedan, and over two dozen production and concept vehicles.
Cars on display at EyesOn Design 2026
NewCarNews.TV
What a great presentation here on Deansgarage.com. Wonderful design work that displays not only the individual designers passion for car design, but also for that of presenting each designers art.
A great addition to EyesOn Design, this presentation included some of the best work that I have ever seen. The concept has long legs and many possibilities that we can look forward to throughout the years.