Car Designer Ralph Gilles Talks Race, Inspiration And Legacy (Part Two) --- Rewind Interview

Designer Ralph Gilles and Actor Terrence Howard

Here's part two of our interview with the current vice president of design for the Chrysler Group, Ralph Gilles, as he talks about race, inspiration and legacy. This interview was conducted with him in 2006, shortly after the gangster-like Chrysler 300 hit the scene. To view part-one of our interview click here.

J. What are you current vehicle projects? Are there any projects forthcoming with your sister division, Mercedes?

RG: I was recently promoted to vice president of the Jeep, truck and components studio, meaning I work with the design teams that create those vehicles, as well as the components (radios, vents, AC) that are in those and others. I can’t discuss future projects in any of those areas for competitive reasons, but I can say it’s very exciting to work in areas that have been so critical historically with our company’s success. Jeep is an icon; the Ram trucks, Durangos and Nitros are part of a change in how trucks are used and perceived. It’s a very exciting time. As to Mercedes, we throw ideals between brands back and forth, but we are very aware that brands must stay separated and pure. My primary work is always the Chrysler Group – Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler products.

J: Is there anything in particular that helps to influence you when you’re in the design studio: culture, music, video games, politics or sports?

RG: To a designer, you are a sponge of influence. You absorb everything from buildings to furniture to fashion to products. I’m a huge reader of all types of magazines, and you look at the ads, the products and use that – whether you do it knowing you are doing it or not!  -- to apply it to your work. We are constantly learning and constantly improving.

J: Like Tiger Woods has done for golf, you have exposed minorities to another field in the automotive industry.  With that said, what would you suggest to minorities that are interested in designing vehicles for a major automaker?

RG: Honestly, my advice first is that there are no such things as barriers. I thought there would be when I first started, but there really aren’t. If anything, your color makes you that much more noticeable. It can be to your advantage in some way. And of course, identifying the right design school. There are four or five design schools across the U. S. that have an automotive design program. The Chrysler Group recruits from several of these schools each year.

J: When people of color realize that you were responsible for shaping the design of the 300, can you think of any memorable comment or reaction you would like to share with all of your readers?

RG: Wow, I’ve had several great moments where I’ve had to pinch myself. However, one of those first moments was when I met Matt Fraizer, a young high school student from New Jersey. Matt and his parents arranged to meet me during a break while I was working on another project in New York. On the streets of New York, he showed me his portfolio; we talked about the car designs and his future. It was awesome to see this young brother so serious and excited about car design. It reminded me so much of myself at that age. At the same time, it was very humbling and overwhelming to be in that moment because his eyes looked up to me like a hero. It was unforgettable!

J: When it all said and done, what legacy would you like to leave the automotive industry? And in life?

RG: For me personally, as a designer, hopefully a handful of cars that are household names and permanent punctuation of popular culture. Like the PT Cruiser, Viper, Wrangler, Ram, minivan and the 300 … I would like to help Chrysler be truly a world renowned product supplier. I want every designer or “wanna-be” designer to want to work for us!  Also, to be the best father and husband I can be and to be a positive role model for designers of all colors and cultures. I just want to make a positive difference with my team members.

J. Thanks Ralph, We know you have a bright future ahead of you.

There are very few minorities in the field of automotive design today. An article that appeared in The Detroit News on March 12, 2006, revealed that the major design schools are producing literally only a handful of minorities. Thus, this means that the major automakers are having difficulty diversifying their design studio teams. The NACCP, actor Terrence Howard, Gilles and DaimlerChrysler, the Chrysler division parent company, partnered together to design a Jeep Commander with an urban flair.

The vehicle was auctioned on eBay. All of the proceeds from the sale went toward creating a scholarship fund at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit – Gilles’ alma mater and where he teaches part-time – to benefit minority students and to encourage this group to study automotive design. In case you didn’t know, the average first year automotive designer can start out making $60,000 annually.