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| Ralph Gilles at the Chicago Auto Show with the editor, Jeff Fortson |
Title: President and CEO of SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design
Age: 44
School: College for Creative Studies in Detroit
Career Highlight: When Chrysler was bleeding red, with a $637 million loss in 2003, Gilles' design influence helped put the company back in the black. The company posted a $1.9 billion profit in 2004.
Car Career Highlights: Gilles was responsible for putting swag in big cars again with vehicles like the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Charger and the Dodge Magnum.
What Inspires Gilles' Designs: "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."
Most Memorable Moment As A Minority Designer: "Wow I have had several great moments where I've had to pinch myself. However, one of those first moments was when I met Matt Frazier, 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 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 the age. At the same time, it was humbling and overwhelming to be in that moment because his eyes looked up to me like a hero. It was unforgettable."
Advice For Minorities Yearning To Be A Car Designer: "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 or transportation design program. Chrysler recruits from several of these schools each year."
* The quotes were taken from a 2006 interview the editor conducted with Gilles for Tom Joyner's website, BlackAmericaweb.com.
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