Young designer wins the ultimate prize

Melbourne, Australia: Promising young Sydney designer Nicolas Hogios has joined Ford Motor Company’s Broadmeadows Design Studio, just six months after winning first prize in a design competition run by Ford and Wheels Magazine.

Hogios, 24, from Earlwood in Sydney, travelled to the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year as Ford’s guest after winning the inaugural 1998 Ford/Wheels Young Designer of the Year Award.

The competition asked students to develop concept sketches for the year 2010 Ford Falcon. Hogios’ appointment means there is every chance he will be able to turn his concepts into reality.

For Hogios, it is a childhood dream come true.

"Since about the age of six, I’ve wanted to work in a studio like this," he said.

Hogios met Ford head designer Scott Strong earlier this year when he toured Ford’s studio as part of his competition prize.

A couple of weeks later he was offered a position in the Ford Design Studio, working on both interior and exterior design.

Hogios said his experience in industrial design had attracted Ford.

"Ford is increasingly looking to designers from non-automotive fields to liven up the mix in the studio. I fitted that category as I’ve worked on a wide range of products, from toys to bikes - everything, including the kitchen sink," he said.

Hogios graduated with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from the University of NSW in 1995 and worked initially in industrial design.

He also has automotive design experience. That work included concept design for leading aftermarket supplier, Roman Autotek, as well as bumper design for Wayne Gardner Racing. He also taught industrial design students at UNSW and was chief designer for Fibremotive, a fledgling aftermarket body styling kit supplier.