Hawtal Whiting Supports GM's Design Center Summer Intern Program
17 August 2000
Auto Industry Benefits From Young Talent
TROY, Mich. - August 2000 marks the fourth year Hawtal Whiting has successfully hosted the GM Design Center Summer Intern Program at its Sterling Heights facility.The innovative and interactive, GM-managed, hands-on program provided 30 college interns an opportunity to work in a true automotive design studio environment. The students represent educational institutions from the USA, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Korea.
In addition to creating a customized, secure environment with the tools and equipment required in a genuine automotive design studio, Hawtal Whiting provided five mentors and model shop personnel who worked closely with the interns. The students benefit by experiencing the complete design process in a secure, customized environment.
The students began their efforts by brainstorming research data and future trends to streamline and focus their efforts. They were then divided into six teams representing GM's Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac, GMC and Saturn product lines to design a concept vehicle from the customers' needs as determined by their research.
GM's unique program brings students together from each discipline to focus on the complete process used to develop vehicle concepts. This year, in addition to a student designer and sculptor, teams featured an interior and exterior engineer which gave the students the opportunity to create a 1/3 scale exterior clay model and a corresponding foam core interior model. This new aspect provided a broader base for the hands-on experience imparted to the students. The teams also included student graphics designers utilizing Alias software to create design sketches (a new aspect to the program scope) a color and trim designer, and studio manager.
The 13-week program is coordinated by the GM Design Center resource management who identify the top design talent from around the world and provide them an opportunity to experience the joy of bringing their creativity to life in an industrial team environment. Hawtal Whiting is privileged to play a role in this nurturing endeavor with GM. Many of the students said they had not considered a career in the automotive industry until their participation in the program.
The students' designs will be showcased at the GM Design Center with presentations given to the Design Center leadership and faculty for future production consideration.
Hawtal Whiting is a GM preferred supplier.
