Joe Harmon, a graduate of NC State’s Industrial Design program took on an ambitious graduate project by deciding to build a car for his master’s thesis, but not just any car, a wooden supercar. Joe explains his process and motivation for building this 3-year long intensive, labor of love.
Other than your car being made out of wood what makes your car unique?
Pretty much everything about this car is unique, because it has been totally designed and built from the ground up. The tires were the only part on the car that we didn’t either make or heavily modify.
What design objects inspired you while working on this project?
I looked at nature more than design objects when I started working on ideas. Birds of prey were the primary inspiration for the body. Their forms have a look of speed, grace, and athleticism that embodies what a supercar should be.
What is going to happen to the car when you are finished?
Figuring out what to do with the car isn’t at the front of my mind; we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I wouldn’t be totally opposed to selling the car, but we really didn’t have that in mind from the beginning. With the amount we learned from working on the car, it has already served its primary function.
You often worked until well past midnight on a daily basis for over 3 years, what do you plan on doing now that you have so much free time?
First and foremost, I need to find a job in industrial design somewhere. Once I do that, maybe I can slow down a little and work on the car in a more relaxed atmosphere, which would be a lot of fun.
What would your ideal job be?
Assuming that playing shooting guard for the Lakers is pretty much out, designing concept cars for one of the big three would be up there. Given the current state of affairs in Detroit, that is probably only slightly less likely to happen.
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