Take a step into the design and clay modelling process of the Ford Design team and learn, in 90 seconds, what it takes to go from a scribble on a sketch pad to Ford’s most powerful Ranger yet – the next-generation Ranger Raptor.
Hundreds of sketches, thousands of kilos of clay, and hundreds of litres of paint. We think of new cars being built by sophisticated machines on massive production lines, but the first step in the process begins with artisans crafting the forms that will eventually hit the road.
EXCLUSIVE: Meeting new Ford Ranger Raptor in the metal
Like everything, the design of the next-gen Ranger Raptor began with a brief. This brief forms the backbone of the design, it confirms the inspiration and must-haves in the final product.
Once the creative brief is locked, the designers begin sketching and it “always starts with a pencil and paper,” said Dave Dewitt, exterior design manager, Ranger Raptor. Once the sketches are approved, “and there are hundreds of them,” according to Dewitt, the digital design team recreates them virtually as both a master reference document and to feed into the next step, clay modelling.
Using more than 4000 kg of clay, 1/3 scale models and then full-size models are carved first by machines before the finishing touches are made by master sculptors. The design chiefs approve the clay design and it is ‘frozen’. Clay modellers also sculpt life-sized models of steering wheels, dashboards and seats for ergonomic testing.
While the clay modellers are working, the colour and materials team starts selecting the fabrics, textures and colours to help emphasise the look and feel of the next-gen Ranger Raptor while conforming with the design DNA of the vehicle. Interior design works to ensure the Raptor’s interior feels like a cockpit but is also as practical as can be.
The end result, after lots of hard work, much of it hand built by a team of talented creatives and craftspeople, is the next-gen Ranger Raptor. Watch the embedded YouTube video below.
