BASF Announces Winner of 2016 Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment Los Angeles

BASF Announces Winner of 2016 Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment Los Angeles

John Frye, a principal designer and digital modeling group leader for Honda R&D Americas, Inc., was named the winner of the event known as the “Fight Night of Design.”

basf
2016 Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment Los Angeles winner John Frye receives his championship belt.

BASF announced that John Frye, a principal designer and digital modeling group leader for Honda R&D Americas, Inc., was named the winner of its Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment Los Angeles. Known as the “Fight Night of Design,” the Sketchbattle experiments, which originated in Detroit, are held to help identify emerging automotive design talent.

The Los Angeles event, which marked the first time the Sketchbattle was held outside of Detroit, coincided with the Los Angeles Auto Show. Seventeen contestants competed in the automotive sketch battle, which was held in a high-pressure format in front of a live audience.

“The Sketchbattle competitions not only emphasize the skill and creativity of future talent, they also offer an energizing platform to help build enthusiasm for the automotive design community,” said Paul Czornij, head of design for the BASF Color Excellence Group and one of the event judges. “As a leader in color design for the auto industry, we enjoy supporting such a creative and thrilling event.”

sketch
The winning sketch by John Frye from the 2016 Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment Los Angeles.

The Sketchbattle competitions consist of three rounds, with each round themed differently. Approximately half the contestants are eliminated in each round as their sketches are judged by a panel of automotive design experts.

Judges for the LA event included Chief Judge Chris Benjamin, head of Interior Design at Fiat Chrysler North America, Bryan Thompson of Bryan Thompson Design, and Paul Czornij. Additional special guest judges for each round included Michael DiTullo, chief of design for Sound United/Polk Audio, Scott Robertson of Design Press and designer Camilo Pardo.

For the final round, the four remaining contestants were asked to incorporate BASF’s 2017 Color of the Year – Reflexion Nebula, a color that transitions from blue to gray depending on the vantage point – into their sketches. The four finalists were Frye, defending Sketchbattle champion Omar Gonzales, Rodrigo Galdino, a designer at Karma, and Chris Lah, a student at the Art Center College of Design.

“During the final round, I didn’t have a specific plan other than using the BASF blue on something like a hot rod – adding future thinking to a reinterpretation of classic proportion,” said Frye, who also studied at the Art Center College of Design before starting his career. “Winning the Sketchbattle was stunning and energizing for me. I feel the experience is an endorsement of the skills and encouragement from the teachers and supportive people in my life. As designers, we do not evolve in a vacuum, we owe a lot to those who teach us and mold our creativity.”

You May Also Like

Corby’s Collision Center: Since 1942

Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started Corby’s in a little gas station in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.

Corby’s Collision, Inc. has been repairing vehicles since 1942 when Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started their automotive venture in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., in a little gas station on North Main Street. In 1954, the business moved to its present location at 1212 Rochester St., where they continued repairing vehicles and selling Arctic Cat and Ski Doo snowmobiles. In 1985, Larry and Bonnie Corby purchased the family business, expanding in 1996 when they opened a second location in the Canandaigua area as Corby’s Precision Collision at Ontario Imports in the Ontario Mazda building. In 1999, the Canandaigua business was moved to its present location at 2460 State Route 332. Now, as the third generation, Leslie (Corby) and Kelly Craft continue to carry on the family tradition.

CIF Announces Enterprise as Repeat Annual Donor

Enterprise has donated for the fourth consecutive time at the Urgent Care (second highest) tier.

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Central Georgia Mom

The NAB), GEICO and Five Star Collision Center-Wimbish recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a deserving mother of four.

NABC Donates Recycled Rides at NORTHEAST Show

The NABC, GEICO, Mountain View Auto and Collision Center of New Jersey donated two refurbished vehicles at the recent NORTHEAST Show.

Crash Champions Expands in Idaho

Crash Champions has announced the acquisition of Addison Collision Repair in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Other Posts

Auto Care Association Welcomes GAO Report on Vehicle Repair Restrictions

The Auto Care Association is renewing its call for Congress to advance federal Right to Repair legislation that protects independent business owners and consumers.

ProColor Collision Welcomes First Shop in Montana

ProColor Collision Gallatin Valley is operated by Robert Rinta and Simon Gratch, who both served honorably in the Montana National Guard.

Association News

The latest association news appearing on bodyshopbusiness.com.

Podcasts of the Week

A review of some of the latest podcasts from BodyShop Business.