Please contact me for more information and a copy of my latest resume.

1. JON ALBERT
VEHICLE
DESIGN
PORTFOLIO

2. THE‟ PRODUCTS
GMT355
COLORADO/
CANYON
GMT345 H3
HUMMER
INTERIORS
H1
H2 MCE
GM ‘IMPACT’
PROTERRA BUS
GM INTERIORS
CORVETTE C5
CADILLAC ESCALADE
„PLATINUM‟

3. CHEVROLET COLORADO
GMC CANYON
 Isuzu Technical Centre, Fujisawa, Japan

4. GM’s global small truck program,
jointly-developed in collaboration with
Isuzu Motors for a worldwide market
 As Vehicle Chief Designer, I led the design
team in creation of the family of small pickup
trucks for North American markets.
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
GM‟s first global truck
development program
(GMT 355), leveraged
Isuzu‟s expertise in light
truck development, while
developing sourced
components on a global
scale.

5. Small Truck segment Voice of Customer Data
identified key buyer priorities
 Purchase decision: pre-owned full-size vs. new
mid-size pickup?
 Maximum truck/ $
 Adaptable for the broad spectrum of
North American pickup use, including fleets
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
NA market needs dictated
different requirements
than those identified by
Isuzu for their Asian
customers.
This required a high
degree of collaboration
to develop a common
small truck architecture to
satisfy all markets.

6. Small Truck segment Voice of the Customer
data established the design goals
 3 cabs: regular +7”/ extended/ crew
 Articulating extended and crew cab rear seats
to accommodate interior cargo
 Visually convey toughness
 Suggest a larger perceptual scale than actual
dimensions
 Communicate value, substance and quality
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Basic cab, chassis and
interior components were
strategized for common
use in both Isuzu Asian-
market and GM NA-
market versions of the
truck.

7. Architecture strategy that satisfies a broad
segment range
 Regular, extended and crew cabs
 2 wheelbases/ 2 frame lengths/
2 cargo box lengths
 High and low GC options
 Broad appeal for conventional 2- and 4-
wheel drive buyers
 Niche market versions for both off-roaders
and “Street truck” enthusiasts
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Due to the diversity of the
NA small truck market,
this program embraced a
wide range of
interchangeable content
to allow configuration to
any NA buyer‟s needs.

8.  Theme goals: look tough regardless of
ground clearance. Design language fits both
GMC AND Chevy.
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Common sheetmetal
panels had to convey
both Chevrolet Truck
durability and GMC
precision.
Grilles, graphic ID, wheels
and interior content were
the main differentators
between the brands.

9.  From initial ideas to detail execution, the
sketches reflected a chiseled design language
intended to convey rugged precision.
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Working within GM
sheetmetal quality
guidelines, we were able
to maintain a crisp,
angular exterior surface
language.
Common cab surfaces for
each version of the truck
were validated with Isuzu
in wind tunnel tests in
Japan.

10.  Colorado/ Canyon instrument panel
alternatives- clean, simple details
reflect quality construction
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Instrument panel designs
anticipated left- and
right-hand drive
component flexibility to
optimize shared content
between Isuzu and GM

11.  Interior shares high-investment
component sets with Isuzu
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Shared development of
common low-visibility
components allowed
differentiation in more
high-visibility, brand-
specific content.
steering wheel /DSIR
column and controls glovebox
HVAC head
PSIR
IP structure
knee bolster
seat structures
door panels

12.  The Colorado/ Canyon extended cab interior CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON

13.  Extended cab rear seat bases
also function as storage compartments
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Pickup truck users place a
high priority on usable
storage convenience
throughout the truck
interior.
Rear seat cushions
fold vertically
against cab wall

14.  Bases also fold 180 degrees to form
a flat rear floor, level with the floor tunnel
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Pickup truck users also
value flat, level interior
load surfaces and as
much flexible load volume
as possible.
Flat, floor-level rear
cargo area

15.  Crew cab rear seat backs fold flat for cargo CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
This configuration takes
advantage of the crew
cab‟s more spacious rear
dimensions.
All three
sections
fold flat

16.  Colorado and Canyon design have remained
essentially unchanged over their lifecycle
CHEVROLET
COLORADO
GMC
CANYON
Many vehicle programs of
this duration (even the
Isuzu equivalent of this
truck) undergo a “mid-
cycle enhancement”.
The Colorado/ Canyon
has received only new
wheels, interior trim
details, fabrics and
exterior paint colors.

17. HUMMER H3
 GM Design, Warren, Michigan US

18.  HUMMER capability in smaller SUV
 Express HUMMER brand quality
 Built from GM Small Truck architecture
 Volume component of HUMMER strategy
HUMMER H3
H3 was originally
conceived by GM product
planners as an SUV
version (GMT 345) of the
Chevy Colorado, to be
rebadged as a HUMMER.
My role as Vehicle Chief
Designer was to
determine the
appropriate
architectural ‘reach’ to
achieve authentic
HUMMER
characteristics, basing
the design on the
Colorado/ Canyon
architecture.
H1: brand icon H2: high-profit
Full Size Truck-based
H3: higher volume

19.  Aimed at premium-segment SUV owners
 Full-time 4WD
 Implied military-spec lineage
HUMMER H3
HUMMER positioned itself
as a premium SUV brand.
Aspirational image intent
for this vehicle
benchmarked other
premium brands (also
with military vehicle
heritage)
Mercedes Benz G Wagen
Land Rover Defender

20.  Small Truck Bill of Manufacturing dictated
cross-vehicle width based on plant capability HUMMER H3
The original HUMVEE‟s
characteristic wide
stance came, in part, from
wheels that were set out
the same width as the
body.
Because of constraints in
assembly line width, the
H3‟s body would not be as
wide as the wheel track-
the challenge was to
achieve an authentic
HUMMER look with add-
on fenders.
Wheel face offset
required bolt-on
fenders
HUMVEE front view- wheels flush to body side

21.  H3 original concept alternate
 Proposed forward-opening side-access doors
HUMMER H3
This original concept scale
model proposed an open-
frame architecture on a
shortened Colorado
chassis.
With removable doors,
roof, mid-gate and rear
glass, the design concept
provided variable
configuration to fit a
variety of applications.
“Slant-back” profile
evokes HUMVEE
heritage

22.  Open “slant-back” architecture HUMMER H3
Slanted struts at the rear
of the vehicle provided
structural rigidity and a
format for re-
configurability.
Removable mid-gate
SUT with mini-bed Side-hinged
rear swing
gate

23.  Enclosed slant-back architecture
 Open rear cargo zone interior
HUMMER H3
Added components create
an enclosed rear cargo
area.
Detachable
quarter glass
Top-hinged
glass
hatchback
Side-hinged
rear swing
gate

24.  Open/ fabric top
 SUT w/ open bed
 Hatchback hinged
at rollbar
 Quarter glass
 Conventional
“square-back”
SUV
 Add-on SUV cap
hinged at rollbar
 Hinged back glass
HUMMER H3
The H3 design concept
was developed using one
of the first reactive-
stimuli customer
research programs at
GM.
A variety of body
configuration variants
were tested and response
data evaluated.

25.  Designers supplied digital sketches
responding immediately on-site to focus
group input
 Reactive-stimuli testing allowed direct
qualitative feedback
HUMMER H3
.
Design clinics were
structured to allow
designers to modify
existing design stimuli
on-site in „real time‟, as
well as to propose novel
designs in direct response
to customer feedback.
(Holt Ware sketches)

26.  Appeal of conventional SUV configuration for
most users validated in reactive-stimuli
research against all other variants
 Reactive stimuli were also used to test
specific styling thematic alternatives
HUMMER H3
Qualitative results were
compiled for verification in
future clinics, where they
could again be modified or
confirmed based on
customer input.

27.  This research approach was featured in
Forbes magazine February 2005. HUMMER H3
H3 reactive-stimuli
research validated a
simple, well-executed
„squareback‟ architecture,
as well as justifying larger
wheel/ tire sizes, shorter
front overhang, and a
more vertical windshield,
exceptions from the
original GMT 345
planning outline.

28.  Full-size foam size/ proportion model HUMMER H3
A “vision model” was built
to assess these visual
cues over a representative
architecture.

29.  Visual cues consistent with HUMVEE/ H1
and H2
 Vertical windshield in profile cues
 Cowl air boxes
 High GC/ minimum front and rear overhangs
 Exposed functional construction
HUMMER H3
Key design enablers were
documented, based on
research validation, as
the design component of
requirements for program
direction and approval.

30.  Basic production elements finalized for
theme approval
 Full size clay development translated basic
enablers into production execution
HUMMER H3
With vehicle architecture
and enablers established,
exterior visual cues were
refined for a premium
visual statement.

31.  Premium execution integrated components
from the Global small truck program
HUMMER H3
Under my guidance, the
HUMMER interior studio
design team executed
components from the
Colorado/ Canyon truck
program with perceived
quality and refinement
appropriate for a
premium brand.
instruments
audio
HVAC
head
steering wheel/ column
DSIR and
PSIR systems
light controls
drive mode controls
shifter

32.  HUMMER brand interior direction-
ruggedness with luxury
HUMMER H3
Luxury car brands were
benchmarked for interior
traits appropriate for a
premium SUV interior.
H3 would be the first
example of the HUMMER
interior design strategy-
balance rugged honesty
of design with premium
execution of fit, finish
and materials
Interior theme forms were developed with emphasis on
straightforward simplicity beautifully-crafted detail.
(Paul Kim sketches)

33.  H3 interior confirmation sketch HUMMER H3
.
Identified cues
established an upscale
visual formula for a
premium product
brightwork details
natural finish leathers
emphasis on trim
construction
warm naturals
contrasted with
blacks/ dark greys
(Paul Kim sketch)

34.  Light trim above beltline enhances spatial
perception, an approach learned from Asian
and European competitors in the car market
HUMMER H3
This upscale design strategy
would provide a consistent
visual vocabulary for all
HUMMER interiors.
The H3 interior was the first
HUMMER interior execution
using this strategy.
Upper trim plastic colors
and finishes were closely
matched to headliner fabric
texture and value

35.  Refined colors with contrast emphasis
 Prioritized attention to component fit/ finish
 Bright/ honed metal accents
HUMMER H3
H3 was awarded Ward's
Automotive magazine
‘Best Interior- Trucks’
May 2004
It also received Chicago
Athenaeum‟s annual
‘Good Design’ award-
(transportation) in June
2004

36. HUMMER INTERIORS
 GM Design, Warren, Michigan
 AM General, Livonia, Michigan
HUMMER H1
HUMMER H2
MCE

37. HUMMER H1 INTERIOR
AM General, Livonia, Michigan

38.  With an architecture developed for a military
mission, the HUMMER H1 „commercial‟
interior presented opportunities for
refinement.
HUMMER H1
For the HUMMER H1
interior redesign program,
I led the collaboration
between the HUMMER
brand team, GM Design
and AM General to
address functional,
aesthetic and quality
issues with the existing
product.
claustrophobic packaging
material quality
fit/ finish
visual order
perceived quality

39.  Aggressive 6-month program
 Design within AM General bill of materials/
bill of process
 Reorganize components for easier use
 Optimize off-the-shelf components
HUMMER H1
Sketches demonstrate
initial concept thinking to
map out a more efficient,
reorganized interior.
concept sketch for rear
passengers‟ control panel

40.  Highly revised HVAC/ tunnel packaging
 Component breakups rationalized
HUMMER H1
HVAC components were
repackaged for more
efficient use of available
space, enabling a lower
center console.
combination
console lid/
laptop tray

41.  Concept sketch for interior applies HUMMER
interior visual strategy
 Optimized space perception
within a functionally-confined architecture
 Simplified fit/ assembly, horizontal emphasis
HUMMER H1
Using off-the-shelf
components and basic
material processes like
vacuum-molding and one-
shot injection-molding, I
conceived a simple,
organized interior.

42.  Simplified control groups/ display orientation
 Silver accents/ chrome details
 Natural colors contrasted with dark greys
HUMMER H1
The interior bill of
materials combined
components from General
Motors, AM General, the
commercial truck industry
and the aftermarket.

43.  Seat contours based on H3 design
 Strong horizontal emphasis for perceived
increase in cross-vehicle spaciousness
 Laptop computer tray
 Rear passenger‟s control panel
HUMMER H1
This design execution
overcame some architectural
challenges unique to a
vehicle originally designed
for a singular military
function.

44. HUMMER H2 INTERIOR
MID-CYCLE
ENHANCEMENT

45.  H2 mid-cycle redesign was driven by
changing Federal safety requirements.
 Required engineering changes presented
the opportunity for a comprehensive update
applying strategic HUMMER interior cues.
HUMMER H2
To save cost within the
vehicle line, a new,
common Full Size Truck
electronic architecture
was strategized to meet
Federal safety
compliance, requiring
revision to the entire
interior.
steering wheel/ DSIRinstrument cluster
PSIR
knee bolster
glove box door
door trim
console
seat systems

46.  Fit/ finish/ perceived quality issues HUMMER H2
The original H2 interior did
not reflect the strategized
HUMMER interior brand
language.
The safety-mandated
engineering changes to
the interior presented an
opportunity to simplify
and upgrade the interior
design execution.
monochromatic black
hard plastic finishes
primitive component fits

47.  „Command‟ driver position
through organized displays and controls
 Based on common FST component set
HUMMER H2
Upgraded Full Size truck
electronic architecture
allowed more efficient
packaging, more precise
controls and more
informative driver
displays.

48.  Strong cross-vehicle visual emphasis
 Grab handle integral to airbag deployment
HUMMER H2
Material choices, grains
and color usage were
executed to the HUMMER
interior strategy.

49.  Revised design reflects a more simple,
horizontally-integrated approach.
HUMMER H2
Clean forms, with emphasis
on rich, contrasted colors,
speak in a consistent visual
language for HUMMER.
Chrome details
Soft touch plastics
Precise fit/ finish

50.  Richly-executed trim details,
tightly-tailored definition
 Quality stitching/ color-contrasted piping
HUMMER H2
Design goal for the seats
was crisp definition with
superlative comfort.
Close collaboration with the
integrated supplier ensured
exacting trim development
with the
highest-quality execution.

51. GM PRODUCTION INTERIORS
 GM Design, Warren, Michigan
CHEVROLET
CORVETTE C5
INTERIOR
CADILLAC
ESCALADE
„PLATINUM‟
EDITION

52.  Chief of Design: Chevrolet Interior Studio CHEVROLET
CORVETTE
C5
As Corvette Interior Chief
Designer, I led the design
team through the
conception, creation,
and production
execution of the C5
interior.
Created to provide the
ultimate driving
experience, incorporating
contemporary HMI
technology while
expressing authentic
Corvette heritage

53.  Chief of Design: Chevrolet Interior Studio CHEVROLET
CORVETTE
C5
Developed around a
vehicle architecture that
delivers better daily driver
usability with a higher
performance envelope

54.  1998 Corvette convertible interior CHEVROLET
CORVETTE
C5
Both coupe and
convertible feature a
dual-cockpit design
evoking Corvette interior
heritage in a fresh
statement.
The arched grab bar on the
passenger's side aids in
airbag deployment.
Body-colored “waterfall” evokes Corvette convertible heritage

55.  Design Manager: Premium Full Size Truck
Interior
CADILLAC
ESCALADE
PLATINUM
Under my leadership, the
Program Team developed
materials and executed
the design details for the
most luxurious SUV
interior in Cadillac
history.
Premium materials-
parquet inlays, aniline-
dyed leathers, brushed
aluminum appliques

56.  The superlative statement of luxury in
Cadillac‟s largest vehicle
 Lavishly detailed with precision fit and
extraordinary finish
CADILLAC
ESCALADE
PLATINUM
The Platinum interior is
executed in Cocoa with
Light Linen lower trim
TEHAMA aniline full
leather seats
Leather trimmed and
sewn instrument panel
and doors
Brushed aluminum detail
trim
Olive ash/ burled walnut
inlay appliques
3 LCD screens

57. GM IMPACT
 GM Advanced Concept Center, California

58.  Collaborative development with
AeroVironment, Simi Valley, California
 Proof-of-concept for EV-1, GM‟s first
production-intent electric car program
GM IMPACT
While the AeroVironment
team oversaw technical
development and project
management for this
program, my role was to
lead the team in
developing the exterior
and interior styling for
General Motors Advanced
Concept Center , as well
as to optimize the
design for aerodynamic
performance.

59.  Ideation sketch for tandem „catamaran‟
 Concept reduced frontal area for lower drag
GM IMPACT
Initial sketching explored
a wide range of ideas for
vehicle layout, leveraging
the package flexibility of
an electric drivetrain.
Tandem occupants on left
Batteries on right

60.  Ideation sketch for low 2-seat sport coupe GM IMPACT
Optimized packaging for
daily use resulted in a
small, sporty coupe layout
that would be fun to drive
and easy to maneuver in
urban traffic.

61.  Form development sketches for coupe GM IMPACT
.
Aerodynamic
development alternatives
were modeled in clay
from simple line
sketches like these.
Ultimately, this tapering „boat-tail‟
form proved to be the most efficient.
Effective airflow separation
at the rear of the car dictated
this simple „clipped‟ tail
treatment

62.  Team aerodynamic scale development at Cal
Tech aero lab, Pasadena
 Lowest drag coefficient of any passenger car
at that time
GM IMPACT
Aerodynamic
characteristics were
refined in scale model
form, in collaboration
with AeroVironment’s
engineers to meet
aggressive performance
goals.

63. As design leader at ACC in California, I
 oversaw exterior and interior development
 led the creative team to conceive the final
visual design
 managed the program transition from scale
to full-size clay
GM IMPACT
In addition to guiding the
design direction for this
program, I also managed
the execution details of
the finished vehicle
interior and exterior.
Final styling details were
resolved in the full-size
clay exterior model.

64.  Impact full size clay model (final review for
approval)
GM IMPACT
Surface forms were
translated from the scale
aero model to a full-size
clay model.
Dual intake fans required
a pair of ducts below the
front bumper, replacing
the traditional grille
Smoothly-flowing rear
surfaces, including skirted
rear wheels, were critical
in meeting aerodynamic
targets.
Strong horizontal
graphics helped reduce
the car‟s mass, especially
in side view.

65.  Impact performance validation
GM Desert Proving Grounds, Mesa, AZ
GM IMPACT
Final concept vehicle
fabrication and testing
took place in the last
quarter of 1989.

66.  Impact press: Hughes Aircraft, Culver City,
California, January 1990
GM IMPACT
The GM Impact was the
first modern production-
intent electric vehicle
concept by a major US
auto manufacturer,
approved for development
as the EV-1 electric car
program in the mid-
1990‟s.

67. PROTERRA ELECTRIC BUS
 Proterra Inc., Greenville, South Carolina

68. Proterra‟s system
guides the vehicle
autonomously to the
recharge point and
recharges fully in
ten minutes.
PROTERR
A
 Proterra builds fully-electric transit busses in Greenville,
South Carolina

69.  Customer styling consultant
PROTERRA
(City bus concept illustration from APTA 2013 presentation)
As styling consultant, I
have generated concepts
for vehicles and systems,
and have collaborated
with Proterra engineers
and contractors in
upcoming product
development.

70.  Customer styling consultant
Design/ styling
responsibilities have
included concept work to
support transit vehicle
exterior and interior,
mockup studies for
engineering support, and
styling concepts and
graphic design for
peripheral system
components.
(City bus concept illustration from APTA 2013 presentation)