Todd Perkins Design

Contrast

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:38:43 +0000

I turned the corner from the renewable, sustainable, automotive technologies of tomorrow at OSU’s CAR in June, to the raw, fossil fuel-burning, horsepower of yesteryear in July! The scene was the Goodguys PPG Nationals Car Show, at the Ohio Expo Center, here in Columbus. They claim to draw over 6000 hot rods (1972 and older), 400+ vendors, and tens of thousands of enthusiasts.

It was great balance for me, in the middle of the Inhaler project, because it keeps my roots planted. I am an American hotrodder. I was born with the musclecar era. I grew up on loud exhausts, burnt gas fumes, and tire smoke. Being back in my world helped bring my perspective into alignment, and remember that the Inhaler is about creativity, innovation, perfection, and raw performance. I’m all for “green” initiatives and sustainable living concepts, but they are not the total sum of who I am.

They played the national anthem and as I stood reflecting on what it meant, in the midst of this incredible show, it was so clear. The United States is the epitome of freedom and liberty, and the automobile is one of the ultimate symbols of personal freedom. It is inseparably ingrained into the “American” way of life. Custom vehicles are art, they are personal expression. What better way to show the world who you are, how you feel, than a rolling canvas you can display from sea to shining sea.

At the Speed of Electric

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:55:32 +0000

Me on the left, David Emerling of CAR on the right, in front of the Buckeye Bullet 2

On Monday, June 10th, I was invited to take a tour of The Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research (CAR) with a small group from the Columbus Idea Foundry. CAR is heavily involved in electric-powered transportation, supporting with the major manufaturers with research and development into what promises to be our future. Naturally, this was of interest to me.

This team of engineering students is also actively involved in racing electric-powered vehicles. In addition to successfully campaigning an open-wheel racer, they own two very prestigious land speed records. One, for the fastest battery-powered electric vehicle on Earth – the Buckeye Bullet 1; and secondly, for the fastest hydrogen fuel cell powered electric vehicle on Earth – the Buckeye Bullet 2. They are preparing to return to the Bonneville salt this year in Buckeye Bullet 2.5, which is version 2 converted back to battery power, and again in the near future in an all new Buckeye Bullet 3, battery-powered streamliner.

In all, the tour was fascinating. CAR has an awesome facility, riddled with great projects and plans. I enquired, with a generally positive response, about some type of involvement or association with the Buckeye Bullet team. Simply volunteering would be an incredible experience, if I manage to find the elusive element of time necessary to do so. At the very least it was a global, 21st century, experience that is sure to play a part in shaping the course of things to come.

Buckeye Bullet 2 on the stand.

Buckeye Bullet 1 on top of the shelves.

Welcome!

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 13:21:02 +0000

Welcome to the site. Welcome to a world of possibility.

Design is art. Design is expression. Design is a journey. It is the opportunity to go places we’ve never been, and to accomplish things we’ve never done. It is the pathway to learning the rewards of patience, the return on diligence, and the joy of perfection.

I invite you to ride along as I hone my skills and carefully sharpen my craft; sliding it over the whetstone of experience like a fine handcrafted blade. Enjoy with me as I wear the process of design as a garment, and ride it as a means of transport, from one great experience to the next.

Welcome to design.