Dezeen Magazine

Movie: Jaguar clay modelling at Clerkenwell Design Week

In this movie we filmed at Clerkenwell Design Week earlier this year, clay modeller for car brand Jaguar Charles Douglas tells Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs how he turns a designer's sketch into a 3D form that can be scanned for manufacture.

Movie: Jaguar clay modelling at Clerkenwell Design Week

Speaking in the Farmiloe Building, Douglas explains how he uses an armature milled to 50 millimetres lower than the intended finished surface of the clay as a guide to sculpt to the correct level.

Movie: Jaguar clay modelling at Clerkenwell Design Week

Above image is by Jim Stephenson

He demonstrates how he uses a slick tool to work the clay in different directions to achieve the perfect shape and thickness.

Movie: Jaguar clay modelling at Clerkenwell Design Week

Above image is by Jim Stephenson

Although there is a certain amount of craft and creativity in his role, Douglas says that he is restricted by "engineering points all around the bonnet and crash points on the bumper," as well as other control points because "you've got to get an engine in there and you've got to get in and out".

Movie: Jaguar clay modelling at Clerkenwell Design Week

Above image is by Mark Cocksedge

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