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Paolo Martin on his Life and Career as a Designer

Paolo Martin is not a man in need of an introduction. His name is etched into the minds of the automotive design cognoscenti besides other legendary designers from the prolific era of the Italian carrozzeria.

Paolo Martin's career highlights in pencil sketches

Pencil sketches of a few of Paolo Martin’s ‘achievement cars’


 

Over the span of his career, he’s worked for Michelotti, Bertone, Pininfarina, and De Tomaso while at Ghia. He’s designed concept cars for Ferrari, Fiat, NSU, Nissan and Ford as well as production vehicles for Rolls-Royce, Peugeot, Fiat, Lancia and Stutz.

Ferrari 512S Modulo Concept by Paolo Martin at Pininfarina (1970)

1970 Pininfarina Ferrari 512S Modulo Concept was one of the significant highlights of Paolo Martin’s career


 

In 1976 he stepped out on his own, running a design consultancy in his birthplace of Turin where he designed motorcycles for Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Gilera as well as boats for Cigarette, Ferretti Kraft and Magum Marine. He’s also designed household products, sports gear and bicycles.


The main video above puts this career summary into context — showcasing specific models as part of his ‘achievement cars’ reel — while the three-part video interview below is a candid recount of the steps he took over his long and varied career as a designer.
 

Part 1 — On starting his career and advice to new designers


 

Part 2 — On working for himself, designing products and motorcycles


 

Part 3 — On creating wooden models, scooters, boats and products

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