The Petersen Automotive Museum has partnered with online education company Yellowbrick to release "Auto Design & Sketching," a free online course.

Auto design history, principles, case studies, theory and of course sketching are all covered. Instructors include Franz von Holzhausen (Chief Designer, Tesla Motors), Ralph Gilles (Chief Design Officer, Stellantis), Christine Feuell (Brand CEO, Chrysler), Francesc Arenas (Design Director, Hispano Suiza) and Roman Yneges (Faculty, Art Center College of Design).

The course consists of three self-paced modules, each broken down into smaller six- to fifteen-minute lessons. (You don't need anything except note-taking materials for the first two, but obviously you'll need sketching materials for part three.) Here's the curriculum:

Module 1: PRINCIPLES & HISTORY OF AUTO DESIGN

From the staff at Petersen and expert designers in the field, students will study the history of the car, as well as the design eras and trends they belong to.

Key Concepts:

- Core Design Principles

- Necessary Auto Designer Skills

- Critical Historic Trends in Auto Design

- From Idea to Showroom

- Cars & Sustainability

Module 2: FAMOUS CAR CASE STUDIES

Some of the best designers in the world give their take on cars that have changed the automotive industry. What's your take?

Key Concepts:

- DMC DeLorean (1981): Futuristic Icon & Market Miss

- Lamborghini Gallardo (2004): A Supercar for the Masses

- Ford Shelby Mustang (2005): Updating the Past

- Tesla Model S (2012): Making Sustainability Cool

Module 3: LET'S DRAW

Working with Prof. Roman Yneges from ArtCenter, students will walk through the core skills needed to start concepting and realizing auto designs. Sharpen your pencils!

Key Concepts:

- Perspective-Based Sketching

- Circles & Ellipses

- Drawing Classic Cars

- Drawing Modern Cars

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Ready to dive in? You can sign up and get started right away here.