We at Wheels-and-things are all crazy about books. You may have already noticed that. When publisher Porter Press then releases a car book on car design, I am (and I am now speaking for myself) completely sold.
Of course, everything is designed but good design can make the difference between a successful product or a failure. It is no different in the automotive industry. With forays into medical imaging, product design, assisted bicycles and electric vehicles, Design & Desire offers a personal insight into a unique and varied career that has spanned more than 40 years – and still continues…
Once upon a time, Keith Helfet ambitiously embarked on a project to give a second-hand Triumph Spitfire a new body. To do this, he used leftover Styrofoam and plaster. At the time, no one may have thought that one of the world’s leading designers was at work here. And yet that is what Keith Helfet has become.
After studying at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London, the South African-born young man got a job at Jaguar, where he would meet his mentor – founder Sir William Lyons. Thanks to his encouragement and guidance, Helfet created a number of iconic designs, including the supercar XJ220, the XK180 and the stunning 2000 F-type concept.
The author:
Keith Helfet was born in 1946 and grew up in Pinelands, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. After completing his studies in mechanical engineering, Helfet moved to London and was admitted to a master’s programme in automotive design. After graduating, he began a long and successful career with Jaguar. During this time, he designed a number of iconic cars including the brand’s supercar, the XJ220. Although he regularly writes a column for Jaguar World magazine, Design & Desire is Keith’s first book and offers a personal reflection on his life and career so far.
The book:
240mm x 280mm | Hardback with cover 128 pages | More than 160 illustrations and drawings from Keith Helfet’s own collection | Price: £39.00 | ISBN 978-1-913089-01-6
Uitgever: Porter Press International | Publicatiedatum: december 2023 | Auteur: Keith Helfet