Luke Robins, the transport designer, a motorsport enthusiast with a keen interest in all things designed by mind and hands.
Growing up with his dad who showed him the latest concept cars, and discuss what we liked about them. This started to help him articulate his thoughts for design around the age of 8. Looking back, he values these conversations, as they were already conditioning his mind to read into the way something looks, and why.
At the age of 14, I realized that I could combine my interest in cars and drawing when I discovered that Coventry University offered a course in Car Design. Luke Robins went into the course aspiring to become a car designer. Read More About SUR RON POWER SYSTEMS For DIY And Electric Motorcycle Companies
Through good fortune, my university landlords worked for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and were able to organize a meeting with Adam Hatton (Chief Exterior Designer-Jaguar) for my housemates and me, who were all on the course together. Adam brought along one other designer from his team (Emeric Baubant) and we spent an hour talking with the two of them, which was one of the most informative conversations of my university years.
One of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever been given came from Adam that day: he told us to “find your niche”. He expanded by explaining how finding an area and honing in on it will help you differentiate yourself from the competition. This was an eye-opening insight and really helped me to evaluate my circumstances and make an informed decision as to how I would proceed.
Luke Robins refocused my efforts on motorcycle design:
Although my aspiration was to become a car designer, this wasn’t to say that motorcycles weren’t ever of interest. I spent my younger years attending exhibitions at the NEC and Excel, with my father and uncle, to see the latest bikes on the market. Between the two of them. There was always something 2-wheeled in the garage that I was being lifted onto, or watching on in awe at the incredible machinery on display.
Because of this, Luke Robins was able to capitalize on the most transformative opportunity to intern at AutoFabrica for 3 months in the summer of 2019. My peer, Matthew Lincoln, being at AutoFabrica and immersed in their culture and processes, helped me to learn more about bikes, as well as truly define my taste in design. I owe it to Bujar and Gaz for allowing me to be a fly on the wall, and for allowing me to push myself creatively.
After graduating in May 2020, Luke Robins participated in a European design competition for Royal Enfield. It was a CTG (Colour, Trim & Graphics) competition for the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650.
During the pandemic, I spent 3 months focusing all of my efforts on this, as it was a major motorcycle company that I had the ability to show my potential, during a global pandemic, where opportunities were incredibly scarce. In the 3 months of the competition, I submitted 86 designs—nearly half of all entries received.
Royal Enfield Design:
Royal Enfield then shortlisted 12 designs—six for the Continental GT, and six for the Interceptor. 3 of my designs made the 12—2 for the CGT and 1 for the Interceptor. I was incredibly fortunate to win the CGT category and worked with RE to turn my scheme into reality.
Luke Robins’s design was an intricate tessellation triangle graphic, layered on a gradient blue fade. The intention was that the striking fade caught one’s attention from a distance, and as you approached, the complexity of the intricate triangle pattern presented itself.
This opportunity enabled me to work with the team at RE, understanding the real-world limitations of production, as well as learning about the process of painting, and how they translate a design into reality.
After working with the Royal Enfield team on a revised color scheme design and seat design, Royal Enfield informed me that they planned to take the motorcycle to EICMA to exhibit it on their stand.
Royal Enfield was celebrating their 120th anniversary, so to be 23 years old, have graduated into a pandemic, and be exhibiting with Royal Enfield was truly surreal and set the bar high for the future.
Why did you start sketching these?
My Project, Adidas Inertia, was set to explore aerodynamics on motorcycles, and how to question why motorcycle design has been very much stagnant for decades. Adrian Morton recently discusses this in his Crown Unfiltered
I deliberately called my project ‘Inertia’ because of the stagnant nature of the industry and my hopes to create something that explored a new direction for motorcycle design.
Furthermore, The intention was to create a motorcycle whose body was made from stretch fabrics and morphing panels. That optimized their shape best for their current speed, angle, position on track, and so on, to optimize lap time and aid the rider in changing direction, as well as help, change the lean angle of the motorcycle, from one side to another, more quickly.
MotoGP bike Design:
A MotoGP bike has less than 1/3 of the frontal area of an F1 car, so having a bike with a morphing body skin would enable the bike to create a larger surface area (subject to speed and brake pressure) to stop the bike faster. The idea was inspired by the BMW Gina concept of Chris Bangle. Which used polypropylene skin and cables operated to move the surface to different positions, open and close the headlights and the hood, and even raise the wing.
This concept was ahead of its time and still is, which is why I firmly believe my project has real-world applications and benefits. You can also read about Rene The Founder Of NOVUS Electric Motorcycle
Luke Robins try to find inspiration from all aspects of life. Architecture has always been something that fascinates me. For my FMP, the Oculus building in New York was of particular interest. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the building is a very clean and minimal form, divided into several ‘ribs’ that complete the parametric shape. I wanted to emulate this through aspects of my design and generally find Calatrava’s work to be the most inspirational.
Luke Robins’s interpersonal skills:
I think having a broad horizon enables one to be far more creative. Drawing from more experience means there is more substance to inform what you create.
August 2022 saw the end of an 18-month stint with Arc Vehicle. I really enjoyed the small team dynamic and learned a lot about business, interpersonal skills, as well as design.
Also, this year, a career highlight that I am so fortunate to have already achieved is being invited to Sam Ofsowitz’s podcast, Crown Unfiltered. Sam talks all things design, diving into the careers of many established and successful designers to learn more about their stories.
Furthermore, As a young designer, recently out of university, the appeal to Sam of having me on the podcast was that my experience would be more relatable to the younger demographic of his audience, so they could see what my pathway was into the industry and my first design role with Arc.
It was a lot of fun talking with Sam, and an immense pleasure. I know, knowing the caliber of guests he has had before and after me, Finally, I know my invitation to record an episode was a special one. I would like to thank Sam for his belief in me and for his continual support and would encourage all readers to listen to his podcast.
Other projects
FAQS:
What’s shaking for 2023?
Also, 2023 should be exciting! I set up my own company, LR Design Limited, offering my design services, so I have a number of projects ongoing. I’m delighted to be collaborating with Windsor Coachworks to design and build a motorcycle.
We have a shared vision and taste for design, so I know that my ideas will be translated into 3D better than I could have ever imagined. For anyone in need of a designer, please get in touch!
Credits to give to someone else?
Furthermore, there are so many people to acknowledge and thank. So early in my career, if it weren’t for the selfless support of so many. In Addition, I owe so much to Steve Flanagan without whom I would not have been doing nearly enough to market myself on LinkedIn. Since August 2020, Steve has helped me to market myself and my design abilities to other professionals. I am now closing in on 16,000 connections/followers, thanks to his unwavering mentorship, patience, and guidance.
To Sam Ofsowitz, who has been empathetic from our first conversations amidst the pandemic, Sam has reminded me that the world is full of people, as we forget that sometimes when communicating through our screens. People can be too transactional, and Sam does an exemplary job of leading by example on this.
Also, Mark Truman, I will always be grateful to Mark, as he gave me my first design opportunity in the industry. I’m sure there was doubt, and risk, in taking on an unproven graduate into his small team, but it’s one he took and I’m grateful he did.
