One of the unexpected and wonderful things I’m grateful we have here at The Autopian is access to a chunk of floor space at the LA Auto Show. This little plot of carpeted real estate is carved out from the Greater Galpin Region of the Auto Show, and we get to park interesting cars here and decorate it as we please. So we did, and I want to show you what that looks like, partially because why not, and partially because each of these massive printed walls was an incredibly rushed job and I’m just relieved they turned out okay.
For logistical reasons I don’t fully comprehend, the size and locations of these panels wasn’t settled on until quite late in the game, so I had to crank out most of these things in one afternoon last weekend, reading the dimensions from a confusing spreadsheet attached to some obtuse CAD drawings. These were kind of a rush job is what I’m saying, and a big part of me was dreading coming to the show to find that I’d screwed up the huge prints in some obvious, embarrassing way, perhaps leading the authorities to be involved and me being taken in for questioning on charges of Being A Colossal Fuckup In Public.
Happily, I evaded that fate one more day! I think they turned out pretty well!
These may be my favorites:
These two are not tied to a specific car, and when I asked what we might want on them, Matt gave me the helpful advice of “I don’t know, just do some generic Autopian thing,” advice about as useful as him handing me a wet tuna sandwich and saying “see what you can do with this.”
In the end I got inspired by 1960s paperback book cover type of look for the one on the left, which is full of Autopian Things like DKW 2-stroke engines and Saab Aztec wheels and YJ Jeeps and Dodge A100 vans and Peugeot taillights and Tatras in front of pyramids, and so on.
The one on the right is sort of a Soviet Constructivist/American Jet Age mashup with a big block V8 in the background.
Oh, and yes, that is a Messerschmitt Tiger there, along with a Berkeley Sport SE328 and an Aston Martin Cygnet!
There’s car-specific ones, like this one, because we got ourselves a real-ass Herbie here, bishes!
That, of course, delights me, knowing that I’ll have at least this sentient Volkswagen to talk to after David and I get into a fight about grammar. Again.
I also made a big Batmobile banner for this original-series Batmobile (the second one built), complete with blueprints.
And, of course, we have a display for the legendary Daisy, which should be reason enough to come to our booth. This is the only one in the known universe!
Here’s a nice tour from Autopian co-founder Beau, taking over when the Roomba called in for a personal day:
This is going to be fun, and it’s open to the public starting Friday! I’ll be there, and we’ll be doing Car Trivia and giving out T-shirts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! Come out and say hi, dammit!
One thing left to do – dump a pile of loose rust and spaghetti around a chair and put David’s name on it
The Nyan cars are fun.
When the show is done, I’ll be happy to dispose of the graphics. They would make my garage / motor racing bar / wheelbarrow shrimp dispensary look killer.
That looks awesome! Wish I could come see it in person, but getting time off during the school year is not really a thing.
looks great!
I requested a PTO day on Friday specifically to attend the Auto Show — which likely means that the universe will go out of its way to come up with a crazy circumstance that will prevent me from attending. But barring all that, I hope to see you all there!
As a long-time graphic designer with a past history stuck in precisely this kind of last-minute conference and trade show pressure, 1: fan-effing-tastic designs, OMG! Bravo! 2: I understand EXACTLY the logistics of designing/producing/delivering this material. Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like a show deadline.
I’ve only worked on a few trade stands, but the amount of effort from different people that goes into creating something that looks as great as this, is staggering. Especially when you remember that it’s all going to be torn down in just a few days.
That’s not actually a crime, right? Asking for a friend.
It’s a lofty goal, but one I strive to achieve each new day, for sure ????
If grammar is causing arguments, perhaps it’s time to put her in a home.
Nice booth. I mean, it’s no John Wilkes, but visually it does strike like a shot to the head.
That is a really cool setup ya’ll have for the Autopian booth!
Matt: Jason gave me a drawing that said 18 inches. Now, whether or not he knows the difference between feet and inches is not my problem. I do what I’m told.
David: But you’re not as confused as him are you. I mean, it’s not your job to be as confused as Jason.
SWG: I really think you’re just making much too big a thing out of it.
David: Making a big thing out of it would have been a good idea.
Leave it to Autopia’s favorite goth uncle to lay down the perfect reference. Cheers, mate.
A tiny Stonehenge dancing around the Autopian booth for no discernible reason would be 100% on brand.
I want to like this but it goes to 11! I will golf clap instead.
We’ve got a model of a GMC motorhome that’s in danger of being crushed by a dwarf!
Come on that’s no way to talk about Jason.
I mean, he’s CLEARLY a gnome!
Now I have a severe, chronic and throbbing need to open my own deli just so that I can offer the signature sandwich “Torch’s Wet Tuna on Brioche”. One lucky door dash order will have their sammy hand delivered by the man himself in the ChangLi.
my 2 cents:
You mean…the bat knock-offs?
I love how the poster and car look just like the kit box and finished model. All while cleverly avoiding any trademark infringement (I hope)!
“That, of course, delights me, knowing that I’ll have at least this sentient Volkswagen to talk to after David and I get into a fight about grammar. Again.”
FWIW, David is correct. Your grammar is atrocious.
But your art skillz are amazing! What a delightful booth you all have there. An OG Batmobile AND Herbie the Love Bug??!! Dreamy… I wish I could attend and do a BACFLIP into the shrimp-barrow (thanks A. Barth!).
Yes?
No, Torch’s spelling is fine. It are his grammar that are bad. There’s many examples. (Gahhhh, it physically pains me to type that!)
His spelling is OK. No offense but the whole staff here needs to turn on spell check in their operating systems.
Well, Jason is an art major. However, it’s kind of sad that an engineer is schooling him.
Came for the Saab representation. Not disappointed.
I have to be that guy and say you did goof on one thing: The Batmobile was based on the Lincoln Futura concept car, not Ford. Pedantic, perhaps, but Ford Futura implies it could have been based on a ’60s Falcon or malaise era Fairmont.
Really wish I could attend the show, I’m not that far away but this week is already packed for me.
Think he was going for awesome absolute alliteration with that, but yeah I read it and my brain was like “something off with that?”
Also the big block sure looks like an LS
I’m glad it worked out for you, it looks great! However, there is a part of me that would have gotten some schadenfreude joy to see a Spinal Tap/Stonehenge moment.
“…yes, that is a Messerschmitt Tiger…”
Are you sure? It looks more like an FMR Tg500.
I love the Ratmobile! 🙂 Joking aside, it looks great!
One of these days I’ll find a Herbie to park my Scorpion next to and see what happens
If you change that to “F*cking Loser” you would have the acronym BACFLIP.
The graphics are fantastic! That sort of talent is as far outside of my wheelhouse as a really far-away thing, but I do like the results. The jet-age mashup just barely won the election in my head, thought the tally was something like 201 to 198 so it was close enough to a tie.
The Messerschmidt is a good choice, I think. IMO it represents the microcar segment in the same way that the Beetle represents the humble everyman car segment.
Have a great show!
Best.
Acronym.
EVER.
JT, I won’t keep saying this, but you gotta find Kevin Hart and bring him to your booth for an interview if he’s there. (Added bonus for you, you’d absolutely tower over him!)
Also, the booth looks great. Nice job. I’d love to watch the vid, but it won’t play. Any chance you can put it on your YouTube channel?
Is the Kevin Hart collection a competing Micro Car collection?
lol. Not in the least 🙂
https://laautoshow.com/kevinhartkollection/
I enjoy Beau’s Troy McClure-style opening. “Oh, hello there. You may remember me from such dealerships as…”
Crazy Vaclav’s Place of Automobiles.
“PUT IT IN H!”
Those graphics look amazing Torch! I wish I was there to see them in person.
Just wanted to say “Great job,, Torch!!” The booth is in good hands.
And Beau, you can vacuum my rug any time.
Wait.
That came out badly.
You said “came”. Uhhuhhuhuhhuh. Yeah! Yeah!
THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!
One way or another, someone’s rug is getting sucked.
Is there some shag-carpeting-in-the-back membership tier of which I’m unaware??
I like my floor bare and waxed.