Explorer: Futuristic Vehicles for Uncharted Lands - Paperback

by Christian Grajewski (Artist)

The year is 2065. The end of Earth and all its habitants is imminent. Using the world's greatest technologies, a new generation of highly advanced, autonomous robotic vehicles is developed to explore new lands for human colonization.

Inspired by legendary futurists such as Syd Mead (Blade Runner), German industrial designer and concept artist Christian Grajewski used his expert knowledge of automotive design and his fascination with animal anatomy to create fifteen stunning, interplanetary vehicles. Each varies in size and technological capabilities, yet they are unified by one overarching goal: to preserve the human race.

From the stealth rotorcraft Hornet to the massive space transporter Orca, the designs of Explorer were fueled by Grajewski's deep desire to launch vehicles beyond Earth's solar system. He drew from his professional experience working on the design team at Volkswagen Design Center Potsdam, where he developed concepts for such carmakers as Lamborghini, Audi, and Porsche. Explorer compiles Grajewski's early sketches, wondrous renderings, and design reflections that together make a case for historic multinational cooperation and the incredible innovations such collaborations can achieve.

Author Biography

Christian Grajewski is a professional automotive interior and industrial designer. After training as a metal worker by building lifeboats, he decided to follow his passion and study product design at the Hochschule Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Christian earned his Diplom (FH) degree as a designer in summer 2008. In July 2008, he started working for the Volkswagen Group Future Center Europe GmbH in Potsdam, Germany, as an interior designer. During his eight years at the studio, he was able to work for Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Seat, Skoda, and VW on concept projects Estoque, Aventador, and Huracán from Lamborghini; the VW Milano Taxi and Taigun; as well as the Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e. In January 2016, he started a one-year sabbatical to work on his own project and improve his skills. He started working again for the Volkswagen Group Future Center Europe GmbH in January 2017, but decided to leave his job in October 2017 to follow his dream of creating Explorer: Futuristic Vehicles for Uncharted Lands. Though from November 2017 to February 2018 he worked as an industrial designer for the autonomous robotic startup Zoox, in March 2018 he started a second sabbatical to continue working on his private project. Christian strives to improve his skills as much as possible as a creative person. His favorite software tools include Autodesk Alias Surface, Fusion 360, ZBrush, KeyShot, Octane, Cinema 4D, Photoshop, Illustrator, Daz 3D, and Marvelous Designer.