ABOUT
Frédéric Gasson
I like to make desirable what transports us
EXPERTISE
After studying mechanical engineering in 1999 and 2 years in the automotive industry as a CAD modeler (Catia & NX), I trained in Alias in 2003 to join the design offices of car manufacturers. Historical modeling, used by engineering software and transposed into Alias, accelerated my modeling skills. I was able to put these skills to good use, working as a subcontractor for Renault-Design for 3 years (designing the brand’s concept cars) and as CAD manager for Bugatti Germany, for 5 years. After this period, I set off on my own as a freelancer.
An experienced user of Autodesk’s Alias interface, I became a beta tester over the years. This commitment to the editor naturally led me to become a trainer for users of the tool. In this capacity, I sometimes take part in master classes for the brand or at conventions.
AWARDED PROJECTS
Some of the projects I’ve been involved in have won national and international awards.
The Multicoque of the year
2022
best interior design for sailing catamarans
2022
Yacht Of The Year
2022
“Keeping the passion alive”
SIDE PROJECTS
A true enthusiast never stops!
Outside of work, my love of beautiful shapes and crazy inventions,
leads me to some pretty crazy side projects.
Here are a few of them
Airplane pilot
Mastering machines… in the air! That’s what I needed to see things through to the end. I’ve got an SEP pilot’s license, and I’m going to tease the clouds as soon as my schedule permits.
Biscuiter Voisin
2024
This hybrid vehicle, designed by Gabriel Voisin, was born of his conviction that the future lay in the depletion of resources. The C31 model I own is one of 15,000 produced in the 50s: 250kg aluminum body, 75km/h, 2 1/2 seats, trunk, spare wheel, luggage rack, soft top… All for the equivalent of €2500 today! My example won me the “Coup de Cœur” prize in the Concours d’Elegance at the Rétro Festival de Caen 2024.
Big Frog
In 2009, I set out to “fly a big frog” by joining the team behind the Big Frog, a French-designed diesel racing plane, as Technical Director. I supervised the assembly of this carbon aircraft, then the preparation and integration of the SMA diesel engine into the airframe. The Bog Frog design was commissioned to take part in the famous American ‘Reno Air Race2011′. It finished first in the qualifiers in the Sport-Bronze class.
Rutan Solitaire
Restoring a Solitaire was an exciting challenge. This duck glider, designed by Burt Rutan, offered me an unforgettable flying experience, but also a few surprises. The first flights highlighted the specificities of this type of aircraft, particularly in terms of piloting and ground handling. Despite a few incidents, I was able to make the necessary modifications to make this Solitaire reliable and efficient.
Bugatti 100P
My fascination with Bugatti led me to work on the feasibility of the 100P: a racing plane designed in 1939 by Bugatti and never flown. The idea for the project can be summed up in one question: “Why not fly it one day?” The 100P is a fascinating aerodynamic study and an avant-garde piece of engineering. From this personal exploration came an RC model and scale 1 replica.
FIAT BARCHETTA COUPÉ
2022
The FIAT BARCHETTA COUPÉ is my 1st automotive project. In 2003, I finalized a series of 5 HardTops for the Fiat Barchetta cabriolet… I was learning to make the transition from traditional modeling to digital bodywork on Alias. In all, 5 “Gasson HardTops” were produced: 3 are in regular use and 2 others were supplied as kits.
“As a child, I wanted to be the one to build tomorrow’s space shuttle.”
FROM DREAM TO REALITY
As a child of the 80s, one event particularly marked my youth: the Challenger shuttle lift-off. This (tragic) episode in NASA’s history left such an indelible mark on my mind that I became fascinated by the conquest of space and aviation. Reading magazines, I dream of airplanes and… designing the space shuttle of the future! And that’s just the beginning. At the time, I had no idea that this dream would become a reality, and that one day I’d be taking part in fabulous projects such as the Dark Star, the plane from the film “Top Gun 2”.
My roots are in Normandy, near Caen I went to school there and, after the baccalaureate, I joined one of the town’s vocational high schools. The school was home to a model-making club, and I was obviously very interested in the world of model-making. Alongside my studies, I explore the paths my creative soul leads me down. So I joined a rock band (Super Sans Plomb 98…Don’t look for an archive on the Internet, you won’t find it! ) With rock as my fad, guess what I presented as my end-of-year project? A guitar (to taunt my teacher) Even back then, these anecdotes underlined the parallels between modeling and music.
After graduating in 1999 with a Technical University Diploma in Mechanical and Production Engineering, I flew to Germany and spent 2 years in the automotive design sector. In 2002, I entered the prestigious SBARRO school in Pontarlier, near Paris.
Médias
My story, the story of my profession, my career, sometimes attracts media interest. See my appearances below:
Functions and partnerships
SINCE 2018
RealNum CD & VR
Caen / Montauban – France
CO-MANAGER
Halfway between styling and engineering, RealNum’s core business is modeling lines and volumes.
Thanks to surfacing and Digital Reality, we make the most audacious projects of designers and architects a reality.
SINCE 2007
Take Off Concept
Caen airport – France
MANAGER
Contribution of digital modeling expertise on automotive (bodywork and interiors) and aeronautical projects.
Follow-up of customer digital models and development of 3D tools.
SINCE 2014
VPLP Design
Paris, France
MODELER & CONSULTANT
Digital modeling support for the customer’s naval architecture projects.
Relationship between the Design department, headed by Patrick Le Quément, and Marc Van Peteghem’s team of naval architects.
.
2016
Lucid Motors
San Francisco – United States
EXPERT 3D MODELER
Short assignment as a senior modeler to create the interior design for one of the brand’s projects in preparation for industrialization.
2015
FarVintech LLC
Los Angeles – United States
3D MODELER and ALIAS TRAINER
2015
Faraday Future
Los Angeles – United States
3D MODELER
Short experience (less than a year) as a 3D modeler for the brand’s vehicles.
2008 – 2012
Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
Germany
HEAD OF DIGITAL MODELING
Digital Modeling Manager – In charge of the quality and developm.ent of digital models for the exterior and interior design of the brand’s high-end vehicles. Within the group, collaboration with Ben Payne and Etienne Salomé.
2008
Volkswagen Design center
Potsdam – Germany
DIGITAL MODELER
Modelage numérique
2007 – 2008
BMW (Technicon Design) Design center
Munchen – Allemagne
DIGITAL DESIGNER
On-site digital modeler for brand projects.
2004-2008
Numéro Design
Paris – France
DIGITAL MODELER – PROVIDER
Digital realization on Renault Altica, Nepta, Laguna coupé, Dacia Stepp, Faurecia Premium Attitude and Peugeot Flux concept cars.
Numéro Design is a small company of 10 people (8 digital modelers and 2 designers/graphic artists).
Projects for D3-Pininfarina, ADD, Renault, PSA, Ligier, Kia, Faurecia…
2006 – 2007
Hyundaï Motor Europe
Russelsheim, Alsace, France
MODELER
Modeling the brand’s 2006-2007 models.
2003
ABMI – LOHR
Duppigheim, Alsace – France
PROJECT DESIGNER – DIGITAL MODELER
Development of composite parts for the Trans-LOHR tramway in conjunction with the design department.
Design, drawing and prototyping of composite parts; 3D modeling (NX and Alias) with the design department on the NTL Translohr (Tram) project.
- Exterior rearview mirror
- Interior screen housing
- Dashboard and console
- Shock absorber
Experience in the design office. Very successful company, very interesting mission. Leaving the position to join the automotive design field.
2002
Active-Tech (Triad-études)
Secteur géographique
3D SERVICE SUPPLIER for ACTIVE TECH
Design of plastic parts (toys, household appliances…)
Automotive fuel system design.
Follow-up of series projects (modification of customer specifications, product validations and updates, etc.).