Dragons Fairies & The Wild West

Brief

From Childhood Aspiration to Restored Dream

This project goes beyond simple car restoration; it symbolises the fulfilment of a childhood dream cherished for over four decades. Inspired by classic Cadillac and Ford F100 designs since the age of 10, our client envisioned owning these vehicles one day. Despite teachers viewing her aspirations as ambitious, her mother provided unwavering support, nurturing her spirit.

At 13, our client embarked on an entrepreneurial journey by creating and selling pillows – a remarkable testament to her early ambition. By 14, fate intervened when she discovered her desired Ford F100 at a car yard. With resolute determination and her mother’s steadfast encouragement, our client defied expectations by acquiring the vehicle not for driving illegally but as the foundation of her growing business.

Over the next 30 years, the F100 faithfully accompanied our client, traversing numerous markets from Flemington to Canberra to Bathurst. This dependable workhorse never failed, becoming an extension of her identity. In 2020, the desire to restore the F100 to its former glory with a touch of enchantment emerged.

Design

Dreamscape on Wheels

Our client’s childhood fascination with dragons and cowboys inspired the transformation of the F100, aiming to adorn the truck with these fantastical elements. Combining these themes directly posed a visual challenge, leading to a solution that defied traditional design boundaries.

From Book Illustrations to Automotive Canvas

Initial limitations arose from source images extracted from a beloved children’s book due to their small size and low resolution. Scaling them to fit the expansive truck surface while maintaining noticeable pixelation demanded a creative approach.

Reimagining and Refining

The team meticulously hand-drew every detail after scanning the images, adding elements not present in the originals. This meticulous process, consuming numerous hours, produced stunning results by effectively converting the illustrations into vibrant digital renderings.

Balancing Fantasy and Western Roots

Sourcing high-resolution imagery related to our client’s admiration for RM Williams and the Wild West facilitated design development for the latter part. The team harmoniously blended these contrasting themes to ensure a natural and visually captivating flow.

Digital Vision, Real-Life Transformation

Departing from traditional paper printouts, the team directly presented finalised designs through digital renders. This method aimed to showcase the precision achievable in translating digital creativity into tangible application, enabling our client to envision the exact outcome on her cherished F100.

Material and Supplies

Opting for Avery Dennison print media and high gloss laminate film supplied by Graphic Art Mart ensured exceptional results for this project. This material combination consistently delivers durability, vibrant colour reproduction, and a flawless finish, allowing us to focus on realising our client’s unique vision without performance concerns.

Installation

Navigating Curves and Edges: A Strategic Approach

The age and ruggedness of the F100 posed unique installation challenges that our team approached strategically. Rough edges, especially around seams and trim areas, presented risks of vinyl lifting. Rather than forcing a wrap application, we adopted a strategic method.

Prioritising Key Surfaces for Optimal Adhesion

Choosing stopping points approximately 15mm before intricate edges instead of full coverage ensured optimal adhesion on smooth surfaces while avoiding potential lifting areas.

Meticulous Edge Finishing for a Seamless Look

Prepping and spraying exposed edges black allowed for seamless blending, ensuring a flawless visual transition. This innovative technique resulted in a confident finish that eliminated concerns about vinyl lifting while preserving the intricate design’s integrity.