This week has seen a childhood dream become reality for UWTSD Swansea College of Art Automotive Design graduate Patrick Carton. Now at McLaren and working as a designer, he is helping to create new and innovative automotive products.
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And he couldn’t be more proud of the McLaren Speedtail, a project he has been closely involved with as part of a dedicated team from start to finish. The Speedtail is McLaren’s first ever Hyper-GT.
“A pure fusion of science and art in automotive form. Our most aerodynamically efficient car ever. And the fastest McLaren to date. With a pioneering 1050PS hybrid powertrain at its core. It brings together unprecedented levels of innovation and elegance to create a new benchmark in automotive design” McLaren
“From sketch to reality, it’s been the realisation of a childhood dream for me,” said Patrick. “I’d also like to say well done to everyone in this amazing team in which I am very lucky to be a part of – and thank you to every teacher, tutor, friend and family member home and abroad that in any way big or small, helped to make this happen. It’s a dream job.”
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Since graduating in 2013, Patrick has received a number of awards and recognitions for his work. He was awarded the Pilkington Vehicle Design Award at the 2016 RCA Degree Show by judges from Audi, Jaguar and Pilkington NSG for a self-sustainable car that can generate electricity from rain, wind and sunlight in 2016. And in the same year, he was selected to exhibit his final MA project at the Global Grad Show in Dubai, during the Dubai Design Week 2016.
In 2017 he was named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list. The list highlights 300 Young Disruptors, Entrepreneurs and Innovators from Europe across 10 industries who are changing our world.
Patrick demonstrated from the start of his course that he was destined for success, said Sergio Fontanarosa, UWTSD’s Programme Director Automotive Design.
“Patrick is another successful story from the Automotive Design course here at UWTSD. From the first day he showed great passion, a humble attitude, the willingness to learn and superb commitment. These are the perfect ingredients to succeed, not just in this trade but anywhere. It was no surprise to me that Patrick was selected by Forbes Magazine as the best 30 under 30 in Europe for 2017 and that he is going to shape some of the most prestigious British Dream cars of the future.”
Speaking about his time at UWTSD, Patrick said:
“I loved every minute of my time at Swansea and I do miss the close knit community there. The thing I value the most from the course was the one to one tuition that I had – that is something that you just don’t get anywhere else and it really gave me a head start when I graduated and I really wouldn’t be where I am today without the expertise, time and effort put in by the staff on the course.”
Professor Ian Walsh, Dean, Swansea College of Art said:
“As one of our star graduates of 2013 Patrick always stood out as a true design thinker. He possesses a genuine talent for combining beauty with advanced technology, without compromising either.”
