In this edition of ‘5+1’ we spoke to Kate Hunt about her job in a male-dominated environment, her impressive drawing skills, her fascination for cars and her favourite form of transportation.

1. You are an industrial designer and currently you are working as a footwear designer. How does it look in your branch of industry? Is it also male-dominated as the mobility industry? 

My whole education in design, from school to university and my career so far in footwear design has been in male-dominated environments. My first experience in the footwear industry was working in a design team with eleven males and two females, including myself, so I certainly noticed an imbalance. However, the company I work for is extremely supportive and encouraging of young female footwear designers and I have always been treated equally. Aside from my full-time job, I also notice how male-dominated the auto industry is in my side business of photorealistic drawing. All drawing requests for cars either come from males or the wives/partners as a gift to their male-half.  

2. When did you discover your passion for drawing?

From a young age art has always been an interest. If I liked an artist’s style, I would try and replicate it and I soon became very good at copying. I acquired an interest in photorealism because I loved the challenge of developing enough skill to produce a drawing that looked photographic. I started taking drawing more seriously aged 16 when I completed my first paid drawing commission. Since then I have been short-listed for an RSA Design Award (Commended) and for ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ by the Fine Art Guild, had two Fine Art collections published and work displayed in the Mall Gallery, London. 
I have drawn many private commissions including motor vehicles, pets and portraits as well as collaborating with brands such as Adidas, Mercedes-Benz and Vue cinemas.
My real passion for cars started when commissioned to draw a collection of classic cars, the first one being a silver Lancia Flaminia Zagato.

3. What fascinates you about cars and which car did you like to draw most?

From a design perspective I love the fluid lines and elegant shapes, especially classic cars. It’s just a beautifully designed object to draw. From a technical drawing aspect, I find cars are the perfect challenge as every single car is different, but they all have the same elements - shiny surfaces, reflections, intricate details, large panels, hidden colours. My favourite car drawing so far is a blue Ferrari 330 GTC. A super elegant car in pale turquoise-blue.

4. You have drawn the design icon of Mercedes-Benz, the G-Class. How long did you spend on this drawing? Which drawing have you been working on the longest?

The G-wagon took around 20 hours over three days which was one of the longest car drawings I’ve completed. The time was greatly increased because I was also filming the process, setting up camera shots and editing as I went along. I love capturing close-up shots and creating films of the drawing process but I’m still getting used to the distraction of a camera under my nose. My longest drawing was of Brad Pitt on A1 paper, it took 40 hours.   

5. How do you get around in everyday life? What is your favorite form of transportation and why? 

I previously lived and worked in Amsterdam, the second most bike-friendly city, so cycling was essential experience. The most useful possession I owned, costing 70 euros(!) was a classic ‘dutch-style’ bike with coaster brakes. After cycling to work every day it became my favourite mode of transport. I’m now living in Nuremberg, but I still prefer to cycle 26 kilometers to work in summer. It’s great to get some fresh air and exercise after a long day at work and it doesn’t cost a penny.

And the +1 question for you: “If you could take a month-long road trip, what would be your vehicle and what route would you take?”

– Unimog - London to New York via Russia (answer via Instagram)

Pictures: Kate Hunt
Interview: Britta Reineke