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Jelani Aliyu
Doing Nigeria Proud

AmanaOnline

  July 24, 2007

Jelani Aliyu, an indigene of Sokoto State, Nigeria, is based in the United States and is General Motors Lead Exterior Designer and the designer of the Chevy Volt. He designed the state-of-the-art electric car for General Motors, the world’s largest automobile makers. The car has been described as an American Revolution and hottest concept in the design line.

Jelani was born in 1966 in Kaduna, to Alhaji Aliya Haidara and Sharifiya Hauwa’u Aliyu. The fifth of seven children, theirs is a very close-knit family. For him, it was an amazing experience growing up in Sokoto, surrounded by the rich culture of the people and the state and enjoying excellent access to the latest and international information.

From 1971 to 1978, he attended Capital School, Sokoto, an excellent school and this served as a very productive educational experience for him. In 1978, he gained admission into Federal Government College, Sokoto, from where he graduated in 1983 with an award as the best in Technical Drawing. Jelani was privileged to meet and make many good friends from all parts of the country and beyond during this time. He had tremendous encouragement and mentoring from his family and friends and his creative art developed. He drew a lot, designed his own cars, and even built scale models of them, complete with exteriors and interiors.

After FGC, he got admission into the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study Architecture, but soon discovered that the curriculum did not support his future vision and plans. After considering other institutions in Nigeria and their academic programmes, he concluded that only one of them had the study criteria that would support his future goals. The institution in which he chose to pursue his education was one he felt offered the best creative programmes and had experience that would give him the best foundation required to study Automobile Design abroad. That institution was the Birnin Kebbi Polytechnic.

He was there from 1986 to 1988 and earned an associate degree in Architecture, with an award as Best All-Round Student. While there, he did some indepth research into home design and construction, looking into materials and structures that would be most compatible with our environment and climate; buildings that would stay cool in a hot environment with little, or no artificial electrical air conditioning.

Upon graduation from the polytechnic, Jelani worked for a while at the Ministry of Works, Sokoto, then in 1990, gained admission in the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, to study Automobile Design. Having successfully secured sponsorship from the Sokoto Scholarship Board, he left for America to begin his four year degree programme.

Having always wanted to study Automobile Design, this was a dream come true and an absolutely fascinating experience. The course was very practical and emphasis was put on creativity and the development of new designs to provide solutions. While there, he worked on a number of projects in collaboration with some major automobile companies, professionals and executives, including:

- 1992, Mercedes Benz Future Status Symbol Project with the then chief designer, Bruno Sacco.

- 1993, Lear (Major Interior Component Supplies) Minivan Interior Project.

- 1993, Advanced Vehicle Design with Chuck Jordan (Former GM chief designer).

- 1994, Chrysler Exterior and Interior Project.

- 1994, Toyota Future Car Project (thesis).

Further awards gained were one from Ford Motor Company and another from Michelin, USA.

Jelani graduated in 1994 with a degree in Automobile Design and got hired by General Motors to work as the Corporation Design Staff. His first assignment was in the Advanced Studies where future design strategy for the company was explored. He had always been interested in advanced work, as it deals with understanding the market’s future and strategising effective products to make the company competitive and profitable.

In 1997, the company began design work on the Buick Rendezvous, Jelani was the lead interior designer and the vehicle was to be a first of its type for that division. After this, in 1999, he went to Germany to work at Opel, which is a General Motors division in Europe. While there, he worked on Astra, the company’s highest selling vehicle in Europe and Brazil, their most important project. He lived in Wiesbaden, a city just outside of Frankfurt and about thirty minutes from Russelsheim, where the Opel studios were.

Wedding bells rang when in 2001, Jelani Aliyu took Hadiza Dogondaji, also from Sokoto, to be his wife. They presently live in Detroit, Michigan and are blessed with two children, Hauwa’u (Amira) and Aliyu (Mubarak). It was in that same year (2001), that Jelani returned to the US to become senior and lead exterior designer and started work on the Pontiac G6, overseeing its complete exterior design. The G6 is now on sale in America and Canada.

Presently, Mr. Jelani Aliyu is working on a special advance project he describes as being crucial to General Motors as the company moves forward as the largest and number one car company in the world. The project is, of course, highly confidential until the vehicles go on sale.

Of his job, this ingenious young man, who is doing Nigeria proud, says, "Automobile Design is a fascinating field. We conceptualise and design vehicles that people will love and find useful everyday; vehicles that will be emotionally irresistible and practically indispensable."

 

College for Creative Studies

The Work of CCS Alumni Shines at the 2007 North American International Auto Show

Anywhere that you looked during the 2007 North American International Auto Show the industry changing work of CCS alumni was on display.

Leading up to the Show preview week, the new General Motors exhibit space was one of NAIAS’ most anticipated elements. The 121,000-square-foot space, designed by Teckla Rhodes, director of Industrial Design and North American Design, General Motors Design Center and a 1981 industrial design graduate allowed visitors to experience more than just beautifully designed and executed cars and trucks. A more intuitive layout supported by enhanced, high-tech overhead and vehicle lighting; open spaces and clean lines; minimalist architecture and premium materials allowed visitors to experience GM’s eight distinctive brands in unique, gallery-type settings within a unified, GM-themed environment. The individual brand displays surround GM’s advanced technology-themed corporate display.
As the show preview opened and the unveilings began CCS alumni were in the spotlight.

One of the most talked about concepts unveiled at the Show was the Chevy Volt, a revolutionary battery-powered electric vehicle that uses a gas engine to create additional electricity, thereby extending its range. The design team was lead by Anne Asensio, executive director, GM Design and a 1986 industrial design alumnus. Other CCS alumni involved in the design include Bob Boniface, design director, GM Design, lead exterior designer on the concept and a 1993 industrial design graduate and Jelani Aliyu, creative designer, GM Design, lead designer on the concept and a 1994 industrial design graduate.

Hyundai announced an upper midsize crossover, the Veracruz, designed by Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center and a 1990 CCS grad. The Veracruz will be larger than Honda Pilot, have more cargo volume than the full-size Mercedes-Benz GL and offer sleek styling, a car-like ride and premium features. The Veracruz will feature standard equipment that includes the Hyundai Hideaway third-row seat that offers flexibility for up to seven passengers. It will be outfitted with a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Safety features will include available all-wheel drive, standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), standard side airbags and standard side-curtain airbags for all three rows of passengers.

Ralph Gilles, vice president - Jeep®/Truck and Component Design, Chrysler Group and a 1992 industrial design graduate, had a busy Show, unveiling new versions of the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans. With all-new interior and exterior designs and 35 new or improved features, these minivans, which will arrive this fall, are like family rooms on wheels. Five models, three distinct seating and storage systems and three powertrains offer the right ingredients for active lifestyles. The newest ingredient for functional family seating is the Swivel-n-Go seating system, which features second-row seats to swivel 180 degrees to face third row seats and allows for the installation of a removable table between the two rows. Other available features include a voice-activated navigation system, power sliding doors and liftgate, pinpoint LED lighting and a dual DVD system that plays different media at the same time.

The Polaris Revolver concept, designed by Matt Tandrup, lead industrial designer, Polaris Industries, and 1998 industrial design graduate, was on display as part of the Michelin Challenge Design exhibit. Originally designed for the European market, the Revolver concept is a purpose-built vehicle designed to deliver both off-road performance and a new level of on-road capability. Revolver provides an awesome new driving experience with an uncommonly urban edge of sharp, aggressive attitude. Every sculpted detail works in concert with one another to create a look and feel that reflects the experience and attitude this vehicle provides. The Revolver concept made its International debut at the Paris Motorcycle Show in November 2005. The Motorcycle Design Association nominated the Revolver as one of eight vehicles to be considered for their “Best of Show” award.

It was an award winning year for CCS alum, with General Motors’ unprecedented sweep of the Car & Truck of the year honors. The Chevy Silverado was named Truck of the Year with a design team full of CCS alumni including Jim Fleming, Janet Avigne, Nick Armstrong, Dave Lyon, Ali Khan Kuljanov, Michael Stapleton, Jeff Denison, Andrew Kem, Chris Laramie, Carrie Marchand. The design team for the Car of the Year winning Saturn Aura includes CCS alumni Tim Kozub, Crystal Windham, Karyn Leland-Najjar and Kathy Sirvio.

Incorporate pictures of the GM Exhibit, Chevy Volt, Hyundai Veracruz, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Polaris Revolver, Chevy Silverado and Saturn Aura.


 




 




 
  
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