Cedarville University Students Reimagine the Mustang,Camaroand Challenger for 2035

TheFord Mustang,Chevy CamaroandDodge Challengerhave long defined American automotive appearance and performance. But behind every sleek exterior and precision detail lies the imagination of designers who shape the future of the industry.

Cedarville Design Students Take on Automotive Challenge

Seniors fromCedarville University’sindustrial andinnovativedesign programstudyingat theInternational Center for Creativity(ICC)inDublin, Ohio,recently tackled both therewards and challenges of automotive designin a five-week intensive course.

Working in brand-specific teams for the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, thesenior class envisioned the “2035 Pony Car,”a forward-looking concept and modeling project thattaughtreal-world industry practices throughhands-on experience.

“Although this course is not a sponsored project, it mirrors a real-world transportation design challenge,” said Tom Balliett, co-founder of the ICC andinstructor for the course. “Students work under authentic timelines, deliver against professional milestones, and arerequiredto manage their time and resources effectively. The result is a deeply experiential learning process that builds confidence, professionaldisciplineand a strong portfolio.”

Industry-Driven, Faith-Integrated Design Education

This hands-on approach reflects the broader philosophy of Cedarville’sdesignprogram, theleading program amongprivateChristian universities.

Operated in partnership with the ICC, the program emphasizes faith-integrated, industry-driven learning. Through relationships with companies, includingChick-fil-A, Honda and Answers in Genesis, students are routinely exposed to real-world design challenges that mirror those found in professional studios.

Concept Cars: Blending Brand HeritageWithInnovation

That philosophy came to life in the Pony Car project aseachteamdeveloped two design concepts for theirassignedbrand — a standard version and ahigh-performancemodel—resulting in six unique vehicle designs.Studentsassumedspecific roleswithin their teams includinglead designer, clay modeler,virtual reality(VR)modelerandcomponentdesigner.

“While the designs should pay homage to each brand’s historical roots,” said Balliett, “They must be new, forward-looking and original concepts, avoiding retro design in favor of fresh interpretations that push the boundaries of brand identity.”

Design Execution: Sketches, Clay Models and Digital Renderings

Throughout the course, students produced sketches, clay models with integrated 3D wheels and lights, CAD files with digital renderings, animations, VR models, foammodelsand interior concepts. Theseproject deliverables encouraged students to combine creativity, technicalskilland brand heritage to design the future of an American automotive icon.The project concluded with a finalpresentationfeaturing1:7 scale clay models,integrated 3D-printedcomponentsand detailed renderings that capturedthe style,personalityand design intent ofeachvehicle.

“I learned a lot from this project both as a designer and a child of God,” said DavidStralnic, a seniorinnovation andindustrialdesignstudent fromValparaiso, Indiana. “The biggesttakeawayfor mewas how to be a good teammate. To succeed, we all had to goabove and beyondexpectations. I worked on the CAD models and 3D prints for our clay model, but I also worked onwhatever other 3D printswere needed toenhance our model.”

Building Skills in Communication and Adaptability

In addition totechnicalproficiency,the studentsstrengthened theircommunication,collaborationandcreative problem-solving skillsthrough daily critiques and design reviews.

“The most challenging part for me was learning to be okay with multiple changes in my design,” saidStralnic. “I learned what it is like to work on a team, servemy team and dependon them, and I learned to be willing tomodify my ideasfor the overall design orto match the preferences of a lead or client.”

Guestpresenters— includingItalian automotive designer Boris Fabris,localindustrialdesigner and claysculptorBrian Shaneand ICC co-founder Jim Stevenson— providedadditionalexpertise into the design process and professional expectations.

Preparing for Careers in Automotive and Beyond

“We teach what I like to call a‘Swiss-Army-knife approach’to design,” said Balliett. “We equipstudents with versatile, transferable abilities that open doors not only in automotive styling but also in product development, prototypingand advanced fabrication.This prepares them for roles across the transportation and mobility spectrum, from clay sculpting and VR design to color and trim,or even product and prototype development for leading OEMs and tier suppliers.”

At the ICC, education extends beyond designproficiencyand aesthetics to include purpose and a servant’s mindset.Students are challenged to consider how abiblical worldview intersects with their profession and howto serve others through design.

“Ultimately, Iwant students to see that design is more than styling—it’sempathy in action,” said Balliett.“By following a disciplined process and applying design thinking, they learn to balance creativity with strategy and purpose. Whether designing an automobile, a consumer productor a mobility solution, the principlesremainthe same: understand people,identifyneedsand deliver excellence through collaboration and craft.”

About Cedarville University

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offersundergraduateandgraduateresidential and online programs across arts,sciencesand professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more atcedarville.edu.