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TIGRAN DREAMS OF DESIGNING CARS FOR PRODUCTION IN ARMENIA
Vahe Sarukhanyan
http://hetq.am/en/society/tigran-kharatyan/
2010/11/01 | 13:30
Feature Stories society
Drawing Sketches While Serving in the Army
I met Tigran a year and half ago while in serving in the army. Their
company was sent to our division on a visiting tour.
He was mainly addressed by his surname, Kharatyan, or more directly
was called the "painter". Automobile sketches, painted in the guy's
notebooks, did not impress me at first glance; I just figured the
professional artist had a talented sketching hand. But very soon,
when I was transferred to the company where he was serving, my
opinion changed.
Tigran had a small collection of pictures, especially automobile
sketches which, during his free time, were inseparable from him. He
was so preoccupied with new ideas that he would even draw at night
while other soldiers were asleep.
The following morning he would suddenly take the file out of the
cabinet and show us a new sketch. When I asked when he had found the
time to finish the sketch, he would smile and say, last night. He
also had other interests. He would make wooden jewelry boxes and
small musical instruments as souvenirs. But his main occupation was
to create new automobile models.
According to his parents, Tigran started drawing at 3 or 4 years old,
and his first drawing was a car. While studying at Center for Arts and
Crafts and School of Fine Arts, his interest towards cars grew. At
the age of 12, he started building model cars made out of wood or
paper. Later on he created his own designs.
Tigran is a painter and an educator by profession. He graduated from
the Vanadzor Teachers' Institute. After his army discharge he studied
at the Yerevan State university of Architecture and Construction to
become an environmental designer, but his main goal was to become
involved in auto manufacturing. While true that there is no auto
manufacturing in Armenia, Tigran says that it is possible to start
small scale manufacturing with a minimal of investment
"I have a series of models planned for production in Armenia. They
are limited production sport cars that I think can be produced here
for the local and foreign market. One is a light, two passenger sports
car, capable of being driven on sand. It's suitable for a beach
environment. The market for such a vehicle will be the UAE, Iran,
and, why not, Turkey. I think there is no need for a large factory,
because the production will be limited to only 20-25 cars per month,
assembled by hand. "I will be happy if our local manufacturers put up
the funds so that the automobile carry a 'made in Armenia' label,"
says Tigran.
He develops these models with attention to all kinds of details - from
exterior looks and interior cabin design, to their construction and
functional features. On sketches and models of trucks and passenger
cars, Tigran emphasizes special technology and innovation in order
to find new design solutions.
Lately he has sent letters to foreign automobile manufacturers in
Germany, Japan, Russia, and Ukraine. Car king BMW has invited him
to bring his sketches to the company's Munich headquarters. Others
have responded in similar fashion. But the problem remains a lack of
financial resources.
Tigran says automobile design contests are frequently held abroad. One
of the conditions for participating is that designers appear in
person. Again, it's a question of finances.
Tigran is familiar with the work of successful Armenian automobile
designer located abroad. He has never given up hope that similar
success can be achieved right here in Armenia.
"It appears to me that this is a realistic plan. I am hopeful about
establishing ties with foreign companies. It will then be possible
to organize the production in Armenia. Low volume production does
not require large investment. It will be less expensive than foreign
production," he says.
"I think the light sport model will become a hit with our young
generation and car enthusiasts alike. In case of increased demand,
we'll expand into a line of different models and ratchet up
production,"
From: A. Papazian
Vahe Sarukhanyan
http://hetq.am/en/society/tigran-kharatyan/
2010/11/01 | 13:30
Feature Stories society
Drawing Sketches While Serving in the Army
I met Tigran a year and half ago while in serving in the army. Their
company was sent to our division on a visiting tour.
He was mainly addressed by his surname, Kharatyan, or more directly
was called the "painter". Automobile sketches, painted in the guy's
notebooks, did not impress me at first glance; I just figured the
professional artist had a talented sketching hand. But very soon,
when I was transferred to the company where he was serving, my
opinion changed.
Tigran had a small collection of pictures, especially automobile
sketches which, during his free time, were inseparable from him. He
was so preoccupied with new ideas that he would even draw at night
while other soldiers were asleep.
The following morning he would suddenly take the file out of the
cabinet and show us a new sketch. When I asked when he had found the
time to finish the sketch, he would smile and say, last night. He
also had other interests. He would make wooden jewelry boxes and
small musical instruments as souvenirs. But his main occupation was
to create new automobile models.
According to his parents, Tigran started drawing at 3 or 4 years old,
and his first drawing was a car. While studying at Center for Arts and
Crafts and School of Fine Arts, his interest towards cars grew. At
the age of 12, he started building model cars made out of wood or
paper. Later on he created his own designs.
Tigran is a painter and an educator by profession. He graduated from
the Vanadzor Teachers' Institute. After his army discharge he studied
at the Yerevan State university of Architecture and Construction to
become an environmental designer, but his main goal was to become
involved in auto manufacturing. While true that there is no auto
manufacturing in Armenia, Tigran says that it is possible to start
small scale manufacturing with a minimal of investment
"I have a series of models planned for production in Armenia. They
are limited production sport cars that I think can be produced here
for the local and foreign market. One is a light, two passenger sports
car, capable of being driven on sand. It's suitable for a beach
environment. The market for such a vehicle will be the UAE, Iran,
and, why not, Turkey. I think there is no need for a large factory,
because the production will be limited to only 20-25 cars per month,
assembled by hand. "I will be happy if our local manufacturers put up
the funds so that the automobile carry a 'made in Armenia' label,"
says Tigran.
He develops these models with attention to all kinds of details - from
exterior looks and interior cabin design, to their construction and
functional features. On sketches and models of trucks and passenger
cars, Tigran emphasizes special technology and innovation in order
to find new design solutions.
Lately he has sent letters to foreign automobile manufacturers in
Germany, Japan, Russia, and Ukraine. Car king BMW has invited him
to bring his sketches to the company's Munich headquarters. Others
have responded in similar fashion. But the problem remains a lack of
financial resources.
Tigran says automobile design contests are frequently held abroad. One
of the conditions for participating is that designers appear in
person. Again, it's a question of finances.
Tigran is familiar with the work of successful Armenian automobile
designer located abroad. He has never given up hope that similar
success can be achieved right here in Armenia.
"It appears to me that this is a realistic plan. I am hopeful about
establishing ties with foreign companies. It will then be possible
to organize the production in Armenia. Low volume production does
not require large investment. It will be less expensive than foreign
production," he says.
"I think the light sport model will become a hit with our young
generation and car enthusiasts alike. In case of increased demand,
we'll expand into a line of different models and ratchet up
production,"
From: A. Papazian