Why do concept car artists love chromed wheels?

For those who have studied fine arts or are concept artists, could you please explain to me why concept arts (3D or not) almost always use a super chromed silver wheel to show the new car? Why not a touch of dark grey?

Is it to show form/space and function?
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not trying to be smart here but i for one as a designer dont like Chrome wheels, however i do love brushed aluminium or some other type of brushed metal, and i simply put them for the simple reason that i just like the look, if black or smoked would look better on a certain car i just put that,...

 

interesting question. Usually it boils down to personal preference. Some people like myself aren't fond of black wheels for several reasons.
The wheel is an important detail in the design of a vehicle. when painted black or a very dark value, that detail is lost against the black tire surrounding it.
The result is a 'black hole' as part of the graphics of the design. Obviously many people like this effect, which would explain the popularity of dark wheels.
A wheel design can set the overall tone of a design, good or bad.
Witness the outrage when someone posts a photo of a 'non standard' 5 spoke wheel on a Ferrari. Some get their panties all tied up in a knot.
Try putting yellow wheels on a car, or some unusual finish, and wait for the outcry

When I was making my living designing production cars every day, we used to have this debate frequently. Choosing wheels is like choosing a tie to go with a suit ( for those who remember ties & suits). There simply is no right/wrong answer. The wheels are round and a given size, so it becomes a matter of personal taste & appropriateness for the overall vehicle design.
There's a reason for the huge size of the aftermarket wheel industry. It's an easy way to change to 'look' of one's ride without significant changes to the body.

So it's a matter of personal taste.....no right or wrong answer. Just a different look.
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^^^that white 458 with the red wheels looks awesome.

what type of wheel is that?

 

Flamboyant Rossa... not that there's anything wrong with that.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

S60 | Brixton

 

so the latest issue of hot Rod magazine arrives today with the top 10 trends for 2015.....go figure:

Brightly-Colored Wheels
This is migrating over from the exotic car world. It’s a risky move, but it’s very attention getting, and will look great in track action. Love it or hate it, we’re happy to see a move away from the all-black wheel trend of the past few years.

Read more: Top 10 Automotive Trends From the 2014 SEMA Show
Follow us: @HotRodMagazine on Twitter | HotRodMag on Facebook
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cool, thanks! wasn't aware of them.

get with the times, Beaks!

it's really migrating over from the JDM and drift worlds...then exotics...now muscle cars/hot rods.

 

anyone remember the '80's?
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a friend had a Pontiac exactly like that in high school. same color and everything.

 

they were very cool for their time....

 

well let's not get carried away

 

Stand by my original statement

 

Unfortunately, I don't remember much of the 1980s except Sesame Street, Transformers, Nerf guns, and chocolate chip cookies. It's the decade in which I was born.

I'm afraid getting with the times is not one of my strong suits. I'll have to stay put and wait for the times to circle back around to pick me up.

Did you work on that particular Pontiac?

All the best,
Andrew.

 

They're easier to sketch

 

My pals did, I was working on the ill fated Saturns at that time IIRC

 

You know, it'd be fun to see a thread listing (with pictures) all the cars you've worked on over the years. "John's Automotive Timeline" or something like that.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Andrew, thank you for the gracious invitation, but I'll respectfully decline the invitation for any number of reasons. The good, the bad & the ugly, etc. ......

however, I can say that it is impossible for me to sit at a traffic light in the USA or Canada and not see several cars I had a hand in the design of. There's a real rush associated with that feeling......even with the good, the bad & the ugly

 

Well, if you ever fancy sharing a list, you know how to find me.

If I got the chance, I'd love to do a "modern" 348. I don't mean a modern V8 Ferrari, but an updated refreshed version that has similar aesthetics and feel to the original. I'm sure it would horrify both modern and classic car enthusiasts alike. I would essentially be designing a 1 of 1 just for me - a bit like a Special Project but smaller scale.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

So what you're saying is you're responsible for the Aztec?

 

thankfully I had absolutely nothing to do with that particular design......but was able to watch the train wreak from close proximity

 

how so?
easier to sketch glossy V. black?

 

me too, I'd love to know all the stuff you worked on. put it in Rossa or Silver if you want to be....incognito

 

Rossa it is then!

 

Yes, on a white paper...