Welcome to Stilmore Designs. I am Steve Gilmore, the designer behind the work seen on this site. I hope you enjoy it! For those interested in learning more about me, here is a brief history of my career.

As a child, I wore out the knees on many pair of jeans pushing around Matchbox cars. I loved cars, and each week, I couldn’t wait to get my allowance so I could purchase the coolest new 1:64 car! Not long after, I started customizing the small cars, much to the dismay of my parents, Roger and Cheryl. While I initially believed Testors paint did wonders, I found I had a lot to learn.

I soon was constantly sketching cars. Everyone encouraged my artistic work, including my grandmother, who took me to art classes in Wheeling, WV. But, all too often, my school notebooks contained too many car sketches and not enough class notes! After promising my parents that I would improve my grades, I received a project car. At the time, I didn’t know that all the sketches of my little 72 VW were laying the groundwork for my career as an automotive designer.

When I started, I didn’t know exactly what an automotive designer was. But, I knew I wanted to be one. I was sure all the automotive companies in Detroit had people drawing cars and building models. Growing up in a small town in Ohio, I had little exposure to this type of work. My parents, like many others, expressed concern that I would be a “starving artist.” However, after some hard work, I learned I could do artistic work and actually get paid for it!

I attended the University of Cincinnati where I studied Industrial Design. I learned a great deal about sketching and rendering, but the greatest experiences I had while at UC were in the internship program. I had the opportunity to work for Hot Wheels and DaimlerChrysler, among others, which provided me with the tools I needed to move into an automotive design career.

In 2000, I started working for Ford in their Dearborn, MI design studios. I have worked on numerous projects, including the F250 Super Chief show truck, 2005 Mustang interior, the 2004-2008 Harley-Davidson F-series pickups, and various SEMA projects for different companies.

After I made the move to Michigan, I met Amber. We were married in 2003, and Amber has realized her own love for design in a job that utilizes her graphic design skills. We currently reside in Redford, MI with our two spoiled Dachshunds.