General Motors (GM) has long been committed to cultivating the next generation of talent in the automotive industry, particularly in the creative realm. A key component of that effort is GM Design’s Youth Modelers, Artists, and Designers (YMAD) program, which recently marked its 20th anniversary. The initiative, designed for middle and high school students, offers hands-on experience in automotive design and sculpting, helping young artists envision careers they may never have considered.
The 11-week course, which wrapped up in February, allows students to work directly with GM professionals, learning core skills such as sketching, digital sculpting, and color, material, and finish applications. The program aims to showcase the diverse career opportunities available in automotive design, a field that often takes a backseat to more traditional art careers like fine arts, video games, or filmmaking.
Since its inception, the YMAD program has evolved from a localized effort in Southeast Michigan to a nationwide initiative, drawing students from across the U.S. and even internationally. This year, 30 students participated in person, while 18 joined virtually, and four students from GM’s Pasadena studio also took part. The program now extends to a new partnership with the Northville Concours, where students will compete in a poster design challenge, with the winner’s design unveiled at the Northville Concours Founder’s Day Dinner in May.
As design college enrollment continues to decline, GM is responding by investing in pre-collegiate programs to ensure that the automotive industry continues to attract creative minds. With rising competition for top talent, GM ensures that its design pipelines are nurtured early.
In addition to the program’s core curriculum, GM has developed resources to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of students’ participation. This includes the creation of “YMAD kits,” which are provided to students with essential supplies like sketchbooks, pencils, and vellum.
GM’s outreach efforts also include targeted programs for underrepresented groups, with initiatives such as a partnership with Girl Scouts and a $300,000 investment in a Design Industry Club for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. These efforts are vital to GM’s long-term strategy of diversifying the automotive design talent pool.
As GM continues its push for diversity in design, the legacy of Harley Earl, the man who founded GM Design nearly a century ago, lives on. His pioneering work standardized automotive design and continues to shape the company’s approach to vehicle development.
With more than 200 alumni from the College for Creative Studies working in GM Design, GM’s outreach efforts are not just a means of recruiting the next generation of talent—they are also cultivating future industry leaders who will continue the company’s legacy for decades to come.
YMAD will begin accepting applications for the 2025-2026 program in the fall.
