Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 279

Colton Taylor, a car designer from London, felt a knot of excitement and nerves tighten in his stomach. Today was the meeting, the *last* meeting before he had to pack his bags and leave England. This wasn’t just any meeting; it was about the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), the biggest, flashiest car show in the world, where all the big car companies show off their newest creations. Jewon Motors wanted to make a splash.

This was Colton’s final task for Jewon Motors’ British branch. The Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), or International Motor Show Germany, was scheduled for September. Jewon Motors planned to introduce their new sedan at the show, and they had secured a good booth.

So, Colton’s meeting was about the booth design. Jewon Motors hired a top German exhibition designer, and Colton, as Jewon Motors’ chief senior designer, was coordinating the design with him.

Because the IAA is a very important event for car companies, Jewon Motors’ headquarters was very interested in this project. Before calling Colton back to Korea, they asked him to take care of this project in Europe.

There was another reason Colton, a high-level executive, came to the meeting himself.

“Good work, Demian. The design looks great, thanks to you.”

“Don’t mention it. If I couldn’t come up with a good design with so much guidance, it’d be time for me to retire.”

“Haha, but you came up with most of the booth ideas, didn’t you?”

“I’ve been doing this for twenty years, Colton. I may not earn as much as you, but I’m still well-known in this industry.”

The designer for Jewon Motors’ booth was Demian Gunth, a famous exhibition designer and a long-time friend of Colton’s. Colton had recommended Demian to headquarters, making him responsible for managing the project.

Colton was British, and Demian was German, but they had been friends for ten years. They met when Demian designed Jaguar’s showroom while Colton worked as a designer at Jaguar Land Rover.

“Now that the concept is set, I feel relieved,” Colton said.

Demian smiled.

“By the way, why are you preparing for this project so early?”

“Early?” Colton asked.

“Yes. The IAA doesn’t open until September, so why are you fixing the booth design already?”

The Frankfurt Motor Show is held in the last week of September every odd-numbered year. Usually, the booth design is finalized in August at the earliest. But Jewon Motors’ booth design was already fixed in early May, which made Demian curious.

Colton shrugged. “Well, there’s no big reason.”

“So, there is a reason?” Demian asked.

“Yes,” Colton replied.

“What is it?”

“Colton has to go to Korea in June.”

“…?”

“Actually, I was assigned to the Korean branch in March, but I’ve been stuck in England because of this.”

“Huh?”

“So, the vice president job in Korea has been waiting for me for two months now!”

Demian clicked his tongue. It was amazing and a little annoying that a big company like Jewon Motors was planning around Colton’s schedule.

“Wow, that company must really like you,” Demian said.

“Of course. A company that mistreats employees with good performance can’t become a large corporation.”

“Tsk.”

“And Jewon Motors is a global corporation.”

Demian smiled as he watched Colton shrug and sip his coffee. Colton liked to show off a little, but he was still a good person.

“Anyway, let’s stop talking about work now…” Colton said.

“Good,” Demian agreed.

The two men finished their business, organized the documents on the table, and put them in their bags. But they didn’t leave right away. Although they were close friends from different countries, it had been a while since they had met like this, and they had a lot to catch up on. Colton, who was talkative, would be upset if Demian left so quickly.

“Shall we order more honey bread?” Demian asked. The smell of honey bread filled the air.

Colton clapped his hands. “Good! With lots of whipped cream.”

They chatted about personal stories, losing track of time. Since their children were also friends, they had endless stories to tell. As designers, they naturally talked about design.

“By the way, about this IAA, Demian…” Colton began.

“Why are we talking about IAA again? I thought we were done with work?”

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s not about work.”

“Then?”

“I suddenly became curious.”

“Curious?”

“I heard that this IAA is planned to be the largest ever.”

Demian nodded. “That’s right.”

“So, I was wondering which company designed the entire Messe Frankfurt (Frankfurt Main Messegelände) exhibition hall this time.”

Usually, one design company handles the entire exhibition planning and design. However, for large exhibitions like the Frankfurt Motor Show, individual designs are allowed for each booth if the company wants it. Demian was in charge of the individual design of the Jewon Motors booth.

Colton was curious about which main company designed the entire exhibition hall.

Demian answered casually, “D&P is in charge.”

Colton looked surprised. “Huh? Design and Partners?”

“Yes, that’s right. Is there a problem?”

“Uh… It’s not a problem, but…” Colton looked puzzled. He had expected a different answer. ‘What? Not Blacktails?’

Blacktails was a famous architectural firm and exhibition design company in Europe, more well-known than D&P. Colton knew Blacktails had bid for the IAA exhibition design, so he wondered why D&P got the opportunity.

Demian smiled. “Ah, so that’s why you were surprised.”

“Did D&P really beat Blacktails?” Colton asked again.

Demian smiled. “No way. D&P has skills, but it’s not easy to beat Blacktails.”

“Then?”

“I heard Blacktails gave up bidding.”

“Huh? They gave up bidding for IAA?”

Demian nodded. “I heard they don’t have enough capacity. They seem to be preparing for a huge design project.”

Colton nodded. If that was the reason, giving up bidding was possible.

“Is it an architectural design project?”

“I don’t know the details, but that’s what I heard.”

If Blacktails only handled exhibition design, it would be almost impossible to find a larger project than IAA. But for architecture, even a moderate-sized building would be larger than exhibition design.

‘Still, they gave up IAA for another design… I’m curious about where that is?’ If Blacktails had been in charge of IAA, Colton would have asked Demian to connect him. Jewon Motors’ new model would be unveiled in Korea after the Frankfurt show, and he was thinking of contacting Blacktails.

“If you need anything, I can find out the contact information for team leader level or higher,” Demian offered.

“Oh, Demian, it’s not necessary to go that far. If Blacktails isn’t in Frankfurt, I can contact them through other channels,” Colton replied.

After the meeting with Demian, Colton went to the airport waiting room to return to England. He made a phone call.

Ring-

He spoke in fluent Korean. “Hello? This is Colton.”

“[Yes, Vice President, how can I help you?]”

“I need to find out something about the D-X project.”

“[Yes.]”

“You know a company called ‘Blacktails,’ right? The one that planned the Kintex Motor Show exhibition two years ago?”

“[Of course, I know them, Vice President.]”

“I’m thinking of getting a quote from them for this project, so I need their contact information.”

“[Are you going to do it yourself, Vice President?]”

“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

The departure procedure was completed, and Colton continued the call as he walked towards the gate.

“[Um, I don’t think you need to do that, Vice President. I’ll contact them directly.]”

“Oh, Mr. Kim?”

“[Yes. I placed the order directly at Kintex back then.]”

“Okay, then please do me a favor.”

“[If they agree, I will request confirmation before sending the contract.]”

“Good. Thank you.”

“[You’re welcome.]”

“I have to get on the plane now, so please leave it as a message.”

“[Okay, Vice President.]”

By the time Colton finished his work in Germany and boarded the plane, the sky outside was now a deep, dark blue, like ink spilled across paper. Colton switched his smartphone to airplane mode, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

‘Hmm. Now that I’m back in England, I should start preparing to go to Korea.’ When he thought of Korea, he thought of his son. ‘I wonder if Jayden is doing well.’

It seemed like only yesterday that Jayden had boasted about entering a design university in Korea, and now he was in his final year.

But Colton’s thoughts about his son didn’t last long. As the plane’s wheels began to roll, Colton, wearing an eye mask, fell asleep.

Vroooom-

Colton was used to the loud noise of the plane taking off, so he fell asleep instantly. While he was asleep, a message arrived on his smartphone, which was in airplane mode.

[Vice President, the Blacktails design team leader who worked with me last time is now in Korea for the Magok Convention Center design bid. I’m returning home next week, so let’s set up a meeting.]