GV designer Likes to insert fun into his art
By MARIANNE McKNIGHT
Special to The Union

Glassy-eyed commuters traveling Interstate 80 sometimes take a second - and then a third - startled look at the World War II airplane above the Holiday Inn at Madison Avenue.
It's actually a replica of the Glamorous Glennis, the last P-51 aircraft Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager flew in the European theater - the work of Grass Valley designer Lauren Anderson.
In designing the remodel for the 400-plus-room hotel, Anderson discovered that, due to current codes, additional signs were prohibited. "We needed something to get more exposure."
Over dinner with the hotel's owner, Anderson 57, drew a sketch of the tower and plane concept on a napkin, drawing his inspiration from nearby McClellan Air Force Base, where P-51s were serviced during the war.
It took six weeks to design the tower project, which was completed six months ago.
"We got Gen. Chuck Yeager involved," said Anderson. "He thought it was great."
The full-sized airplane, built with steel-reinforced foam, has a 37-foot wingspan and a 12-foot diameter propeller.
Mounted on a steel structure, the plane appears to be buzzing the six-story tower, the entrance to the hotel's Aces Lounge.
The original design called for a stainless-steel contrail, which hasn't yet been built.
Did the project meet the objective of being eye-catching?
"They're worried about people stopping on the freeway to take pictures," said Anderson.
"Design should be fun," he said. "I think people get too serious about architecture."
It starts with loose sketches, he said, but design is much more than drawing pictures.
"Design is building, fabricating - and having it on time for a client," said Anderson. "If you're not going to do that, call it art. Who cares? Give it to your mom."
And design is a team effort, said Anderson, who often subcontracts out to architects and others.
Born in Los Angeles, Anderson's first design job, as a high school freshman, was creating a logo for a woman's apparel store. He was paid $15. He later attended Long Beach State University, where he was selected from 1,200 applicants for the Henry Dreyfuss Industrial Design Scholarship.
Teaching for three years at the same university, Anderson told students, "Before you start designing, you have to define the problem." Budget and timing are key considerations, he said.
The Anderson family moved to Northern California 25 years ago. Anderson and his wife, Mary, have two children, Abby and Jarrett, both of whom are business majors at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and California State University at Chico, respectively.
Through the years, Anderson has designed everything from logos to motor homes to helicopters to Knotts Berry Farm signage to brochures.
His focus currently is theme design, primarily for casinos, restaurants and hotels.
To relax, Anderson draws. "I get lost in it."