You would think that all the chat this week would still be about the Detroit Auto Show. But noooo, we have all kinds of news from around the globe of car design. From a company that started designing alloy wheels in the UK to local Detroit students making it in the design world. From Chinese design to anime. And finally, from the show in Detroit to the next big event in Geneva, we have it all here.
Mitsubishi Design Language: Evolve or Start Over?
Mitsubishi chooses Geneva for rebirth
Having a common design language seems to be one of the most important elements in the recent success of several car makers. And for other companies, like Mitsubishi, the lack of that common language seems to stand in the way of continued growth. So Mitsubishi has taken the bull by the horns and decided to introduce a new language, even if it means giving up some iconic models. Read more about it in this CNET article.
Bold new designs at Detroit auto show curve appeal
First, shouldn’t it be “Bold new designs in Detroit show curve appeal”? Or perhaps “Bold new designs at the Detroit Auto Show show curve appeal”? Either way, the Chicago Tribune is showing some love for Detroit… when was the last time that happened? here’s an excerpt “The flood of dramatic models with sleek curve appeal signals a thaw in the deep design freeze that gripped the auto industry since the Great Recession began.”
Apparently Detroit doesn’t even have to go any further than their own back yard for design talent. Not only are two of the best transportation design schools right here, but apparently some of their students are from here too. Check out this article about Lawrence Tech’s Colin Bonathan.
And another article from Frankfurt
The IAA in Frankfurt was a few months ago but that doesn’t mean the articles about the cars debuting there are gone. far from it as CarDesignCommunity has a great article on KISKA Design and the Opel Rak e.
Meeting the Inspirational boss of Kahn design
Car designers often use timepieces as inspiration for their automotive design. So what inspires a designer of timepieces who also has his own auto boutique and design firm? Read this article to find out more. And check out his website here.
The Kia Optima and Peter Schreyer continue to get Love
The UK pub, The Courier had a love fest for the new Optima on its pages last week. ” The Optima is beautiful enough to stand out in a market segment dominated by very dull looking cars.” Dull looking like “the real-life Tardis that is Skoda’s Superb”. While I do not consoider Tardis to be attractive, I would not call them dull looking. By the way, you can now get a Tardis USB Flash Drive.
Chinese Design is in the news again
This week Business Week magazine is talking about the growing influence of Chinese design and consumer wants. They are a week late as Bloomberg had the same info last week. According to their article “Buyers of Volkswagen’s new Passat sedan in China get blue-and-orange LED front lights and Taoist yin-yang designs on speaker covers, features not available in the model sold in North America.”
Are you a fan of cars and Anime?
Then I have the movie for you. A no-rules intergalactic car-race? Count me in. Here is a fan’s sketch for the movie and here is the trailer.
Frank Schwartz
