Everyone’s favorite French designer (of the spider-juicer fame) recently spoke to German magazine Die Zeit about his career, design, and designers.

Starck, always outspoken, talks about his triumph over elite design ways and bringing proper design to the masses.   This, according to Starck, shows why the typical elite designer has been replaced by he who designs for the un-extremely wealthy public.

A good read about the thought process of a well-known Industrial Designer and his principle idea about not designing in a vacuum.

Original article (in German)

Translated article & excellent follow-up thoughts from Dlock’s pop culture blog

And so begins the second part of our look back at Geneva. This time, the focus is on…

Part 2: Interior Trends Read more

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Yes yes, I know. Geneva was so two weeks ago. However, we felt it necessary to compile our thoughts about the show for you into one handy-dandy report.

While Geneva may be Europe-specific, several trends begin there each year.

Read on for our findings, and let us know if you like these kinds of reports. If you (the readers) find these valuable, then we can continue writing these for auto & design shows as they come.

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We have noticed that accessories from the OEM’s are on the rise. Scion really got things going, but they are held only to the Scion brand making it pretty limited. Mini has also done a great job of offering many ways to personalize your ride. Now it is GM’s turn and they are going all out covering every brand. GM has created an entire studio dedicated to making their vehicles look even better.

They hope consumers will come back to the dealer to see what new accessories are out for their vehicles. I don’t know of too many people who will go to the dealership unless they have to. It is kind of like having a kid who enjoys going to the dentist.

Anyway, here is a video showing some of what they do and how they do it.

The Geneva Motor Show is undoubtedly the biggest on the planet for concept vehicles, debuts, and blond Swedish models. This year GM took the wraps off of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept, showcasing the latest in the theme that Saab has been evolving over the last couple of years.

Saab tends to be the forgotten horse in the GM stable of brands, yet it may have an identity that rivals Cadillac in strength… especially with the 9-X.

Watch the video of GM’s Design Chief Ed Welburn talk about the 9-X and read on for our full crit.

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Scion has huge potential which hasn’t been tapped yet, but their marketing is great. Their recent gimmick to remember their brand is called Scion Speak. Here you can design your own crest the Scion way, with lots of options. It is a fun 10 minute break from the daily grind. How do you like the new Fetish Crest?

Front wheel drive cars are usually thought of as boring until you discover the e-brake and reverse 360’s. Check out this “funny as shit” way to spend time in a vacant parking lot. McDonald’s probably doesn’t like it very much but I know you will.
Do I hear front drive drifting circuit? Who wants to start it?

Thanks for the tip Window Licker…

Check out the video-
(( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llQfVfK-OUI ))

Awhile back I posted an article about car manufacturers not knowing what consumers want. Well Chryser has figured out how to find out. Let the general public tell them what they need to do. If this isn’t a last ditch effort than I don’t know what is.

Why do they employ marketers, designers, etc. Isn’t that their job. The company is turning into an open source design house. Which will get you the car shown above. Consumers think they know what they want, now, but many cannot visualize what they might want 10 years out. It will be interesting to see if this tactic will get consumers more connected with the brand. If you want to voice your opinion, Chrysler gives you plenty of options (email, phone, snail mail). Maybe you could be the one the change their future. Remember, You Talk. We Listen. The New Chrysler

What do you think, is this a joke or a valid marketing scheme?

Boy I would love to hear some of the suggestions they get…..can I get yer uh mini keg under da armrest wit a big straw?

The auto world is a complex one. It starts from the beginning, whos’ idea was it, who designed it, where did it get manufactured, who manufactured it, who gets the profits in the end? Nothing is done by one company, but the credits given are often screwed from the truth. Many of the innovations you see in vehicles are not done by the OEM’s, but by suppliers offering their product for sale. If you are curious about who made your car, check out the article below about a book coming out dealing with this topic.

Author of new book – ‘Who Really Made Your Car?’ –
says suppliers are the real producers of automobiles

What company really manufactured the vehicle you drive? One expert says the correct answer to this question – in many instances – no longer is Ford, General Motors, Toyota, or any other major automaker.
“More than two-thirds of the value in your car is from parts produced by parts suppliers, not the car manufacturers,” said James Rubenstein, a geography professor at Miami University, and a long-time observer of the automotive industry.
Rubenstein says a network of 4,500 suppliers – including companies such as Lear Corporation, Johnson Controls and Magna International – supplies carmakers with everything from seats to wiring.
In collaboration with Thomas Klier, an economist with the Federal Reserve Board, Rubenstein has authored a book due out in the summer of 2008 called, “Who Really Made Your Car?” (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Inspiration comes from many places, I hope this isn’t one of the sources for the new Toyota IQ. I stumbled on this photo during a Google search and couldn’t resist. Now I can see why Toyota has never hit the mark on styling.  This is one image that shouldn’t make the image board.