This is something that should be taught in every classroom. I love the back and forth between these brands (BMW and Audi). Their marketing is a great example of some friendly competition.
[via Autoblog]
Holographic Visualization
On March - 2 - 2010
Visualization techniques are constantly evolving. It started with stone in cave, then pen to paper, then computer modeling and now we are finally getting into the hologram arena. Holograms have always teased us in movies such as the landscape being spun around in the movie Avatar. We are so close to having that capability. This video shows a new form of holographic visualization used for architecture. Imagine the possibilities of it in the automotive and product world.
Picture going into a sales meeting and showing the customer this. Get a full size hologram of a car and show multiple versions in a clinic without ever having to make a prototype (maybe then the price of cars would come down). This kind of visualization could greatly speed up the development process.
Holographic Architectural Imaging by Zebra from Core77 on Vimeo.
Here is some more info on the product from Freshome.
Detroit Auto Show Rumors
On January - 21 - 2010
With all of the industry events during the preview of NAIAS you get to hear a lot of rumors from a variety of people. Some true and some not but all interesting. Here is our run down of some interesting tid bits picked up off the floor when the drinks ran out.
Buick Regal GS – High potential of making it to production. Really no reason not to since it is made as an Opel.
Chevrolet Aveo RS – Looked great at the show, but production form changes the front clip, lighting details, and the size wheels. I saw this version at GM’s Technology Event in the fall and it needs help. No RS version is going to create a lot of bad press for the new Aveo.
GMC Granite – This was an actual real concept car created in just 7 months. Many GM designers were not a fan of a small GMC and are not supporting it to well. GM employees seem to be split 50/50 on whether this concept will make it into production. Personally I thought this was Best of Show and would bring many new buyers (myself included) to the brand. This vehicle was a gerat interpretation of a small GMC.
Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep – Busy , busy , busy is all that can be said for team Pentastar. No vehicles at Detroit but 16 new vehicles coming through next year. 11 refreshed and 5 all new. There are 9 new interiors coming out by next year and some have not even been designed yet. Most exciting to me is a new Jeep Wrangler interior coming after next years subtle refresh. I was told I will love it. We will wait and see.
Supposedly Mr. Sergio Marchionne does not like showing vehicles far ahead of actual production. Hence why there were no vehicles in Detroit, nothing is ready to come out. We will not even see the upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee until spring when it goes on sale. Could he be bringing the suspense of the old days when you would actually go to the dealership just to watch the cover come off the new car? That would be great and really stick it to us bloggers (not us) who break embargoes early.
Ford – The new Fusion / Mondeo is said to be amazing and will blow away everything out there. Hopefully they grew out of the global growing pains had by the new Focus.
Audi E-Tron – This version of the E-Tron will be the next R4. It has the same proportion of last years VW roadster.
VW New Compact Coupe (NCC)- This will most likely be the new Jetta Coupe, assuming they stick with the Jetta name.
What did you here? If you have any other rumors you heard be sure to add them into the comments section.
CDf Podcast #18 : Holiday Wish List
On December - 18 - 2009
For our last podcast of the year Dali, Arvind and I set out to enjoy some beverages to celebrate the upcoming holiday. While we were at it the discussion of a holiday wish list from the Big 3 came up. Have a listen to hear what our thoughts are. We also reveal some details on our 4 year Anniversary celebration following the NAIAS Design Forum. Check it out!
How to Present Like a Pro
On December - 14 - 2009
Our friend DT over at Design Sojourn has posted a fantastic article on something that all designers should know how to do: give effective presentations in front of other people. While we as designers may create artwork that rivals the likes of DaVinci, we usually can’t present ourselves out of a cardboard box.
Focusing on aspect such as eye contact and how many points per slide, DT does a great job of helping explain how we can present our work more professionally, and in turn create engagement with those who we are presenting to.
And no, telling Tiger Woods jokes to kick off a meeting isn’t included.
[Click here for the full article]
Design Thinking & Innovation
On November - 20 - 2009
Design Thinking is a hot topic right now. Companies need to change and create new innovative and profitable products. The question is does management become more creative or do designers become more business oriented? In my opinion designers already have business in mind. You cannot create a successful product without looking down the road into the marketing strategy and how the product will benefit the company. Management will probably have a harder time learning how to be creative and think about all sides of the business (product development through to production and marketing) like designers do.
Here is a presentation on design thinking and how to pitch it to your management. Bryan deBlois of Innovation Focus “created this presentation as a synthesis of current thoughts on design thinking to try and explain “it” to buisness people who have heard the term design thinking”
It is time for designers to take charge.
Growth of Target
On September - 29 - 2009
Here is a cool growth chart done by Flowing Data. Did you know that Target first opened in 1962, which is around the same time as Walmart. I had know idea these stores have been around for so long. Why have I only had access to Target for 10 years or so? I feel so cheated.
Flowing Data has a slick way of showing growth and it is interesting to see how the brand covered the states. Target was quite sporatic while Walmart focused in one area and then fanned out from the origin.
Probably useless info to most but still cool to see. Watch the Target video and be amazed, then sadly watch where Walmart is at… bummer.
GM Goes Bonkers with Social Media Expose
On August - 10 - 2009
Today GM hosted a special outing for social media users (aka Facebookers, Twitterers, and bloggers) to showcase some of the new (and unknown) products that are forthcoming from the big blue box.
Last year, Ford and GM embraced social media: Ford introduced the Fiesta Movement, and GM has hosted several events and drives. Being an active part of the consumer’s life via outlets like Twitter and Facebook has helped put people more in touch with the big companies, being able to provide instant feedback.
Today’s event had several folks Tweeting about their experience at the GM Tech Center and proving grounds, revealing several of GM’s upcoming products.
Big props to friends of CDf Joel Feder and Adam Barrera, among others, who are tweeting about their experience:
From @joelfeder (Joel):
Just had a great talk with #BobLutz and then took some pics w/ him! I’m going on a limb the G8 will be back as a high end #Chevy #GMtech #GM
We can take pictures now. At the Milford proving grounds http://twitpic.com/deo22 #GMtech #GM
Just spoke w/ #Cadillac director. They have a working cts-v sportwagon in the builing. Probable production next summer. No I’m not kidding!!
From @highmileage (Adam):
Shockers so far: 3 new Buicks, 2 new Cadillacs, 1 new GMC, and every future Chevy is a knockout.
Ed Welburn calls the #GM Design Dome “a house of dreams,” “holy.” I am bathing in future.
Michael Burton, #GM Buick design “advocate” on Buick: “premium without being pretentious.” For better or worse, snob appeal won’t be a problem at Buick
@GMTexas: I can’t tell you how thoroughly gorgeous the next Malibu is. Had to touch it. Interior designer Dave Lyon let me feel its new IP.
Follow all of their tweets online (click their names above).
CARLAND : a century of motoring in America
On June - 19 - 2009
Here is a fun dose of Automobile History displayed in a way we can all understand….a board game. Take a look through there are some interesting facts. Did you know the first car phone was releasing in Stockholm in 1956. The phone weighed 90 pounds and ran off the car battery, crazy! Oh and save your pennies since in 2005 19 cents out of every dollar earned went toward transportation costs. Oh that hurts.
Compliments of GOOD
Horbury, Out!
On April - 1 - 2009
We’ve been waiting to make a “Seacrest, Out!” reference all week, and now we get to use it. Peter Horbury, the head of Ford’s North American design studio operations, is waving goodbye to the Oval in Dearborn. Horbury will be heading back to Volvo to fill the position that Steve Mattin left last week. Moray Callum will take over for Horbury, who (like Chris Bangle) has been in the Design public’s eye (or crosshairs?) while at the helm of the American giant. Horbury was responsible for some of the revitalization of Ford design, seen at the NAIAS this year with well-reviewed updates to the Mustang, Taurus, and Fusion.
The new assignments take effect May 1st.
But enough of our babbling. Press release after the break.
