DESIGN OF CARS
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of
the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics,
of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles.
A Bertone Birusa concept car on display at an International Car Show.
In the Background are some concept sketches
Draft of OScar
design proposal
The task of the design team is
usually split into three main aspects: exterior design, interior design, and
color and trim design. Graphic
design is also an aspect of automotive design; this is generally shared amongst
the design team as the lead designer sees fit. Design focuses not only on the
isolated outer shape of automobile parts, but concentrates on the combination
of form and function, starting from the vehicle package.
The aesthetic value will need to correspond
to ergonomic functionality and utility features as well. In particular,
vehicular electronic components and parts will give more challenges to
automotive designers who are required to update on the latest information and
knowledge associated with emerging vehicular gadgetry, particularly dashtop mobile devices, like GPS navigation, satellite
radio, HD
radio, mobile TV, MP3 players, video playback, and smartphone interfaces.
Though not all the new vehicular gadgets are to be designated as factory
standard items, some of them may be integral to determining the future course
of any specific vehicular models
is practiced
by designers who usually have an art background and a degree in industrial
design or transportation design
The stylist responsible for the design of the exterior of the vehicle develops the proportions, shape, and surfaces of the vehicle. Exterior design is first done by a series of digital or manual drawings. Progressively, drawings that are more detailed are executed and approved by appropriate layers of management. Clay (industrial plasticine) and or digital models are developed from, and along with the drawings. The data from these models are then used to create a full sized mock-up of the final design (body in white). With three- and five-axis CNC milling machines, the clay model is first designed in a computer program and then "carved" using the machine and large amounts of clay. Even in times of high-class 3d software and virtual models on power walls, the clay model is still the most important tool to evaluate the design of a car and therefore used throughout the industry