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Final year students at London's Royal College of Art Vehicle Design course have recently displayed their work in the second part of the internationally renowned annual summer show.
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The Show: Two featured the work of students in Vehicle Design, Design Products, Industrial Design Engineering, Architecture and Interiors, Computer Related Design, Textiles, Animation, Communication Art and Design, Conservation and History of Design.
The display by Vehicle Design students was located this year in the lower floor of the college galleries providing a separate, elegant setting for the final year projects.
The Vehicle Design students have again showed a high standard of presentation, and have demonstrated an emphasis on the research and design process leading to their final design solutions.
Christian Wichmann Brandt proposed a future Bristol, with inspiration from architect Frank Gehry and the sculpture of Henry Moore. Fluidly shaped body panels appear to float above a darker solid base structure. The theme, using a contrast of light panels suspended over a darker structure continues on the interior of the vehicle. The interior would use customized packages in association with companies such as Dunhill and Burberry, continuing the exclusive British theme.
Jorge Diez presented his 'Audi XL6', based on 'quantity and quality of space'. The vehicle has room for six passengers, and is based on the wheelbase of the Audi A8. An internal railsystem allows the seats to move to any position, and can be swivelled into the large door openings when parked.
Andy Woodman’s 'Mantis' is a vision for a new type of motor racing, aimed at the 'Playstation generation’. He imagined a new hi-tech sport combining the precision control of an expert computer gamer, the skill of orienteering, the quick reactions of extreme skiing and rallying - all these components would make a new race format, and a new type of vehicle is needed, the ATR - ‘All Terrain Racer’.
With the use of 3D satellite information the racers would plan their routes between way stations across rough terrain. On their chosen route they will be constantly adjusting their multi-variable machine to get the best competitive advantage. The ATR has so many variables that an amazing number of vehicle shapes are possible. The body centre joint enables the car to steer by bending, much like an earth mover truck.
Tue Beijer investigated the possibilities of making a motorcycle using laser sintering (rapid prototyping) as the final production technique. Although frequently used today for making models, it looks set to be used in the future as a final production technique, offering some unique design opportunities.
Tue applied his concept by exploring how a BMW motorcycle would look if not powered by a flat twin and driveshaft, and following the dynamic BMW design language of 'appearing as a moving object, even when standing still'. The design features a strong lightweight monocoque where parts such as fuel tank, airbox and even the rear leaf springs are integrated into one object.
