Hong-ik University Design Degree Show 2003

Final year students presented the project 'Re-interpretation of Historic Car'. Within this theme the students presented a wide range of retro design vehicle from the Lotus Seven to Mercedes-Benz 300SLR, considering the cultural backgrounds and brands. Alongside of the retro theme, the students also showed a Special Transportation Design project which explored the Formula 1 racing car of 2040 as a floating machine.

The opening of the show was again accompanied with the Professional Day which is becoming more international and was attended by many professional designers from global automotive companies such as Honda, Nissan, Johnson Controls, Hyundai, Kia, Renault-Samsung, and GM-Daewoo, regarding recruitment.

The third year Transportation Design students explored various themes for 'future personal mobility', from a plastic car exploring new materials technology to create a new aesthetic to a moving walkway to aid city mobility. They worked fully in the digital medium without making physical models.

The projects by the graduating diploma students included:

Retro Design Lotus Seven by Woo-sung Chung

This is an interpretation of the famous Lotus Seven fused with contemporary product design detail. The original model has a minimal and cute image. This has been developed as more modern style and contains the essential features and appeal of the Seven. As a modern classic car, this car can be enjoyed for open-air traveling as an experience and to enjoy the outside landscape for older people.

UB2+1 by Teck-koun Kim

UB2+1 is a 2+1 seater urban buggy for young people that enjoy leisure sports. The design theme is inspired by tents, back packs and sport shoes. For instance, curved A-pillars that go through panels and doors, and transparent roof made of glass reflect the pole-structure and light weight of a tent. Meanwhile, the side proportion and key lines are influenced by sport shoes. The design has also a changeable storage space with folding seat in the back which is characteristic of UB2+1.

Porcellino by Byung-woo Kim

Porcellino presented the retro design of Fiat 500 which was well known for its unique style in 1960’s. The body profile was kept with its own character. The two tone break of beltline allows for a dynamic color variation and low appearance, As a fun car for young people designed to provide a better driving experience in a future urban life. Also it features a soft top roof system, with the entire cloth cover moving down for the open feeling. The theme reflects Fiat's brand heritage and is styled to appeal to a broad market.

Retro Design SLR Type-Z by Sung-joong Kim

The Mercedes-Benz 300SLR is a new type of prestigious roadster for the year 2015. The goal was to give a specific identity focusing on Korean values. The challenge was to try to re-interpret the modern image of the car without losing the essence of Mercedes features. It can be divided into three parts - the front and the rear end that are fixed from both sides to the exposed frame covering the interior in the middle, and maximizing the intensity of the vehicle and the safety .The result is a car with a light and open interior, powered by an environmental friendly engine.

Seroyo by Hwan-wook Lee

The name 'Seroyo', meaning 'a beautiful woman', is inspired by an ancient Korean poem. The focus is on further development of successful styling themes of the classic MG 1 seater racing car which was released in the 1950's. It's theme reflects a new paradigm -'Entropy' that will be a feature for mainstream consumers in the future. Seroyo is a personal multi-directional vehicle with modular seating for three, and an automated drive option that utilizes a fuel cell engine and electric hub motors.

Retro of Bertone (Abarth Records 1956) by Bomina Yoon

This is the retro design of Bertone's Abarth. The main theme of design was focused on the aerodynamic style which was popular in the 50's. The shape of the car is made to look like a flying object. The project explored shapes that improve aerodynamics and speed as essential characteristics of a future car.

Retro Design Citroën 2CV by Su-sie Hwang

The Citroen 2cv was very popular due to its practical usage and low price. It has a unique design that lasted for decades thus becoming an icon of car design in the 20th century. Based on the original 2CV's size and proportions, the car is compact and light, with the colors and forms expressing a cute image. It would appeal to women with its sophisticated and sporty look.

Retro Design BMW 3 Series by Seul-ki Yoon

This proposal offers a new point of view of luxury compact car, inspired by the classic BMW 3 Series of the 50s. As far as the style is concerned, it is based on predominant image of BMW tradition. The reduced size has been compensated by a sense of rigidity and strength. Equipped with a removable hatch, it can be changed into a kind of two-seater roadster powered by an electric engine.