Auto Show 2010

Here are a couple of pictures from the auto show. I personally don't like cars and I was disappointed that there weren't that many eco-friendly cars out there. I think that instead of focusing so much in the design, they should also make cars more functional and make sure that they don't pollute the environment!

In the auto show they only had these supposedly "eco-friendly" cars and as you can see there really aren't that many:

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (2010)
Chevrolet Volt (2011)
Fisker Karma (2010)
Ford Escape Hybrid (2010)
Honda Civic Hybrid (2010)
Honda CR-Z (2011)
Honda Insight (2010)
Kia Ray (2010)
Lexus HS 250h (2010)
Lexus LS 600h L (2010)
Lexus RX 450h (2010)
Mercury Mariner Hybrid (2010)
Nissan Altima (2010)
Toyota Camry Hybrid (2010)
Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2010)
Toyota Prius (2010)


This is the Volvo Electric C30 and even though this electric car claims to be eco-friendly because it does not produce carbon monoxide emissions, if you really think about it is just polluting as much as regular car since you need to charge it. In order to produce that energy power plants pollute a lot more, especially if your energy source is coming from a coal power plant. So is it really eco-friendly? I think not. Same goes for hybrid cars, which have electric motors integrated to help it run faster when going up hills or to go at a faster speed they are not so eco-friendly after all. Most importantly, many people do not own a hybrid car because of the price, so is not really making so much of an impact in the environment if they are not in the reach of many consumers.


Hopefully one day they are able to make a real eco-friendly car that is available to everybody, but until then I'm not really happy with cars. Yes, they are beautiful and all, however, there are far more important things than just aesthetics. Industrial designers need to consider the consumer's need just as the environment! C:

Well here are a couple of more cars:

Auto Show (Siobhan)

Images and comments of displays, cars, details...

Elegant displays from Buick

Buick- form looks pretty good. Glad they are still with us.

My least favorite interior. Dated and weird.

My least favorite fog light. Too doughy.

Classic and fun.

Great video from Chrysler.

Fiat 500 remake on a classic.




What a difference proportion makes....


Fisker is fast and green.

Audi and VW displays were spartan.


Lighting and reflections...


Interactive games at Ford



Mini's are so fun, they don't need a multi-million display with games and giveaways.

Green graphics.

Dominant/Subdominant/Subordinate or Line/Plane/Volume

In this assignment the students covered many of the the basic principles of creating aesthetically pleasing 3 dimensional designs like...
-Activating space in in x,y,and z axis
-creating a dynamic composition through variation in character and size in the 3 rectilinear volumes.
-creating visual and spacial interest by connecting and combining the 3 volumes through cradling, wedging, and piercing
The students started by creating small 3 dimensional sketches in clay. They then chose a direction and scaled the the sketch up on size in clay. They then created a final composition in wood. This was a one 1.5 week project.

an unnecessarily long-winded post

2011 Jaguar XJ

amongst all the autos at the show, i'm most interested in the newest incarnation of Jaguar's XJ class, released in 2009.

why?

personally, i can't stand it. at all. as a jag, at least. jaguar has really compromised the legacy of this model considering that it has completely changed its longstanding aesthetic. it's a pretty significant 180. in saying this, i need to embellish. for reference, here is an older XJ, from 2003:

this was basically the aesthetic for most of the car's existence [1968-2009]. for lack a better term, this car was classy, or graceful whereas the new one is very sporty and cunning. alas, this is what the people want. like so many other cars at the show, the new XJ has incorporated these design features into their newest mark:

-aerodynamic form factor
-more angular headlights and tails lights
-sportier grill
-shorter, boxier trunk [think dodge's charger]

i'm rambling, so i'll conclude with this—it is a beautiful car. it's just unfortunate that it's indistinguishable as a jaguar.

that is all. goodnight :)

-max