Art Center Winter Degree Show 2010

The 2010 Art Center Winter Show that took place late last month was the stage for many talented graduates. Sixteen students presented their work at the show, each with quality and finish that was extremely impressive. So too was each student's commitment to the design process and their own inspiration. Here is a selection of the projects that stood out.

BMW UX
Tyler Cornelius
The BMW UX project takes the ultimate driving experience to the ultimate driving terrains. Designed under the tutelage of his mentor at BMW, the UX is Tyler's example of the luxurious over Lander. Aimed at the Richard Bransons of the future, this concept explores the extremes of vehicle packaging in order to better bring premium driven performance to the world's extreme scenarios.  Sensing that "the journey is truly greater than the destination" Tyler has created the perfect solution for a niche, which he has carved beyond the utilitarian rugged vehicles of today and into the impressive extremes of the future.

Citroën concept
Brian Dai
Brian finds future ‘reretro' design language with his full-size Citroën concept. His idea explores the non-linear design interpretation, drawing from classic Citroën DNA and declaring that in the millennia to come it will not be apparent which design came first. The catch phrase for the project is ‘Nostalgia for Tomorrow', and anticipating a move from the brand's current anti-retro position Brian brings back the more stately proportions, embracing the land-yacht feelings of past French automobiles. While the packaging and lighting graphics are uniquely expressive, Brian's design language ensures that ultimately "you know it's a Citroën".

Suzuki Dotto
Walter Franco
The Suzuki badged ‘Dotto', presented by Walter Franco, is the result of a basic deconstruction of the philosophy of the car. Walter's project is meant to redefine the "depth of utilization of the vehicle", bringing a non-conventional aesthetic to a purpose-driven market base. His future buyers are interested in following their favorite festivals and bands, having a place for their items and, when needed, a place to rest and relax. The Dotto fills all these needs while providing an overall image of unique usability that would no doubt appeal to the independent spirits of future generations looking for a "vehicle to get re-inspired".

Alfa Romeo Chimica
Christine Kim
Christine's 'Chimica' concept presents the interior of the future Alfa Romeo electric sports coupé. The name of the project, Italian for chemistry, is meant to describe the duality of heart and soul. Following both the definition of chemistry as a science and also as an emotional connectivity, this interior mates warm and cool aspects that speak both to Alfa's heritage as a beloved badge and to their formidable racing past. Smooth tension arcs above the binnacle and moving away from the center console represent the technical soul that runs in pairing with the heart of the vehicle: the pulsing red emboldened surfacing running throughout the interior.

BMW 6 Series Sedan
Sean Chang
The BMW 6 Series Sedan concept developed by Sean Chang takes direct aim at the likes of the A7 and the CLS. It brings a more emotional face to the stoic German brand. Wearing Nürburgring taxi livery, Sean's model easily shows its tessellation-inspired volumes. The use of tessellations comes from the ‘mysterious value' of a mathematical entity that creates emotional volumes through a particularly  ‘calculable beauty'. The 6 Series sedan represents a more emotive and less measured side of BMW that predicting future design trends is likely to be in their design and product future.

Lamborghini Urraco
Brian Paik
A socially activated, well-funded young professional is the perfect target for Brian Paik's Lamborghini Urraco. His project takes up the two very difficult tasks of reviving the 2+2 genre for Lamborghini and translating their fractured design language into the future tense. Keeping the traditional transverse V-12 layout while adding two properly usable seats, Brian uses very subtle volume surfacing and few creased edge lines to keep a substantial package layout looking nimble and powerful. An unconventional DLO with selective and severe negative surfacing give an intimidating presence and an aesthetic rigidity that will no doubt appeal to this future market base.

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By Peter Lachance