CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition - Exterior Phase Launched

We're pleased to announce the launch of the second phase of the CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition, which challenges design students in North America to create an exterior design in response to briefs from each of GM's four brands – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC.

This second, exterior design phase of the competition – which can be found at www.cardesigncontest.com – follows on from the previous interiors design phase and again challenges students to design against briefs set by each of GM's four brands. Remember, you don't have to have entered or registered for the interiors phase in order to take part in this exterior phase of the competition.

When the competition closes on October 31, 2011, 12 finalists will be selected and invited to join GM at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit. There, a total of nine winners will be chosen across the interior and exterior design phases. Each winner will receive the prize of a paid internship and an iPad2.

The briefs
The briefs are continuations of those set for the interior phase. Buick's brief asks students to design an ultra urban contemporary signature flagship; Cadillac wants you to design a vehicle that defines relevant luxury in the new millennium; Chevrolet's brief wants students to design an eco-inspired, electrically driven vehicle with an advanced Chevy brand character statement; and GMC wants you to create the ultimate, off-road transportation tool to wear the ‘All Terrain' badge. To see the detailed briefs, click on each brand's logo mark on the competition homepage.

Once again, the competition is open to all students – from undergraduate to doctoral level – who are studying on any design courses (not just automotive or transportation) in the USA and Canada. Please check the ‘about the competition' tab on the competition website for details of the competition's rules and entry requirements.

Judges' tips
The judges are looking for the very highest standard in design presentation, new, innovative and well-researched thinking, and a demonstration of progression in each student's work. The judges and mentors stress the importance of uploading your work as it develops, not just as a final design at the end. This not only allows them to see how your thinking evolves, but will allow you to benefit from their expertise and guidance, which they'll provide through the comments. Remember to unpack and challenge the brief, tell the judges who your customer is, illustrate what research you've done, and show the development of a theme, through design ideation, to a final piece of work.

David Lyon, Executive Director of Interior Design, who is one of the judges, said: "Feedback and interaction are a natural part of a designer's world, but this competition takes that to a whole new level. The entire design community can help push and guide the creativity of the students, and I'm really excited to see what will result."

As with phase one, professionals from each brand's design team, as well as from competition sponsors Dassault Systèmes, Faurecia and SRG Global, will act as online mentors. They will provide students with a unique and public flow of guidance and advice via the website. Whether you're participating with an entry of your own, or merely keen to observe, anyone who is registered on the site is free to comment and get involved in the community and we'd encourage you to do so.

Selected finalists in the Interior Design phase work continues
And don't forget that, while the exterior phase is getting under way, the 13 finalists selected for the interior phase will be continuing to develop and refine their work, up until the same October 31 deadline. You can see their work here and give feedback via the comments sections, which have now reopened on these entrants' pages.

All of us here at Car Design News, together with the entire design team at GM and our brief supporters Dassault Systèmes, Faurecia and SRG Global, look forward to seeing your exterior design entries, and wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.

See www.cardesigncontest.com for details of the competition and to register to enter.

The competition is being supported by: Dassault Systèmes, the provider of widely-used design software under the CATIA brand; Faurecia, the Tier 1 supplier to auto makers which has a well-earned reputation for design innovation; and SRG Global, one of the world's largest manufacturers of chrome plated plastic parts for the automotive industry.

Related Articles:
CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition - interior phase finalists announced
CDN and GM launch new interactive competition for students in North America

By CDN Team