Coventry University MA Degree Show 2008

Coventry University's School of Art and Design recently held an exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum for the 18 students graduating from its MA Automotive Design course. The projects consisted of a number of innovative and exploratory concepts, almost half of which, interestingly, were presented in digital form. Here are the highlights of the exhibition:

iMo
Anthony Jannarelly
We first saw Anthony's work when he was an undergraduate at Coventry, and the Frenchman continues to impress with his latest MA project, the iMo. A simple two-wheeled, three-seat urban vehicle, the concept's cabin is made of nitinol fabric draped over a soft, form-changing sphere. Measuring 2000mm long, 1990mm wide and 1700mm tall, the iMo can lean to one side by changing the diameter of its wheels via gyroscopic sensors. Jannarelly has not only thought of the vehicle and its occupants, he has also devised an entire metropolitan environment that illustrates how the concept can be used, flown and parked. Check out the animation to the left.

Concept Enigma
Tan Sohanpall
Concept Enigma is a vehicle that aims to replicate the sensations experienced in extreme sports and thrill seeking. A track-based concept intended for the year 2030, Tan Sohanpall's Enigma builds on the idea of multiple sensations and vehicle sensations, allowing the driver to fully control the experience and compete against other people in similar vehicles on a track. These sensations are then used determine the winner of the race, based on a scorecard format.

Mazda Tako
Kristopher Bylander
Christopher Bylander's Tako two-seater convertible is the result of a hypothetical joint venture between Mazda and Nippon Steel. Tako is Japanese for ‘octopus'; the sea creature's effortless and flowing movement provided the inspiration behind the project, and combines with Mazda´s Nagare/flow design language and Nippon Steel´s memory shape MSA (moving metal) to provide a realistic proposition for women aged 20-40 in the year 2030. The upper medium-sized vehicle (it measures nearly 5 meters in length) has two hydrogen containers and electromagnetic wheels that allow more flexible movement. The short hood is flanked by two ‘arms', giving the vehicle powerful proportions. Two large airbags are fitted on the inside of the front fenders, creating a second crash zone. Inside, the design features an oxygen container to enable occupants to relax in the hectic future scenario.

Tessa
Gyuwon Shim
Shim's Tessa concept blends urban suitability with the technological attributes sought by increasingly tech-savvy consumers. The single-seat, electrically propelled ‘city commuter' increases interaction by incorporating a transparent flat-screen display within its B-pillar. When the vehicle is parked, the screen could be used to display advertisements, thereby generating income for the owner. But passersby could also utilize the display by transferring data from their PDAs or surfing the Internet. In addition, this system also allows the driver to personalize the vehicle with downloaded images. Other interesting design details include aerofoils above the rear wheels and the front wheel fork that mimic the shape of the glass canopy.

BMW BreakZ
Karolina Dabrowski
The BMW BreakZ is a roadster-coupe for generation Z. Its form language is inspired by the musicology and characteristics of Drum'n'Bass, which is both exceedingly complex (the drums) and incredibly simple (the bass). These two characteristics are shown in the treatment of the main bodylines and the surfaces in between, which are formed by stretching fabric over structural bones (not unlike the company's 2008 Gina concept). Multiple layers express the depth and richness of the sound that is made up of many different elements and a vertically layered structure. The rear lights are inspired by dance moves that were recorded using motion-capture technology. This design expresses the tension and excitement of the music and pushes BMW's design philosophy further.

Land Rover Quest
Carlos Restrepo-Jimenez
The first student to graduate from the newly formed MA Vehicle Interiors program at Coventry, Restrepo-Jimenez created a vehicle designed for young adventurers who respect the environment. A flat rear load floor that doubles as sleeping accommodations allows the car to be used as a shelter, while the two front seats - supported by a central roof structure inspired by the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava - can be folded forward from the seat bottom to create more space at the rear. Drawers beneath the floor can be accessed from the exterior, the glasshouse is made of spherical solar panels that harness the sun's energy and recharge the fuel cell, and the side windows can be opened up like a wing to allow users to experience the outdoor environment.

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By Eric Gallina