GM-CDN Interactive Competition Update

The GM-CDN Interactive Competition is in full flow, and by the time you read this, over 50 entries will have been uploaded to the competition site. We encourage all of our readers to head over to the Car Design Contest page to see what's going on and participate.

If you're a design student in North America, make sure you get your entry in as the interior phase of the competition closes soon. The standard and number of entries has impressed the judges to date, but what's perhaps even more impressive is the level of interaction and learning that's taking place through dialogue between various registered students, judges and mentors in the comments section.

Remember, it's not too late to enter, but if you haven't uploaded your entry yet, you should do so as soon as possible. While you've got until the last day of June to finalize your entry, students who start early - and whose work has demonstrably been directed by the comments - stand the best chance of winning.

Any student in the US or Canada, studying on any design course at degree or masters level, is eligible to enter and stands the chance to win one of nine internships - which GM have now confirmed will not only be paid, but also supported by the provision of accommodation while you're on your placement with the company.

There are four briefs to choose from. Cadillac has asked students to design a vehicle for the brand that "Defines relevant luxury in the new millennium". The entry by ‘Cable', studying at CCS, has impressed the judges, thanks to the clear exploration of what modern design and luxury means, and the definition of the target customer. "Great vision and relevance of you customer target" wrote Olivier Boinais, mentor from brief supporter Faurecia.

Meanwhile, ‘Louis C', studying at the Pratt Institute, attracted the attention of judge and Director of Interior Design at GM, Dave Lyon, who said: "Wow, great moody style". Giving a hint to all of those entering the Cadillac brief, Dave also commented, "For Cadillac, you can push as futuristic as you dare."

GMC's brief, "To create the ultimate compact, versatile, off-road transportation tool to wear the All-Terrain badge for GMC," seems to be attracting some great entries. ‘TJ E', from CCS, may have entitled his project to date "rough ideations" but the standard of his sketching and ideas has clearly attracted the judges' attention. "You've clear talent and a great sketching style", remarked judge Joe Simpson, Associate Editor of Car Design News. To which Olivier Boinias added, "Love the concept, functional and clever! Nice renders too."

‘Brook Banham' posted a series of fantastic renders for his GMC interior and subverted the website's four sheets displayed at a time upload limit by posting some of his sketches as attachments in the comments! Remember, you can archive your previous entries so that your newest images are the ones live at the top of your page at any point. Ultimately no one seemed to mind, as Brook's work really shines. Dave Lyon spoke for everyone when he simply said: "Very cool".

Buick has asked students to design an "Ultra urban contemporary, signature Buick flaship interior, that's non-retro." ‘TMann's' caught our eye, because he's followed the brief and really looked at who the target customer is, alongside developing some eye-catching and elegant mood boards. We can't wait to see how his design work evolves.

In fact, it's a theme of the Buick entries that students answering this brief seem to be creating great research and mood board themes - ‘JDominguez' has an equally impressive entry from this perspective. As commentator ‘Brown Bear' put it, "great use of the brief set and highlighting specific areas."

Completing the four briefs, Chevrolet asked students entering to "Create an innovative, eco-inspired interior for an electrically driven vehicle, designed with an advanced Chevy Brand character statement." ‘Hannat' has been exploring the center console design in her first uploads, while ‘Miguel Angel' set about creating a ‘groove board'. ‘Reymin D' meanwhile said his entry was inspired by a Leaf, and after his latest upload, Chevy mentor Crystal Windham offered him a series of invaluable tips for how he could develop his design, suggesting, for example, that he "consider integrating functional areas (such as the center stack controls) a little more."

If you'd like to benefit from this type of expert advice and feedback from designers at the cutting edge of the industry then don't delay - upload your entry now! All of us here at CDN, together with everyone at GM and our supporters Dassault Systemes and Faurecia, are looking forward to seeing you develop your work. We wish you all the very best of luck.

Related Links:
Car Design Contest Home Page

By CDN Team