Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts Degree Show 2010

China's Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts held its annual degree show in the school's Art Museum recently, showcasing the works of 16 transportation design students created over the course of the four year program. Divided into two parts, students were asked to design a solution for the increasing problems caused by the rapid development of car consumption in China. The projects consisted of a partnership project with Guangzhou Automobile Group Engineering Institute (GAEI) as well as the student's individual projects. Led by course leader Haishan Deng, students concentrated on solving problems but not at the expense of the quality of life and work.

Partnership project with Guangzhou Automobile Group

E-Fun electric vehicle
Geng Li, Liudong Li, Zhimin Lin, GAEI
Created for the passenger vehicle category of the partnership project, the E-Fun concept focuses on 'information' as its main topic, doubling as a moving platform in real world as well as a movable terminal in virtual world. A camera and wireless receiver on top of the vehicle collects information on the surrounding environment – such as buildings – and compares the information with an Internet database. Users can also upload images they take and share them with other drivers online. The exterior screen acts as medium of communication with other road users.

E-Fun electric vehicle interior
Wenyuan Su, Jianlong Li, Martin Frittajon , Cuncun Zhuo, GAEI
Following the 'information' theme, this interior design focuses on adjustable components inspired by a living room and household furniture. The interior, which features board shape woods, includes a center console that slides onto the floor to become a multi-function table that controls the information and entertainment systems. The steering wheel can be fold away into the dashboard if necessary, creating more usable space, while the idea of inner door storage was inspired by travel bags – it features fabric and zippers.

E-Cargo multi-function vehicle
Christian Margolus Zavala , Chuanhua Chen, Shuai Shi, Yanyu Lin, GAEI
The E-Cargo is an electric concept that blurs the boundaries between a passenger car and a commercial vehicle. The exterior design minimizes the cold and hard feeling of traditional cargo vans, allowing users to feel more comfortable using it as a passenger car. For efficient daily works, the E-Cargo has two special up folding side doors to facilitate the loading of large objects, while the lower part of rear door is a loading board that can be laid down. A cargo cart can also be attached to the rear for short distance transport.

Individual projects

Green Vein
Dier Huang
The Green Vein concept was inspired by leaves and insects. Like creatures living in nature, the vehicle should integrate itself into nature too. The leaf-like roof is filled with algae that transfers solar energy into electric power. The arms from which the wheels sprout are designed like the structure of insect legs for high tensile strength, even if built with light materials. The wheels can turn 360 degrees to ease maneuverability.

Ragile Future
Wenyuan Su
Ragile Future imitates the shape of swimming sea life for an enhanced aerodynamic effect. The vehicle's surfaces, painted with special material, are able to absorb infrared rays from the sun and transfer it into energy. Following the ecological theme, the wheels are equipped with sensors to use the heat generated by friction between the wheels and ground.

U-Wall Lizard
Zhimin Lin
This concept can be driven on a U-shaped road to increase road surface adherence under limitation. In this scenario, the point of focus becomes the wheel type and suspension system. The wheel of U-Wall Lizard includes the arm to form an integrated part, which can be unfolded into several legs when the car is used in extreme off-road conditions. On the surface of the wheels there are lots of acetabulas which enable the vehicle to be driven on U-road.

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