PPG Design Challenge

Global supplier PPG Industries presented its Design Challenge awards at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. The annual automotive glass design competition called for students to design a vehicle for a 20-something male named Matt - a recent college graduate beginning his career - whose vehicle needed to be image-enhancing and reliable.

Taking inspiration from golf, bamboo charcoal and catamaran boats, 26 transportation design sophomores presented concepts that demonstrated the versatility of glass in providing unique styling as well as utility, comfort and convenience. Those student projects, supported by artwork and clay models, were then judged by a panel consisting of Brian Janik, designer, Nissan Design America; Brad Richards, Truck Studio design manager, Ford Motor Co.; and Roman Steven Yneges, senior creative designer, General Motors Corp.

"There was an impressive display of creativity and ingenuity on hand during the presentation," Said Roman Steven Yneges, "Some of the work displayed the use of glass on a level of entertainment while other students chose to incorporate glass combined with other technologies to achieve a more practical end. They solidly pushed the boundaries of how the industry might someday utilize glass products in the future."

The top three awards were given to students at Detroit's College for Creative Studies (CCS) who designed a premium midsize multi-activity vehicle with new window systems. The vehicles answered the design brief of delivering creative fulfillment of the profiled consumer's needs, demonstrated new and unique window systems, included unique exterior design features for function and aesthetics, and employed creative use of color and texture to enhance appeal.

The first place $1,500 scholarship prize was awarded to Ludwin O. Cruz, who designed an asymmetrical car half made of glass embedded with carbon nano-tube wire weaving, making the glass more of a structural element as well as a visual one. The driver-side glass half, styled to be reminiscent of a golfer's swing, has dimples like those on a golf ball to focus the sun's energy onto solar panels beneath to power four independent wheel motors and interior electronics. The glass top incorporates the roof and windows for maximum visibility. A glass panel embedded in each door near the occupants' feet allows light into the interior while affording visibility for easier maneuvering to park or drive in traffic.

A $1,000 scholarship for second place was won by Woo Sung Lee. His vehicle combined sport utility vehicle functionality with sports car styling on a solid truck base in a concept inspired by the crystal structure of bamboo charcoal, echoed in the honeycomb theme. Honeycomb-shaped glass affords strength and acts as an air filter on the sides and front. The expansive, curved windshield meets narrowing side windows without disruption from a traditional A-pillar. Front-ended weight gives the car a more aggressive appearance. 

Third place and a $500 scholarship went to Andrew Ho for his design of a four-door crossover utility vehicle which has a roof of electrochromic glass extending from the back bumper to the front. This allows occupants to control the amount of sunlight entering the passenger cabin. Navigational and other data displayed in the laminated glass at front give the driver real-time information about the roadway and surrounding environment. Chamfered edges around the top and side window glass light at night. A digital image of water projected through glass onto the ground around the car evokes the feeling of boating on a lake and illuminates the area for ease in tight parking situations. Glass strips above the rocker panels increase visibility, while glass incorporated into the wheel rims enhances aerodynamics and lights to indicate a turn or braking.

"All three winners created designs that went far beyond mere styling," said Brad Richards, Truck Studio design manager at Ford Motor Co. "Their courage to approach the design brief from far outside the box yet within a realm of plausibility secured their success. It will take minds like these to succeed in an industry that is on the brink of radical change."

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PPG Industries Auto Glass Design Awards

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