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The Future Role of the Vehicle Designer

The vehicle design department at the Royal College of Art hosted the second in a series of five lectures looking at the future of the profession last week. Moving on from the previous week's topic of sustainability, this debate explored the future roles and responsibilities of the vehicle designer. Head of department Dale Harrow began by posing the question "Is it time to rethink – do we still need the car?" Although still relevant, Harrow's ultimate answer to this was that the profession was about to see marked change, with the end to an era where "designers are locked behind closed doors in studios".

Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards 2011

One student designer has made history by winning the prizes for Best Overall Design and Best Use of Glazing at the 2011 Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards. For the first time in the awards' 24-year history, the prizes were awarded to Adam Phillips, a postgraduate of the vehicle design course at the Royal College of Art (RCA). Phillips, who previously worked as a toy designer for Lego before studying at the RCA, scooped the awards with a concept on the modern family car that uses iPad-style technology called ‘Family Dynamic'.

Jalopnik and Drive host 'Livesketching with J Mays'

Ford's Chief Creative Officer, J. Mays is the subject of a 'Livesketching' interactive video, co-hosted by Drive on YouTube and Jalopnik. The Q&A, presented by designer Jason Torchinsky (himself no slouch with a Sharpie and a flip chart), gave the rare opportunity to quiz the creator of the Audi Avus concept, modern VW Beetle and Mustang and one of the major influencers behind Ford's design strategy.