Category Archives: Mobility/Auto/Trans Design
Centre for BioInspiration – San Diego Zoo Global Hosts Inspirational Luncheon for The Design Academy
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San Diego, California not only exhibits impeccable climate & breathtaking landscapes, but it also harbors a plethora of highly respected research institutions equipped with the world’s most brilliant academia & scientists. Therein you will find next-gen intellectuals seeking innovative and sustainable answers to all of life’s current and future problems. Amidst these amazing institutions, stands a unique umbrella organization. Motivated by “the genius of 3.8 million years of adaptations in animals and plants” the centre is focused in forging research and industry partnerships toward building bio-inspired adaptations which harness the power of nature in response to critical sustainable futures for the planet an its inhabitants. The Design Academy, Inc. also known as TDA, shares this vision.The Design Academy recently entertained special guest Amko Leenarts, who was is now the Director of Global Interior Design for Ford Motors. On his journey to find inspiration for future designs he sought the assistance of TDA, so they organized an accelerated agenda of affairs with the purpose of stimulating creative thinking. The Centre for BioInspiration was in perfect alignment with the ambitions TDA held for the Ford Motors guest as well as investing in TDAs current stable of clients.
TDA was welcome to bring it’s extended team which included an interdisciplinary group of considerable experience drawn from design, architecture and science at the invitation of the managing director of the Centre for BioInspiration Mr. Larry Stambaugh himself a true visionary leader. Mr. Stambaugh has completed several strategic partnerships with Fortune 100 and other companies and therefore the ideal connector to the TDA mindset and vision for strategic partnerships.
The exposure on the visit to animal behavioral issues, and plant, terrestrial creature and sea life research was indispensable toward informing future design brief development in aspects of the natural world and the interdependencies required to strike a balance between natural and built environments and sustainable futures.
This common vision will in no doubt affect those that contribute to TDA through its interdisciplinary-oriented design consulting services and provide further possibilities for the San Diego Zoo to enhance its already significant sphere of global influence as a leading biomimicry research hub. With TDAs expertise the commercialization of biomimetic interfaces for sustainable products and services is/may just/ be the accelerator this relationship needs. Space to watch: science inspired nature. TDA: your partner.
Michelin Design Challenge
With anything but a lightweight challenge to cut excessive weight in materials, this prestigious student competition sought innovative architecture for a family vehicle. Three illustrious designs were selected with the help of Chuck Pelly and other automotive veterans. The winners will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show next year, but the following link will bring the curious to the 2012 Michelin Challenge Design Finalists:
http://www.michelinchallengedesign.com/MCD_2012/mcd_participants_2012.php
Still not enough innovation for the automotive design lover? Don’t forget our own Los Angeles Design Challenge is just around the corner…
Written by: M. McQueen
Design Los Angeles, November 17, 2011
And The Design Challenge Winner is
Smart 341 Parkour
“This year’s theme presented these designers with creative challenges like never before. Not only were studios tasked with designing a futuristic Hollywood vehicle, but also the complex plots within which they starred. The Smart 341 Parkour captured the essence of the Design Challenge by combining innovation and functionality with an adventurous plot.” Chuck Pelly
Please read the article in PR Newswire.
We would like to thank all the Studios which participated in the Design Challenge this year:
- Honda Research and Development Americas, Inc. - Honda IH (intelligent horse)
- Hyundai Design North America - Hyundai Stratus Sprinter, DB Atlant (Airship)
- Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc.: Advanced Design Center California – Mercedes -Benz Silver Arrow
- Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Germany – Smart 341 Parkour
- Mercedes-Benz Interior Design Studio, Germany - Maybach Berline
- Subaru Design Tokyo Studio – Subaru HORIZON
Please refer to The Hollywood’s Hottest New Movie Car Studios Presentations.
We also would like to thank all the sponsors:
- Bose, one of the largest and best-known audio technology developers and product manufacturers in the world. Bose has a heritage of research and innovation, and has produced inventions that have improved for instance the performance of Automotive sound systems.
- Dassault Systèmes which develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. Its customers include companies in aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer goods, consumer packaged goods, energy, high-tech, industrial equipment, life sciences, shipbuilding and services industries.
- Faurecia which designs, manufactures and sells automotive equipment. under four major segments, Automotive seating, Vehicle Interiors, Exhaust systems and Front end.
- Inda , a trade association representing the nonwoven fabrics industry since 1968. Throughout the year, their conferences and action-oriented committees bring industry professionals together to explore the most pressing trends and issues in the areas of government relations, technology, marketing and international commerce.
- RTT, a producer of creative and fascinating 3D visualization solutions and services for automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and apparel. Since last year, RTT has joined their forces with Bunkspeed to bring forth new technologies catering to all areas of design, engineering, marketing, and sales. Producer of design software for automotive, aircraft and consumer goods applications.
- Yokohama which main focus is tires for passenger car, truck, bus, mining and construction equipment, and aircraft markets worldwide.
Thank you to all of you who participated and/or attended. We look forward to welcoming more Studios to The Design Challenge next year.
L.A. Auto Show, Press Days November 16-17 & Public Days November 18-27, 2011 – Design Los Angeles on November 17, 2011
The Design Academy will be at The L.A. Auto Show on November 16 and 17 for the Press Days. Chuck Pelly and Joan Gregor will be hosting The Design Challenge “Hollywood’s Hottest New Movie Car” on November 17. Please see The Design Los Angeles Program.
The Studios participating this year are:
Please read the related articles: LA Auto Show, Wired, New York Times and also IMotor Trend, NBC, Automobile, Car Advice, Car Design News, Motor Authority, World Car Fans, PSFK, Design Crave, Inhabitat, Sportwagen Und Tuning, Auto Zeitung, Auto Blog Greece, Stuff.
The judges are:
• Tom Matano, Director, Industrial Design, Academy of Art University
• Stewart Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Art Center College of Design
• Jay Shuster, Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios
• Mark West, Transportation Chair, Detroit’s College for Creative Studies
The winner of The Design Challenge will be announced during The Designer’s Night Party.
Art Center Car Classic, Art Center College of Design, October 23, 2011
Chuck Pelly presented all the studios many of which have brought some of their very special show cars.
“The unique thing about these collections of cars is that it is based on design rather than vintage correctness. This allows much more unique and exciting collection of cars. Each year this Car Classic grows in importance and we are very excited to participate”. Chuck Pelly
“With more than 20 advanced automotive design studios located in Southern California, as well as companies leading the charge in new mobility and alternative energy, SoCal continues to shape the how, what and where of mobility on a tremendous scale.”
Please read related article.
The Hollywood Racer, Lace Reventlow
Lance’s race car is called the Scarab, it was fast and won many of the races it entered.
The Scarab sports cars were very successful and dominated United States racing in the late 1950′s and early 1960′s and were the best of the best sports race cars. Not only were they great race cars beating Ferraris, Maseratis and Listers but they were beautiful too.
Lance Reventlow was the leader, and funder, of the team that built and raced these cars. One of the important keys to his success was the team that he assembled. Bruce Kessler, who raced with Lance in the United States and Europe, was the first member of this special team.
Together they toured some of the racing factories in Europe and were influenced by what they saw there, in particular at Lister in Cambridge, UK. Reventlow decided that he could build a better chassis so rather than buy a chassis from Lister he struck out on his own with his company, Reventlow Automobile Inc. (RAI), to design his own chassis.
RAI chose their engine – the Chevrolet small block V8, starting at 283 cid, they went to 301 cid and soon were at 327 cid and later 339 cid. With fuel injection they produced around 360 hp. They used aluminum Borg Warner T-10 transmissions. The beautiful Scarab body was designed by Chuck Pelly and built by Emil Deidt who had experience making Indy cars. The paint scheme was a pearl blue with white stripes and was pinstriped by Von Dutch himself.
COMMUNICATION and FACILITATION
LA Auto Show Design Challenge, November 18, 2010
In its 6th year, The Design Academy, creators of highly successful Design Challenge, announced the winners at Design Los Angeles at the Conga Room LA Live, Los Angeles. The level of the competition between the local Auto Studios increased this year leading to the judges selecting 2 winners, Cadillac and Smart.
Visit LA Auto Show Design Challenge
Design Los Angeles Sketch Off - LA Auto Show
LA Auto Show - 2010 Design Challenge Winner: Cadillac
LA Auto Show - 2010 Design Challenge Winner: Smart
For Sale
Luxury Morelli & Melvin Cat Designed by Chuck Pelly
The dream has been realized. CATTIVA designed by Chuck and engineered by the world class catamaran experts, Morrelli and Melvin is for sale. CATTIVA is a custom cat built in New Zealand and brought its owners and friends to incredible places in the South Pacific, and experiences most of us only dream about. CATTIVA is currently located just North of Sydney, Australia ready for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
If interested email us and visit her website at www.cattivacatamarans.com.
CATTIVA
CATTIVA
LA Auto Show Design Challenge, 2009
This year’s theme for the highly publicized Design Challenge between SOCAL automotive design studios is Youthmobile 2030. The concept centers around creating an automotive architecture, accessibility and ownership that is emotionally appealing to young drivers who have grown up in an age highly influenced by social networks and digital technology. Joan Gregor and Chuck Pelly are co-conference directors for the LA Auto Show’s highly successful Design Los Angeles program, now in it’s 5th year.
Pelly interviewed by Wealth TV on Design Challenge
Dave Marek presents Honda concept at Design Los Angeles
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