ID [PNW]

As we eagerly await the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I noticed some interesting visual relationships in the vehicle designs shown in the trailer. It seems that the creative direction has been "variations on a familiar theme." The designers have taken the old vehicles from episodes 4 - 6 and done small modifications to upgrade them for 30 years later. copyright Lucasfilm Rey's Speeder Rey's speeder is essentially the same form as Luke's but turned 90 degrees. Changing from a convertible 2 seater to a single rider vehicle. The weathered, desaturated orange body color is similar. The yellow orange striping is the same. And even the hemispherical wind screen is the same shape. Also notice how the strip grill in the front is the same. Perhaps they are the same manufacturer? copyright Lucasfilm It seems that Rey could have used something with more cargo space, being a scavenger. Such as a pick-up truck speeder, but maybe the Sanford a...

Martini_Mustang:  This is the rendering for a custom Mustang that was unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show.  It won Ford’s Best of Show award at that event. Automotive design in the Pacific Northwest? I normally think of Detroit or southern California when vehicle design is concerned, but some industrial designers are breaking the convention, doing it here, and finding their own way. As is the case with Tavis Highlander , he didn't go to Art Center or to CCS, he went to Western Washington  University  for ID. Talent is not restricted to geography or to school. He tells his story:             “The automotive world and particularly the automotive aftermarket has always been one of my greatest interests since I was a kid.  I liked it so much that I set my sights on making a living within that industry.  It was at WWU that I took the first steps towards that goal by creating a unique junior year i...

It looks like Nissan will beat the major automakers to the market with an affordable fully electric car, the Leaf. You can read more technical specs at the Wired blog. Design Critique The challenge for designing a new car that has unique technology inside is whether to make it look different and unique or not. The GM Volt takes the approach to look like a modern muscle car with a large bonnet signifying a giant powerful motor within, even though it may not require such space. The Prius has a distinctive look that is now associated with being a "green" vehicle. Even the new Honda Insight looks like a Prius at a glance, although the original Insight was quite different and more aerodynamically efficient. The Nissan Leaf resembles other new 4 door hatchbacks like the Honda Fit or Yaris, but with a few slower reverse curves as surface creases. The front hood slopes down to the bumper almost tangentially to the windshield. The allows for great visibility, but also implies th...