An introduction to automotive design
Automotive design is the consideration of aesthetics during the product development of an automobile. It encompasses almost every aspect of a vehicle’s design that is readily visible to the customer - from the seats and steering wheel through to the door trims and the dashboard.
There are many different makes of vehicle and design is used to bring a degree of distinctiveness to a model that will make it stand out from the competition and meet consumer expectations.
Various considerations influence the design of a car. These include:
- Branding - this takes into account a consumer’s taste and lifestyle aspirations and ensures the product is distinct enough to be desirable
- Usability - a car must be comfortable and easy to use
- Security - this includes theft prevention and pedestrian safety
- Sustainability - this concerns issues like durability, recyclability and emissions
- Engineering - everything from engineering packaging, materials, methods of manufacture to constraints of production methods and surface refinement
The automotive design and production process is a multidisciplinary one. The entire team can consist of more than 500 people making effective communication crucial. The process must be highly disciplined with regular gateways (check-points) and targets set to measure how efficiently the different disciplines are working together. An efficient set-up can substantially reduce development time and costs. Communication tools used by the teams throughout the process include CAD, verbal skills, negotiation skills, telecommunications, video-conferencing and travel. The visualisation skills possessed by the designers in various media are unique within the overall team and are powerful and compelling communication tools.
Typical stages of the automotive design process include:
- Establishment of vehicle specification
The multi-disciplinary team establish parameters and decision points, ensuring the project runs to schedule
- Discussion of first concept sketches
Designs are presented on theme boards and mood boards
- Informal selection of concept sketches
The design team pick out their favourite sketches
- Management review of concept sketches
CAD models are produced for marketing research purposes
- 2D market research
Concepts are shown to members of the public for their comments
- Presentation of reworked concepts
Reworked concepts are presented again, taking into account market research feedback
- Approval for detailed engineering
Full-size clay models are produced. These are often made using CAD data and hand-finished
- 3D market research
Full-size exterior and interior concept models are shown to members of the public. One concept is selected, informed by public opinion
- Final approval of 3D model
The management team gives final approval to one model which is then fully resolved as a three-dimensional clay model
- Final feasibility development of chosen concept
The full-size clay model is scanned and a new 3D digital model produced. Other engineering disciplines are then responsible for the feasibility of the final design in terms of operation and manufacture
- Final approval of the design