transportation and car design

Lamborghini Cnossus, academic project by Nelson Simoes (Portugal) and Viktar Filipchanka (Belarus) in collaboration with Lamborghini.

Master in Transportation and Car Design

CHARACTERISTICS AND AIMS The Master programme embraces the entire design development process through research into new experiential concepts, the redefinition of architectural solutions and by moving forward with new criteria for comfort and efficiency. Parallel to the technical training, studio projects are organized in collaboration with major car companies. In particular SPD has signed a long-term educational partnership with Volkswagen Group Design involving the participation of designers from the various brands - from Audi to Lamborghini - into the teaching activities. After the initial exploration, students move forward into design concepts and their refinement up to both physical and digital modelling. Its a long process that demands a high level of personal commitment and flexibility, organizational and time management skills as well as a strong attitude for teamwork. Transportation designers thus acquire constant stimuli for innovation in terms of both form language and function, allied with the understanding of engineering and production processes. candidates with a degree in Industrial Design or other discipline who have gained significant professional experience in the specific field. Students having successfully attended the One Year Course in Car Design Tools may be accepted subject to the evaluation of the Master Admission Committee. For further information please contact the Academic Office: info@scuoladesign.com or +39 02 21597590. PROGRAMME OUTLINE* Studio practice This area identifies a series of projectoriented courses arranged according to varying duration and a didactic approach that run over the entire year. Participants are tasked with complex themes closely related to emerging issues in the current design scene. Intensive workshops are intended to stimulate creative thinking while extensive laboratories round off sounder professional skills. Didactic activities will cover all the phases in the design process, from the concept idea to design refinement, modelling and presentation. Participants can benefit from a professional oriented educational experience thanks to the close collaboration with leading industrial partners and in particular with the Volkswagen group. During regular class critique activities and interim reviews with external auditors, students can take advantage of the guidance of renowned designers working in the various studios of the world largest group and faculty members who have been chosen from among the best professionals in the automotive field. Working both in small design teams and individually, students will have the chance to enhance their relational skills and team work attitude, which is crucial in the profession due to the complex and highly structured organization of the businesses in the field. Design culture Theoretical and practical classes are intended to support the students ideation process and boost their cultural and methodological background according to a professional orientation. Thematic courses are provided to foster the comprehension of the history and the contemporary culture of transportation design. The principles of automotive marketing will be investigated according to a user-centered approach.

At SPD designers are being called on to envision progressive transportation concepts that fit a future scenario where cars are no more the unrivaled player. Alongside micromobility solutions or people mover systems that respond to the challenge of the new megacities and their fast-growing economies, todays car design paradigm can also be brought into question in the urge to better interpret new social habits and environmental issues.

COURSE DURATION The Course lasts for one academic year (October to November). The final exam consists of the presentation of a personal dissertation (thesis project) is arranged within December. Full time commitment is required including mandatory class attendance, preparation of coursework and individual study. LANGUAGE English ENTRY Upon selection based on the portfolio review and on a personal assessment, the Master admits graduates in Transportation or Car Design, Vehicle Engineering and their equivalents,

*The programme outlines may be subject to changes for didactic reasons.

In a collaborative way classes will tend toward the definition of the brand strategies and market trends, the interpretation of the values of each brand by recognizing the elements that define its identity. The definition of future trends in transport design will start from the analysis of the target user, his needs, and habits. Research topics are selected according to a global perspective that takes into consideration the leading names in the automotive field in relation with todays design and construction techniques, in addition to attention on the new possibilities introduced by fast growing markets emerging in the automotive scene. The new frontiers of the integration among man-transport-urban infrastructure-information and communication networks will be deeply investigated. Infact it is to be noted that this changing landscape is marking a dramatic evolution in the professional role of the transportation designer. A specific focus is devoted to the Colour and Trim area as a complementary skill for the young designers. A practical methodology applied to colours, materials and finishing is presented to support both the research and the design phase. The course also covers the study of trends and the creation of new sensorial palettes that are able to influence consumer demand relying on a strong emotional identity. The main design assignments of the year will be completed with a detailed colour and trim study relevant to both car exterior and interior. Tools and techniques

The didactic area comprises advanced training for different tools and techniques, starting from refinement of the students graphic abilities up to digital modelling and production skills according to the quality standard set by the industry. The programmes will initially focus on colour sketching and digital rendering techniques as the correct visualization of the concept is made first by hand, before moving on to the CAD phase, which is notoriously more costly in terms of time. Classes will then concentrate on digital rendering techniques in order to achieve a higher photorealistic level of representation. Moving to the 3D modelling phase, it is noted that today advanced digital modelling is a fundamental tool for a young designer in the automotive field. Therefore it is important to understand the specific attitude with which designers should approach this technology and the benefits it delivers to them during the design process. The main goal of the course is enabling the students to get familiar with the technical understanding of three-dimensional modelling, acquire a sound construction methodology and gain a designers sensitivity toward digital surfacing and detailing. An Alias model is also requested as a valid support at the beginning of a clay modelling process or for rapid prototyping purposes. Towards the end of the process physical modelling is a key phase to verify volumes, proportions and styling solutions. The educational process emphasizes the benefits of clay modelling as it allows a totally reversible process of addition and subtraction. During the work, students will be presented a variety of clay modelling tips through a learn-by-doing process. The entire training programme requires constant individual commitment on a daily base.

An educational partnership with: Volkswagen Group Design

VOLKSWAGEN
AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

recognition and quality system

SPD is recognized as an educational institutions by Regione Lombardia. The Masters courses offered by SPD are organized in collaboration with IULM University and award academic credits under the ECTS system. Please check with the Student Information Office for further details on the course of interest.

Lamborghini Cnossus academic project by Nelson Simoes and Viktar Filipchanka, students from the Master in Transportation and Car Design 2009-2010. At the end of the course Nelson Simoes has joined the Lamborghini Design Center in SantAgata; Viktar Filipchanka is now designer at Skoda Auto.
from the top: interior design study by Nelson Simoes; renderings by Viktar Filipchanka; students present their scale model to Filippo Perini, Head of Design Lamborghini Automobili SpA and Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Group Design.

Volkswagen eVan academic project by Krassi Dimitrov (Bulgaria) with Felipe Palermo (Brazil), students sponsored by Volkswagen Group Design thanks to a long-term collaboration programme with SPD. eVan is an electric vehicle intended to ease the supply operations to shops and small businesses in crowded city centers. The project was developed as a response to the mobility challenges the forthcoming Expo 2015 is posing to the city of Milan.
from the top: early concept sketches by Krassi Dimitrov with study of the moveable container unit; interim review with Walter de Silva, Head of Volkswagen Group Design; interior design detail.

from the top: design refinement, sketches by Krassi Dimitrov; SPD Transportation Laboratory lead, designer Andreas Zapatinas, reviews the model during the final presentation.

The student Kamil Labanowicz (Poland) developed the Audi Avant shooting brake concept under the assistance of Gary Telaak from Audi Exterior Design. Participants were tasked by Head of Volkswagen Group Design Walter de Silva to envision possible interpretations of the Audi Avant concept. Kamil Labanowicz is now working as exterior designer at the Audi Design Studio in Ingolstadt.
from the top: initial sketches by Kamil Labanowicz; Gary Telaak from Audi Design discusses the students work; the designer working on the physical model.

from the top: Audi active lifestyle enabler by Marc Reisen, concept research and final model; electric racing motorbike by Ian Dunn (USA).

from the top: Audi A0, academic project by Richard Cullis (UK); Volkswagen compact e-car by the students Dario di Valerio (Italy), Ian Dunn (USA) with Marc Reisen (USA).

from the top: output from the intensive workshop sessions led by Chris Bangle: concepts by Jay Kim and Takumi Yamamoto; Chris Bangle at work with the students. opposite:

Alessandro Maccolini, designer Alfa Romeo and Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Design FIAT Group Automobiles, discuss the proposals submitted by the students for a new Alfa Romeo flagship; detail of a CAD model; students at work.

SPD Scuola Politecnica di Design is the first postgraduate school for design disciplines in Italy, founded in Milan in 1954. Today SPD is an international laboratory for exchanging experiences, making contact with companies and professionals, for developing projects by keeping a balance between function and expression, and a solid orientation towards production and experimentation. The work developed every year and the young professionals from a strongly international background that the school is able to offer to the market are also testimony to this incredibly rewarding creative dialogue with companies, manufacturers and the various actors along the design chain.

Scuola Politecnica di Design SPD 20134 Milano, Italy via Ventura 15 t +39 0221597590 f +39 02 21597613 info@scuoladesign.com

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