Corus supports ‘Best Vehicle Design Award’ at ‘ICONS’ – The Coventry University Automotive MA Design Show
Dev O’Nion for the design concept “Apto Sapor” was awarded the ‘Best Vehicle Design’ accolade in the Corus sponsored private view of the Coventry University MA Automotive Design Show ‘ICONS’ held on Thursday 30 November 2006 at the Coventry Transport Museum.
Coventry Transport Museum
30th November 2006
The winning design was selected from a line-up of 13 international students by a distinguished judging panel, which included Patrick le Quément, Director of Design, Renault; Silvia Baruffaldi, Managing Editor, Auto & Design; Professor Michael Tovey, Dean of School of Art & Design, Coventry University and Professor Jon King, Director Corus Automotive.
Jon King, director of Corus Automotive and chair of the judging panel, said of the winning design: “It is a project that literally stretches the imagination. It is well researched, and explores a new form of design language and expression. This model really demonstrates the potential for his concept, which was well communicated – “Far out, but not out of reach. A new field with no limits.” Contrary to past competitions, it is also a concept for an interior rather than an exterior which won this year, highlighting its important role in car design: “The exterior keeps you out the car, but the interior keeps you in it.”
Patrick le Quément added: “I am delighted that this year the top prize has been awarded to an interior design concept. It is based on the use of new and innovative materials which allow a change in form and shape, in order to satisfy a desired function.”
Second prize at the event was awarded to Kazunori Inomata for his “F&D” concept. Jon King, said: “It is a convincing design solution with some real ideas for addressing driver anxiety, and urban safety. The concept has been extremely well executed, presented in its entirety using digital simulation.”
Patrick le Quément added: “It is a project which is very promising, conveying a feeling of protection, and thereby reducing the level of stress for the driver. The use of innovative rear-wheel steering promotes a completely new driving sensation.”
The third prize went to Jan Dedek for his “E-go” design. The design impressed the judges as it addresses a real issue of providing mobility in an urban environment. Patrick le Quément commented: “The design addresses a coherent and practical solution for the increasing number of city centres which are moving towards a car free environment. The need for mobility will remain, and this solution brings an acceptable method of transportation with minimum impact.”
Sponsorship of the Coventry University Automotive MA Design Show, now in its ninth consecutive year, forms part of Corus’ work in bridging the gap between advanced metal engineering and leading edge product design.
Commenting on the success of this year’s designs, Professor Michael Tovey, Dean of the School of Art and Design explains: “The judging panel are both very pleased and impressed by the general level of design in this year’s show. We were particularly delighted to see the number of conceptually and technically innovative designs, and were therefore happy to reward “out of the box” thinking during the selection of the competition’s prize winners.”
Jon King concluded: “By partnering an institute at the forefront of innovation in European automotive design, Corus can create a platform to better understand the needs and wants of young designers, which can impact the future material solutions being developed within the company.”
