Lada 2050 Future Vision: The story began in 2016 when our friends in Moscow suggested an ambitious project idea. We cautiously agreed to attempt a project to collaborate with 2 other schools, and one very large car company. The project was for Lada Moscow, and eventually things were set in motion when 12 of our students travelled to Moscow to take part in a 1 week workshop. Our generous hosts at Moscow Polytechnic looked after us handsomely, and that week was the beginning of a 3 month project coordinated between Moscow Polytechnic, Steiglitz Academy of St. Petersburg, and Lahti Institute of Design. Lada Moscow chief designer Raphael Linari mentored the students on this project, with close guidance and feedback every step of the way. We are all extremely grateful to his input. 36 students took part and worked as 6 teams of 6. Each team had 2 members from each school, to ensure cross collaboration. After the 1 week intensive workshops, development of vehicle concepts continued within each group- but with internal competition driving the projects. Students regularly pitched their projects to Raphael Linari, who was instrumental in his feedback, along with staff of all institutes guiding students. On our side, students were helped greatly by Tapani Jokinen with the strategic design and future scenario aspects of this project, and we thank him for that. 2050 is far in the future, and Lada as a business were interested in true blue-sky thinking. The competition was narrowed down to 9 designs (from 36) but eventually only one was chosen to be produced and developed fully. The project continued in 2017 in Moscow, with a specially selected team working to finish the final design. That team worked to create a scale model for the Moscow biennale Design exhibition, in April 2017. This video shows the final result of the project, and I have included a gallery of some of our activities in Moscow.
There is a lot more info on various aspects of this project, at Cardesign.ru. Follow the link!
STANCE are holding an art exhibition! Here’s the info… (note: the gallery is closed on Monday and Tuesday)
This exhibition aims to showcase the art that happens behind the scenes, simply as part of our design process in Vehicle Design. Often these sketches and models are discarded or ignored as designs progress towards their final stages. The aim of our exhibition is to celebrate the artistry and creativity that happens spontaneously on paper, on canvas, on scraps of paper, on napkins at dinner, in our notebooks on the train etc. A designer must transition from art to commerce (a real product) but the emotion and energies of these early rough beginnings are vital to keep alive in our designs, in order to create successful vehicles.
In Vehicle Design, the designer must celebrate and practice their artistic skills.
These works are selected from current and previous Vehicle Design Bachelors students of Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts. Some works are selected from students of Transportation design at Steiglitz Academy of Art and Design in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2015 our students worked with their peers in Russia for a 10 day automotive design workshop.
June 2016, our second ever Vehicle Design graduation show will arrive. STANCE16 will follow a similar format to STANCE15, with a public exhibition on June 2nd, following a VIP invitation only night on June 1st. We try to invite all of you who contribute to the automotive and vehicle design business here in Finland and across the world. Apologies in advance if we leave you out- let us know as our contact list needs to expand! First we have to prepare though, and even more importantly our students must complete their studies by creating a final thesis and design project. This year we will have a diverse range of projects and vehicles (no spoilers, unless they have aerodynamic function!) and we hope they will prove interesting to any visitors and our followers. 2015 gained us some great press coverage, for which we are very thankful. We bring you this blog post, to show what went into the show preparations last year and to showcase some of the projects once again. Please watch this space for news of this years show, and check your inboxes for those VIP invites!
Last year, students produced a couple of traditional 1:4 scale clay/hard models, another 3D digitally printed vehicle at 1:8 scale, and impressive digitally realised designs. Here is some information from our 2015 graduates.
Graduation works
Crawler Batmobile on the streets of Gotham
Pekka Puhakka / Crawler – Batmobile
The goal of my graduation project is to study Batman as a hero and the phenomenon and history behind the character. Based on my background studies my aim is to design my own visual concept of the legendary hero-car called Batmobile. The end result will be a written graduation project, finished 3Dmodel and renderings of the model in an environment that is representing Gotham City. After the final seminar the aim is to produce 3D-printed plastic scale-model car to be used in all the possible presentations that are going to be held later on. The work represents my own vision of Batmobile. It has nothing to do with DC-Comics that owns all the copyrights to Batman and Batmobile. This is a student project and it will not going to be used in any kind of commercial purposes in future.
This is the graduation project of Vehicle Design course made in Lahti Institute of design (Lahti University of Applied Sciences) The subject of the project is a futuristic vision of a “search & rescue” vehicle for arctic regions operating both on land and in the air. In this project one concentrates on search and rescue work in certain areas, rescue methods used in arctic conditions and technology that is used in rescue vehicles operating on snowy conditions. The character of the project is meant to be a conceptual vision of future needs of search & rescue vehicle in arctic regions for a year 2035.
Viljami is now studying Transport Design Masters program at Umea University.
Michelin Challenge 2015 entry – sketches and design process.
Olli Seppälä / Michelin Challenge
The topic of this graduation project is a competition work to an international automotive design challenge named Michelin Challenge. The Challenge has been organized almost every year and this time the brief is to design a people’s car for an already defined or self-defined market sector. I designed an electric or hybrid powered car and its market sector is South-Asia. In this project I have studied the conditions, roads, traffic and culture that affects the final design. I made a study of old car icons which have reached the people’s car-title in their own time. My concept is meant to be a very light weight and environmental friendly car and in its design process I have focused on the manufacturing. This car’s structure is 3d printed and the manufacturing is meant to happen locally close to the consumers. In this thesis I focused mostly to the car’s basic appearance, exterior and functionality but I designed also the interior to the car. This project includes a 3d-model, clay model and hard model.
Olli is currently teaching at LAMK and working freelance.
Porsche 881exterior design sketch
Kalle Keituri / Porsche 881
Chemistry and nature offer a lot of sustainable solutions to be used. Inspired by reactioms, forms and adaptability of advanced sciences, a conceptional idea for my graduation project was formed. By exploring the history of different car brands, Porsche was fullfilling the needs of my concept perfectly. My aim was to create a connection between Porsche design philosophy and chemistry. The concept idea is to make a bold and pure interpretation of a future Porsche sports car. My project concentrates on exterior design. Together with chemistry inspired innovative technological, material and aerodynamic solutions, the aim is to give Porsche design language another expression. The main focus in this project is the design process from early ideation sketches to an 1:4 sized scale model of the exterior and by this to develop my skills as a designer.
PURE Driving interior design sketch
Antti Laukkanen / Pure Driving
Pure driving is a design study of an autonomous car interior. As it is a study of design, it is also a study of the core idea of driving and driving experience. My concept PURE differs from classic autonomous car interiors as my goal was to cherish the very original purpose of driving. Autonomous car interior concepts are almost without exception closer to normal livingrooms than what we consider automotive interiors. So in my research I focused on finding out what makes a good driving experience and how can I maintain the best possible experience, when we get rid off the steering wheel as it is essential in a contemporary car. I needed to find out what other senses and factors are activated in good driving experience. This concept is made for public use so it should show that it is accessible for wide range of users.
My research incldues the history and evolution of the car industry, its technical solutions from materials to powersources and also a new possibilities that autonomous cars bring along themselves. However, I didn’t want to go too deep in to technical solutions and manufacturability, but concentrate on materials and possible experiences and scenarios.
Big part of the research was the future and user research method, that I used to get ideas what is pure driving and which objects are essential inside the car. With this method I also wanted to show a new approach into future research and show that maybe we have to change our way of thinking about future users.
My first intention was not to brand my product for any brand but as I was doing my research I realized that it fits well in to values of Google. Google also launched their autonomous car concept little while ago so I thought that I have a good chance to show my own perspective of Google’s autonmous car interior.
The final product is presented in 2D renderings and pictures. In my design process I used also physical and computer model mockups as a design tool.
Antti is now studying Transport Design Masters program at Umea University.
Fully realised CAD model of TOBI
Sami Kallamäki / TOBI –electric assisted trekkind bike concept
Topic of this thesis is electric assisted trekking bike concept. Design target is aesthetic trekking bike for longer distances using todays technology and tomorrows innovations. Design drivers are credibility and clearness.
Sami is still to decide on his next adventure… contact us if you would like to make him an offer!
I would now like to share these exclusive images, which were not released to the press. These are rough images from behind the scenes during the 6 months of 2015 leading to our show. Images from our workshops, our design classrooms and finally setting up and running of our public exhibition in conjunction with the entire Lahti Design Institute in 2015.
Clay blob… gotta start somehow!
Form
Design
Simple – ready to cast.
Stage 1 of cast- divide the mould
Stage 2 of cast – smother in plaster
The (plaster) Thing
Washing-up liquid is the perfect release agent.
Never perfect – but now we have a mould.
Porsche project
Inspiration
Dynoc film to check surfaces.
Lecturer and student discussion.
Ready to cast
Tape as release agent
Experimental mould techniques… epoxy!
White Porsche
GRP mould this time.
Stubborn to remove…
Negative mould, complete with flaws…
3D printed wheels in spray booth
3D printed car – sprayed and filled seamlessly.
Logo 3D print from Shapeways.
PR in full swing thanks to Motori.
YLE TV crew visiting us in our workshops.
Olli makes it to national TV news
Lecturer in smart suit shocker (a total accident!)
Safe transportation to the show.
More bubble wrap, for a very expensive 3D print.
Lower year students were enormous help organising and setting up the show for our graduates.
VIP night moments before VIPs arrived.
Here we go!
Another gallery is needed to show the actual VIP event, and also the public exhibition. Most of these images were published by other news blogs at the time, but now we add some of our own packing up images. We had no idea we would be back at the same place 2016!
2015 is the year that our first Vehicle Design students will graduate. Vehicle Design has always been part of our curriculum here, but 4 years ago we began teaching it as a full time Bachelors level degree. After 4 years our students reach a high level of competence, and to showcase their skills they collaborated on a project led by a professional car designer. The project gained recognition in the automotive design world, being featured on Auto&Design Facebook page and kickstarting a lot of local press attention too.
Our student’s brief was to create a new benchmark for a premium electric vehicle segment in the year 2025. It was to be branded Mercedes-Benz.
After three intensive months of design studies and weekly concept development stages, here is the final design.
ExteriorExteriorExteriorInteriorExterior
The story of the design is shown at Behance, or in the following gallery.
The flight tickets we purchased in November have been burning in our pockets and now at last we are sitting at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, ready for the departure to Geneva Motor Show.
The upcoming trip is the first tangible contact with the future profession for the five vehicle design students sitting in the narrow seats of the plane .
After leaving the luggage to the hotel we had a quick lunch. Now we stand in front of a large building, which has “ARENA” written on its wall with walloping letters next to a big sign stating that the 83rd Geneve Motor Show is exhibited inside.
After a long walk, past the exhibition of spare parts and whatnots and through long corridors, a giant hall dazzles us with its hundreds of cars that reflect the sparkles coming from thousands of bright spotlights in the ceiling. The moment is breathtaking. This is what we have been waiting for. And for a good reason.
The first section is Fisker, a hybrid made in Finland. Cars are in their private stalls, which are surrounded by a low fence made of glass and a gate. The cars are visible, but out of reach. Apparently our puzzlement is still strong, as we march directly to the gatekeeper and ask to get a closer look at the cars. Whether it be our Finnish accent, our distinguished looks or our bold attitude, the gates open immediately and a friendly demonstrator guides us to have a closer look at the first Fisker Karma. After a thorough inspection of the Fisker, we move on to the next department, where we found that entry to these stalls is not a foregone conclusion. Next came one of the smaller Italian car makers, which had a slightly more morose bouncer than we had gotten used to. A closer inspection of the Ferraris was not meant for us this year.
8 hours flew by faster than you can say “Jack Robinson and a Bentley”. One can see and experience a lot in a day, but so much was left unseen. Luckily we had reserved two days for the exhibition. In the evening we went to central Geneva to dine in an Indian restaurant, and then headed back to the hotel for a good night‘s sleep. The eager anticipation of the following day made us dream of Rolls Royces and Aston Martins, but hey we’ve all had those dreams, aye?
After our car filled dreams we head on to the breakfast buffet at the hotel. Over a cup of espresso we talk about the cars we had already seen, the cars we had missed and the cars that had to be seen again. The latter included multiple super cars such as the McLaren P1, Lamborghini Veneno and Koenigsegg “Hundra” and a few concepts, especially Kia’s new Provo which we regarded as one of the most interesting.
The hotels mini-bus, driven by Miguel from Spain, briskly left the parking lot and in an instant we were on the road to the Motor Show. The ride took us no more than ten minutes, half of the time we once again spent walking through the exhibition of spare parts and whatnots towards the light. I remember pondering that now that we have seen it, there might not be anything left to astonish us.
Boy o boy was I wrong! Since today was Friday, the amount of visitors had doubled since yesterday and hullabaloo was inevitable. Now that the beautiful light pollution shining from the brightly waxed cars was complemented with a ripple of conversation and frequent roars from the audience, we felt that the atmosphere was … well indescribable. This time we dived into the crowd like old stagers. All of us headed in different directions according to our personal interests.
A rendezvous was set at one of the exhibitions restaurants, where we ate a delicious lunch and talked about the most interesting cars we’d seen. Topics ranged from Fisker Karmas solar panel roof to Toyotas peculiar tricycle looking vehicle. Of course we discussed about which cars we had sat in and which cars had the most comfortable and ergonomic interiors. Some of the less exciting smaller cars, which were already in the market, presented us an opportunity to sit back and relax as an offset to the feet consuming pilgrimage. You’ll get the picture if you imagine yourself relaxing in the driver’s seat of an Audi S8, while there is a 10 meter long queue eagerly waiting to have a brief moment behind the wheel that you are so longingly caressing .
We were tired but happy as we entered our carriage which was taking us back to the hotel, where we freshened up and apportioned our treasures (a thick stack of brochures). After freshening up we were ready for a dinner and some partying.
Food was awesome as was the party!
Our return flight was scheduled for the evening, leaving us a full day to explore the vernal Geneva. We spend the day shopping and walking by the beautiful Lake Geneva. At 19.00 we were once again airborne and the return to the arctic would be an inescapable fact. All together the excursion was swift but very rewarding and educational.
JOONAS VARTOLA, graduated from Industrial Design in 2006. Graduated from Royal College of Art Vehicle Design in 2009. Specialized in vehicle design
What do you do for a living?
-I’m a vehicle designer at Tesla Motors in Los Angeles. Tesla designs, manufactures and sells premium class electric cars. My main areas of responsibility include exterior and interior design. As we have a small team, I also focus on components to an extent.
Why did you choose this specific field?
-We didn’t engage in designing cars so much in Lahti, but previous graduates from the Institute of Design influenced my decision to get involved. Vehicle design is the most comprehensive and challenging form of industrial design that I know. So many elements need to be considered when designing a car, such as the interior, exterior, details, driveability, appeal, duration, price, aerodynamics, multifunctional interiors… Cars have fascinated me since I was small, but I’m not a car fanatic and can’t even fix one.
What inspires you as a designer?
-I am a passionate follower of minimalism. I get incredibly excited about new structures, and natural forms are an endless source of inspiration to me. I love to draw – it is one of the reasons I chose to specialise in vehicle design, as most of the work is carried out by drawing or sculpting surfaces, textures and outlines. An exterior of a car always aims for perfection.
Vehicle design is probably the dream job for many little and slightly bigger boys. Why did you become interested in the field?
-I’ve been drawing cars since preschool, and started fixingcars already before I was old enough to get a driving license. Gradually, I became interested in the overall design of cars. I can’t really even think of another field I’d like to work in and which I’d be so enthusiastic about. Vehicle Design is a new major degree programme at the Institute of Design.
Have you enjoyed it?
-Designers who have graduated from Industrial Design have been employed by the vehicle industry already before, so I had high expectations about the programme. And I can say that I haven’t been disappointed. I enjoy the studies, and the teachers are good and up-to-date with changes in the sector. The atmosphere in our class is excellent, and everyone is motivated. The sector is very competitive.
How can one succeed?
-It’s hard to say at this stage. However, I believe that studying at Lahti Institute of Design provides adequate skills for future employment needs. The rest is up to yourself.
Your dream employer?
-BMW
2018 update: Kalle graduated in 2015, and continued his studies at the RCA London, Vehicle Design Masters course, and in 2017 he began his automotive design career at Rolls Royce Motor Cars, UK design studio, which incidentally is owned by BMW! Dream achieved.
