Coventry University MA Automotive Design degree show 2001

This years graduating MA Automotive Design students at Coventry University's School of Art and Design have recently displayed their work at the end of the one-year course. Sponsored by CORUS, the show was held at Coventry University's Technology Park from 21-25th of September.

The projects on display from the 21 MA students varied in both vehicle type and media chosen with which to communicate the design.

Matthew Blaylock displayed an Advanced Vehicle for 2030. The very impressive model and design won the top vote of judges for the Corus Award for Best Vehicle Design in the show. It set out to initiate a production process that would allow customers to participate in the design and specification of their own vehicle.

Takumi Yamamoto from Japan, had a European answer to what an American Pickup should be. His idea would allow a European manufacturer to capture a slice of the vast Pickup market in America.

Carlo Brunelli had a new concept for Alfa Romeo, in the shape of his “Nuova”. His intention was to introduce a versatile MPV interior within the shape of a new mid-size sports coupe. Time spent at Alfa’s design studio helped him towards producing a convincing, 'production ready' looking design and execution.

David Hart showed the results of an investigation into vehicle aesthetics, with unique influences in the creation of his model's sculptural forms.

Zhen Sun from China used his knowledge and experience to challenge himself to produce a Economical Family Car for China. “With a fifth of the worlds population eager to spend newly acquired wealth on modern technological products”, he says. “The car had to be a blueprint for the next generation of economical passenger cars”

Thomas Mikkelsen, with help from Honda, designed a potential replacement for the “Old” Honda NSX sports car

Building on the reputation of the BA Transportation Design course, the masters program offers its students two routes to graduation. Although both paths emphasize Research as an importation skill to master, it is the MA Automotive Design Research degree that sets far more of a 'Research Exploration' task, than 'Surface Exploration' in the MA Automotive Design course.

The features within these different routes available are as follows:

MA Automotive Design
- Aesthetics and Ergonomics
- Consumer demands and legislation
- Production systems and technical feasibility
- The design business
- Idea communication
- Advanced design software application
- Design solution generation, analysis, synthesis and evaluation
- Application of methods to design projects.

MA Automotive Design Research
- Creative skills and application
- Research methods, creation, application and evaluation.
- Automotive design practice and impact, in 2D and 3D CAD systems
- Design intent communication and skills
- The “Ideas” process
- Automotive design management
- The wider context to automotive design

Both routes in the 50 week course are designed to appeal to former BA Design graduates who would like to spend a year honing their skills or acquiring new ones, especially with advanced design 3D software. A full years study is divided between three projects, with each having a different emphasis and freedom level.

The first two projects lasting 10 weeks each have a sponsoring manufacturer that sets a specific brief. Much more freedom is given to the student’s final project, lasting 30 weeks. Some guidelines are set for the project choice, and a Research Report has to be produced, stating their intent for creating such an idea.

Coventry University School of Art and Design website: www.coventry.ac.uk