Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show 2009 – Part 1

in: Automotive Design , Design Schools 10 August 2009

A comprehensive report form the 2009 Degree Show of the Automotive Design students at Swansea Metropolitan University, held on last July 2009 at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, UK.

On last July 2009 graduates from Swansea Metropolitan University, based on the South Wales coast, have exhibited their final year BA & BSc Automotive Design projects at the National Waterfront Museum.

The projects range from the slightly avant-garde to high quality next generation or niche vehicles. Students were encouraged to select a philosophical direction that suited their passions and desired future career aspirations.

Below we report a selection of the projects (in two parts).

Ferrari F75 Mugello by Adam Flay

The Ferrari F75 Mugello is a design study aimed at producing an archetype for future eco-friendly supercars. The concept is powered by a mid-mounted electrical motor and twin turbine boosters, providing a sustainable solution for the supercar of tomorrow’s world with no compromises on performance, style or beauty.

The concept also rejuvenates Ferrari’s classic surface language to produce a timeless design with the brands passion, poetic drama and Italian beauty to celebrate the 75th anniversary (2022) of the Prancing Horse.

The concept is inspired by technical F1 aerodynamics juxtaposed with sleek, organic surfaces, representing the green credentials the vehicle showcases.

Leatherman ‘Wrath’ 2083 by Alexander Barnard

The Wrath was conceived in an age when everything is controlled by computers and electronics, a vision based on our current rate of world development of ruling out human input and encasing technologies with facades.

Therefore it became important to fore see the motorcycle as a ‘future modern retro’, a vehicle which is constructive and mechanical in styling with regressions toward early 21st century ‘custom choppers’ and attempt to defy the aging process in a similar was to its inspirational pre cursor, the Leatherman multi-tool.

An object so functional yet elegant that it does not appear to date and looks new every time you see it.

The motorcycle steers clear of simply adopting the appearance of a multi-tool and being loaded with functions and becoming like a ‘transformer’, but offers the user a product which is customisable to suit riding style or conditions.

Citroen Naitre by Matthew Dewey

Citroen Naitre was designed to be a fresh exciting project looking at the automotive design industry in a new light, for this to be possible an innovative and open mind of trying new packaging and technologies becoming more apparent. With ‘algae’ as the fuel source, it was important that the vehicle had the appearance of utilising new technologies.

The Citroen brand was chosen for its past, present and future design proposals and how they have stood out from the crowd, pushing our perceptions of the automobile.

Through looking into the brand it was found that it is a very passenger orientated brand giving a great base to produce an advanced passenger driven design, whilst incorporating factors of emotion in design giving not only depth to the project but a solid theme from the start.

Mazda Yuuga Coupe by Imran Ali

This design study investigates into a niche Mazda coupé which takes the brand into the prestigious car market. It will fill the gap which currently exists within Mazda’s current product range and will also offer something distinctive and unique when compared to its main competitors.

It must also encompass the Mazda brand by capturing the zoom – zoom spirit, the soul of a sports car in a new emotional way.

The Mazda Yuuga, an elegant, four seat coupé. The Mazda Yuuga shows the progression of the flowing aerodynamic surface styling inspired by Mazda’s conceptual emotion of motion design language and has indications of the typical design cues of the brand.

Audi AM by Shaun Stevens

The Audi A M (mono wheel) is a concept created and designed to improve the sustainability of inner city personal commuting. With climate issues ever increasing and inner city congestion proving problematic day by day, the automotive companies and public’s responsibility to act is also building, the Audi A M’s purpose is to offer compact and innovative transportation option that has been driven by necessity and not restrained by design.

The Audi A M has been created with a passion for innovation and environmental awareness. Using Audi’s technological advances the A M’s creation will now offer such excitement that is powered by electricity and utilizes balance sensor technology.

The compilation of Audi’s technical strength and pure brand values creates a concept that offers a fresh new innovate mode of transport.

About the Design Courses at Swansea Metropolitan University

A relative newcomer to Automotive & Transport design, this being only the second BA graduate cohort to graduate. Although only a three year course the high standard of work has received positive industry support in recent years.

Swansea Metropolitan University 2009 Design Exhibition

The Automotive Design BA & BSc courses are run by Paul Morrow who trained at Coventry & Pforzheim & practiced as a designer for London Taxis R&D (now known as Modec) and Sergio Fontanarosa who practiced as a designer with ItalDesign Giugiaro.