car design thread

OK, if that's the case, there are probably several reasons
First is the way the human eye perceives 3D forms & surfaces
The ability to observe something in 3D is what the eye is used to seeing
we also are used to seeing things in 2D but they're just that....... 2 dimensional
the ability to 'walk around & observe an object is different than the experience of looking at a photo
That's one of the reasons most car companies design staffs like to take the models outside in natural sunlight and 'walk around' the car
in addition, they also look different when viewed in traffic in their 'natural' environment rather than in an auto show environment or on a design staff viewing facility
in a design studio environment often times the viewer is physically too close to the car, you need to back away and observe it from a distance
so looking at mediocre photos just don't tell the whole story
you can look at photos of the coliseum in Rome forever.........but seeing it live & in person is a different experience
any famous landmark is the same.......looking at photos is great, but it usually looks different in person
it's a matter of scale, lighting, etc.
that's just the 'big picture' story.....there are probably scientific reasons as well, but that's over my head

 

Can you provide some examples?

 

When you see a new design, often times it takes some time to appreciate it. When you see it in person, your mind can better understand the dimensionality of it, more easily see the subtle and spacial relationships that may be hard to fully understand when seen in 2D. When you view a 2D image of a design you already know, your brain fills in the gaps of information, making the 2D image appear, to your mind, as the more fully developed design you are used to seeing. Theoretically, if you were to revisit those 2D images, which you found unappealing, after seeing the real thing, you would not find them as offensive.

 

-- The one that sticks out most is the Maccan. While I wasn't thrilled when I saw it in person, it was far, far better in 3D than in Porsche's usually meticulous photo- and video-graphy.

-- Same for the Panamera.

-- The Ford GT's rear isn't flawless to my eyes but it's far, far better than it was in the pics and vids.

I can come up with more if I think on it (I thought the side intakes of both the 4C and 488 would be worse than they were.) But it seems car nuts and car journalists are both making this point at an accelerated rate these days. (Talk of the Maser SUV on FChat is one example.)

My thanks in advance, JK.

 

I find this an interesting question since I often find the reverse - things that seemed OK in 2d (or, as often happens these days, were fudged in 2d) end up dreadful in reality, and often the mistakes are glaring. I can't help wondering if that's what happened with many of the fugly cars in the other thread.

 

I wonder if some of this has to do with color. Design evaluation is regularly in silver because it does a great job of highlighting surface changes.

At the opposite end is that with the tools available in computer programs they can make a surface appear to have more surface contour/transition movement than the eye will discern.

 

this is equally a problem.......more so with some companies/designers than others
the sole reliance on doing everything virtual/digital can often result in less than stellar results
I find my students have a difficult time accepting the idea that their beautifully rendered/designed Alias models looks less than perfect when translated into a 3D clay/foam model.....**** happens!
as the technology improves, this may go away, but it's still an integral part of being able to visualize form/surface in 2d V. 3D

 

Lexus IS sedan refreshed and restyled in Beijing:

Lexus continues to amaze....
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Whereas the Chinese appear to 'get it'
the interior in the Leeco Lesee is one of the most creative i've seen in a long time..
http://www.cardesignnews.com/articles/cdn-live/beijing/2016/04/leeco-lesee/
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That first picture of the overall body shape makes me think of a plastic electric Panamera.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

in the cardesignnews article they make reference to the Panamera

 

Oops, missed the link the first time.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Flavio Manzoni on Ferrari Design
Nine things you didn't know about Ferrari - CNN Video

 

UP DESIGN LUCE & VALENTINO UNVEILED......


Looks like a Jag/Maserati/Tesla all in one, with a touch of Ferrari.
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was this in Beijing?

 

That is just a digital image of nothing.

 

no wonder I missed it! Thanks.

 

Apparently the real car (and a 5 door) will be displayed in June in Torino, but I would not hold your breath.

 

Oh and isn't that the problem... An original thought anyone? Although at least this one isn't plain ugly...

 

From the Beijing Auto show comes the very first 'spiderweb' grille texture I have ever seen....what next?
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Oops, I did ask for 'original' ideas... Guess we're not entering a golden age of design just yet.
PS anyone want to run a bet on just how many elements can be squeezed into 1 front end 'design' - I count 10 on this thing.

 

As someone with arachnophobia, I hate it.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

while I may or may not suffer from arachnophobia......it's not the prettiest front end i've ever seen either

 

And yet it still looks better than this in production hunk of scrap metal....
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every time I see the 'side vents' on one of those, I cringe