January 19, 2010 by Patrick
Buick Regal GS Concept Interior
Could this interior really be a Buick? Just looking at it and knowing you’re sitting in a Buick makes you feel confused, disoriented, and even a little shocked. If it weren’t for that badge on the steering wheel, you’d never know you were in a Buick. The name and the look seem so contradictory that it will take some time to get used to. But we will and hopefully all Buick’s will look this good. Notice the stitching, perforations, metallic surfaces, steering wheel graphics and forms, center console switches, AND a MANUAL SHIFTER!
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Buick Regal GS Concept Interior
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Posted in Automobiles, Inspiration | Tagged auto show, buick, car interior, detroit, gs, regal | Leave a Comment »
January 17, 2010 by Patrick
After the visually challenging
GMC Terrain, it’s good to see that Design still lives at GMC. This year’s Detroit show had far fewer Concept Vehicles due to the industry downturn and with GM and others suffering from the global financial, one wonders how GMC survived the onslaught. Perhaps it’s the low-cost of differentiating the GMC nameplate from Chevy, or perhaps there really is some equity in ‘GMC’ someplace in America. Whatever the reason, the Granite as a GMC or any other brand for that matter, is a good piece of Design. It’s forms exude a solid, rock-like (granite?) quality and the low, wide stance adds to the sense of stability and steadfastness. The frontal openings (negative space) are deeply drawn and further enhance the illusion of surface depth. The grills below the headlamps have an almost R8 look to them. At the same time, the side vents along the front doors have an almost paper-like or origami-esque feeling to them. It looks good and it’s interesting but I”m not sure I would call it granite-like. These gills seems like a different theme from the front end appearance and the overall proportion and stance of the vehicle. The rear view of the vehicle offers a similarly chiseled feel with the liftgate shutline/graphic strengthening a boxy volume.
It’s difficult to believe the Terrain and the Granite come from the same company but one is a production vehicle and the other a concept. Still, there’s really no excuse for the Terrain. I do hope it is a commercial success at least.
From a Design viewpoint, the Granite rates about 3.5 Stars with the side view paper-thin surface changes being the only questionable element of the design – but even that is interesting!
Posted in Automobiles, Inspiration | Tagged concept car, detroit auto show, gmc, granite, naias | Leave a Comment »
December 22, 2009 by Patrick
Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION
Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz CLS shooting brake in the works? — Autoblog. Here’s the Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION from last year but still worth a good look. Looking ready for production, this 2 door wagon or ‘Shooting Brake’ is a nice piece of Design. M-B usually does a great job with surface and graphics whereas the details and proportions can be a little controversial – example: GLK. The concept here may not be practical but with the addtion of rear doors – this concept would make a very sporty wagon much like the Cadillac CTS Wagon. Speaking of the CTS, it sure is about time for Cadillac to move on from the razor edge folded paper look. It looked a little simplistic from the beginning and now it just looks dated.
Posted in Automobiles | Tagged concept car, conceptfascination, mercedes, mercedes-benz | Leave a Comment »
November 12, 2009 by Patrick
If looking at the new GMC Terrain has you staring in disbelief, you aren’t the only one. After spending millions in the design and development of this new product, how can GM allow this to happen? Not only that, but our tax dollars are supporting this company and this brand. If the government is going to spend our tax payer dollars, at least give us good design! The blocky, primitive forms and graphics, the overly simplistic wheel openings that pinch the tires, the lack of a dynamic stance, the absence of a strong side view graphic, the curb rubbing front air dam on an SUV? It’s no wonder that GM is suffering the way it is. I sure hope this second chance we’ve given them results in better designs.
Posted in Automobiles, Inspiration | Tagged design, gm, gmc, SUV, terrain | 1 Comment »
November 12, 2009 by Patrick
For years digital camera manufactures have been a leading force of innovation. Not only are they packing more into less by adding more megapixels and features into the same size package and price, they are also doing some really cool things like this new Samsung camera. Now you can take self portraits using the small LCD on the front of the camera for framing. No more holding the camera out, taking the shot, and then checking to see if you captured everyone in the frame.
Posted in Inspiration, Product Ideas | Tagged digital camera, innovation | Leave a Comment »
November 12, 2009 by Patrick
Further blurring the line between cell phones and digital cameras is the new Samsung Memoir. Equipped with an 8 Megapixel camera – now you can have a full features point and shoot high resolution camera with you all the time. For the first time, photography enthusiasts can consider leaving the digital camera at home if they have one of these. How soon before Nikon or Canon come out with a phone? I’m sure Olympus will do it first!
Posted in Inspiration, Product Ideas | Tagged cell phone, digital camera, innovation, samsung | Leave a Comment »
November 12, 2009 by Patrick
The fusion of product categories continues… just as GPS navigation takes off with cell phone users, just as camera phones are hitting 8 megapixels, the dedicated navigation device is fighting back. Now Garmin has a navi phone so you can have truly remarkable navigation (and a phone and camera too). The merging and blending of product features goes on and it will be interesting to see where it ends up. Will we truly have a single mobile device that is just as good as multiple dedicated devices?
Posted in Automobiles, Inspiration, Product Ideas | Tagged digital camera, gps, innovation, navi, phone | Leave a Comment »
