According to our monthly blog tradition and following last month`s subject, this month will be devoted entirely to inspiring exhibitions (because we have already agreed that inspiration is everywhere, all you have to do is notice it).

If you are wondering why I chose exhibitions as the subject, the answer is simple. Something about big exhibitions excites me- the energies, the overwhelming amount of people, their size and creativity. Therefore, the monthly entry will be dedicated to one particular exhibition that thrilled me!

I have a little secret to share with you… before I started product designing my dream was actually automotive design. During my undergraduate degree, I discovered that in Israel the realization of my dream is not probable yet at the same time I was exposed to other realms of this incredible and exciting new field – industrial design.

Despite everything, in my spare time the love for vehicles remains. My visit to this exhibition isn`t a matter of chance- it`s both connected to my work as a designer and to my unrealized dream. Want to know what you have missed throughout this outstanding event? Keep reading while I tell you about some of the new trends, how they are formed together as a whole and what it really has to do with my work and you. By the way … if you will be patient, later on I will reveal how I almost embarrassed myself in front of strangers (well, maybe embarrassed myself a little in fact).

 

What is this event I`m talking about, you ask?

The 2015 IAA- the world’s largest International Automotive show (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) that takes place every two years in the city of banks and German industry, Frankfurt. This year the IAA celebrated in Frankfurt the 66^th exhibit, which means that the best companies of the world have introduced new concepts and revealed their models for 2016.

Frankfurt has traditionally introduced to the world many of the most significant German cars. Over the years, the show has revealed cars like the original Volkswagen beetle, Audi TT (first as a concept), BMW New Class (the 3rd Series predecessor) and X5, Mercedes SLR and McLaren SLS. And as if it weren’t enough, many of the most significant and interesting cars in the world were born there- Peugeot 406, Jaguar XF, Hyundai IX35, Alfa 156 and the list goes on.

Of course that an exhibition of that scale can`t take place without thousands of journalists attending and I did promise you an embarrassing story, can you guess what happened? If you guessed that I have been interviewed, you are right! Journalists from Jaguar magazine ambushed me right next to their spectacular display of a Jaguar cut in half to allow people to admire the sophistication of their engineering and design. Of course my reaction to all this wonder, total amazement mixed with a hint of awe, made them laugh and approach me in order to ask for my opinion. You can only imagine my excitement as the experience began embarrassing (with me stuttering) and quickly turned into a flowing conversation about our studio and how does it all connect to the automotive world. Want to see how it went? Visit the Jaguar web site and you will find out, I didn`t have the courage to watch 🙂

After having laughed a little at my expense, let`s cut to the chase…

 

Introducing this year`s innovations-

The design world and industrial design in particular, offers new trends every year in accordance with social needs, technological developments and outlines that dominate the world of design in general. Many of these trends influence the choices people make during everyday life, whether it`s picking a certain type of vase, deciding on home décor or buying a car.

When it comes to influencing the world`s design trends, the automotive industry ranks highly in the second place, right after the fashion industry.

Today the dominating trend in vehicle design is influenced by energy saving and environmental concern which reflects in the design of small, lightweight and aerodynamic cars. Alongside this trend, fluorescent and prominent vehicle colors like black, yellow and blue will dominate in the near future. In addition, Matte finishing and complete customization of a specific model individually to the customers request are also noticeable in this year`s event.

 

What do you really need to know about this exhibition and why?

At the IAA I came across countless halls filled with beauty and innovation. Out of all the new trends presented by various manufacturers using extraordinary displays, I have chosen to focus on three main aspects that caught my attention and I couldn`t wait to share with you and explain how it`s tied to my work and to you–my beloved readers.

 

Surfaces

As usual, I would like to start with a definition that will help clarify the precise meaning of surface that is used by the design industry.

“In mathematics, a surface is a two-dimensional, topological manifold. The most familiar examples are those that arise as the boundaries of solid objects in ordinary three-dimensional Euclidean space R3 “. Confused? Me too, but aside the strange and unfamiliar words like topological manifold and Euclidean space, we are left with a similar description to a surface in my line of work: the two-dimensional space (or in other words, the plane) that is created between 4 points.

The reason I`m presenting the mathematical definition first is due to the fact it was meant for an entirely different field, yet it provides a direct link and a wonderful glimpse into the world of design. The common denominator between science and design will keep repeating itself and will prove yet again that design is an integral and crucial part of countless different fields.

So, surfaces! I was delighted to see in Frankfurt that the automotive industry has advanced when it comes to the use of different surfaces, because it relates directly to the design field. Finally, the vehicle industry started to pay attention to surface work, after years of producing square and box-like cars (just remember how our older cars used to look). The first example that comes to mind when I think of this change is the new Seat. It has a small strip (or a line, if you like) that separates the doors, a surface if we use professional jargon. This single line provides a look that makes it seem like there are transitions in the panel, something wonderful is happening there and it creates an unusual focal point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surface work can be realized even in smaller products, by paying attention to detail. Both engineering and design elaboration come together to a clear visual image that is functional and aesthetic, which leads to the implementation of development and later to mass production.

Here at the studio we believe in minimalism- even a small thing, with little effort can make the biggest change. So whether the surface is used as a supplement to the structure strength while complementing the aesthetics of the design, or a functional component in the product and yet a part of its finish- all the small parts make up the finished product, depending on the sources of its inspiration. Intrigued? Visit our web-site and find out more about what the studio can do: Http://www.studio-rdd.com/

Take a look at the pictures and focus on the product lines and curves, note where the interest is created, how the materials match up and think about the things we have talked about so far. Now all that’s left is to write your thoughts down and share with me 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liked my post so far? Before I release the second half of it that will present the two remaining trends that this unique exhibition featured while revealing more secrets from the automotive world, our studio and the design field in general, can you guess what are the trends I chose? Take a tour on the website and use our products to make you`re guess. If you answer correctly you may even find yourself starring in part two of our monthly tradition 🙂

  Tags: 3d, car design, car show, concept cars, design, designers, Exhibition, Exhibition in Germany, exhibitions, Frankfurt, German industry, industrial design, merchandise, minimal design, minimalism, new concept cars, product design, products, studiordd, surfac, Surfaces, visual merchandising