Nearly there! I have the design nailed down now thanks to the completion of the chasssis and other such factors. I had to adapt the shape slightly however as the first iteration was based only on a floor plan and people sat on it, purely a styling exercise. The last couple of weeks have been focussing on the details and adapting to altering engineering plans. This, though sometimes slightly annoying is very usful practice and instead of being angry and staunchly "designer" I have come to rather like the fluctuations. It makes the the thing I'm creating seem more tangible and real. If anything I am being too passive and felxible. Martin has, on a couple of occasions, told me stories when at BMW and at Jaguar where the designer has taken exception to the suggestion of an alteration and had various bits of art kit lobbed at him. Apparently this happened with Iain Callum, Martin had wanted to change something and then was hit by a marker thrown by Iain! So apparently I've got to get my polo neck jumper and purple frame glasses on and be more dramatic... can do.
I was able to complete the design in marker and black pencil today and scan it and, since the office was devoid of most of the people, take the whole place apart and clear room around my full size, office equipment made rig. The purpose of this (inc taking down office partitions ;-) was so I could project the scanned image on to the large, blank wall behind the rig, full sized and see if the folk would fit in and if the proportions at this size worked as a whole entity. I feel it does and its very heartening to see a full mockup of the vehicle. I went to hobby craft to buy big sheets of paper to tape to the wall so can draw on the full sized thing. I will then tape and alter accordingly. Its been good so far!
I must do my presentation tomorrow though for Uni on how the placement has been/going. Martin etc are gone tomorrow so will have time. Ciao.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Sunday, 9 August 2009
A little update
Im around halfway through this curent project and It seems to be going rather well. We have a chassis (despite some confusion on the part of Indian friend) and a design of how it looks. I was able to generate an exterior that was popular and I liked rather quickly. I have since been coming up with some interior solutions but this is taking longer as I'm not as experienced in this area. I know what I want it to look like and how it should be executed but its not that easy. It's somewhat frustrating. Long calls and chassis and construction developments have delayed the process of design. Now that we have the base nailed down I'll probably have to re-examine the exterior too.
Its all new and all very interesting though and I see the advantage of working with the engineers and how rare this experience is. However I'm not finding too enlightening in terms of soft skills like being taught things in my own field. I guess that was the italy side of things and this is the other side of the job, working in a team of different professions.
My task now is to draw the interior and start on the features. Coming up with the exterior shape and interior shape with features is a tall order in anyones book though and I've just got to keep going.
Its all new and all very interesting though and I see the advantage of working with the engineers and how rare this experience is. However I'm not finding too enlightening in terms of soft skills like being taught things in my own field. I guess that was the italy side of things and this is the other side of the job, working in a team of different professions.
My task now is to draw the interior and start on the features. Coming up with the exterior shape and interior shape with features is a tall order in anyones book though and I've just got to keep going.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
New Project Progress
Just a quick one... The new project is going well. Its aa very interestingly paced process, there seems to be a week for every phase of this phase of the development, which is rather good, actually. It is nice to have this set deadline every week so there is NO flexibilty in when things get done. There is no "Ill do it over the weekend". By the end offriday Ill have put down how I think it ought to look (a certainty it will change though and quite significantly) and some features I think will be cool, cheap, marketable addditions/features. This is another kicker with this project, there is very little groundwork on which to build. Usually (as with the last one) some packaging phase has been done, marketing has put down a wedge of stipulations and there is a company brief and a theme to help direct your ideas...not so here. Martin who is putting down the engineering concepts and innovations for this project is working very closely with me (I'm doing the ergonomics and styling of interior and exterior) in determining what things look like and how things work. It wouldn't work so well if he wasnt as enthusiastic as he is, there is a respect and interest in design and he will adapt and swap things around to suit my design, which, in turn, I'm finding the engineering so innovative I'm more than happy to adapt my solutions to the increased practicality and uniqueness(?) of the vehicle. It means I'm having to be very flexible in adapting ideas, which is good practice I guess. It also means I'm having a rather large input on how this vehicle gets made from the very start, its a good feeling. Its got pleanty of time to go tits up though yet!
I've got a shape, some features I'm pushing for and a feel I'm rather happy with. Certain areas are far from sorted but all I need for Friday is a shape and a direction. I've got 3 (!) huge whiteboards on which to scrawl too and its ggreat but its attracting too much attention so I reckon I ought to be more secretive!... This is a chhhheeeeeeeeaaaaap car so it wont be the sexyest thing on wheels but Im going to make it as desirable as poss, whilst providing something new... It'll be interesting, thats for sure.
I've got a shape, some features I'm pushing for and a feel I'm rather happy with. Certain areas are far from sorted but all I need for Friday is a shape and a direction. I've got 3 (!) huge whiteboards on which to scrawl too and its ggreat but its attracting too much attention so I reckon I ought to be more secretive!... This is a chhhheeeeeeeeaaaaap car so it wont be the sexyest thing on wheels but Im going to make it as desirable as poss, whilst providing something new... It'll be interesting, thats for sure.
Well... its only a week and a half late but its here! My trip to the French riviera. Like the Italian Riviera but along a bit. The plan as we set off (myself Nigel again, and John) was to get into France through the southernmost alps through the pass above Cuneo and then who knows. The pass didnt really finish until you hit the sea at Ventimilleia (?). Well then it was obvious what to do. Just a short hop into Menton and then in to Monaco. I was a bit excited as its somewhere I have never been and I really enjoy ticking off countries and seeing new places. The first pics are of Monaco from the coast road and the ones after are of the harbour (where we parked easily surprisingly, it was v quiet for a warm Sunday). Obviously had a look around the harbour for nice yachts but my attention was distracted by cars as usual. Infact I think the best yachts I saw during my stay were in Verazze if you want to dig through my old posts . I had lunch there and it was a very nice nicoise salad and I paid as I wanted to expense a bill that had Monaco on it! Oh that yacht 3rd pic in was amazing. A gold star to whoever can tell me what it was. I particularly like the pic I took of the Jag 120 infront of the harbour.
The Beach pic wasn't taken by me though. It was taken by Nigel who, when reaching Cap Jean Ferraud, decided it would be the best thing to go for a paddle. There is no space on the Riviera, not even for a Panda and we just abandoned the car in a car park, inconsiderately. I, being 21 and the most responsible it seems, decided to look after the car and make excuses if we got in bother. Sure enough as soon as Nigel and John disappeared around the corner, a very disgruntled and very very old woman started talking to me in a less than pleasant tone. Ok, I speak enough French to get by no probs but could I understand a word this woman was saying??!! Hells no. The only bit I got was when I asked if I could do a 360 in the forecourt of the business ahead she said yes (I reckon) then when I pulled forward she called me a crazy bastard (I got that bit). Anyway I made some token gestures to make it look like I was trying, made some very unkind comments about her to her face in my finest Etonian accent and saw Nigel laughing his head off watching this happen as he walked back. Grrr.
We continued to Nice but only as far as the view point as you enter said "ain't that nice" and turned round again as we had heard the traffic get biblical later on Sundays. On the way back we took the bigger roads above the coast and we got to the 70's hotel above Monaco and some of the best views I've ever seen, what a view spot (these are the last pics). Despite setting off early we still ran into what is the most impressive migration in the animal kingdom after those Wildebeest in the Seringhetti. Every Italian in Piemonte/Lombardia coming back from a weekend by the sea. You have never seen traffic like it. We decided I was nowhere near worth the pain on the Autostrada so we headed for the B roads. Turns out we wern't the only folk to think of this and it was just as bad. Going the other way was a huge queue up a hill to get into the main jam! The smell of clutch was choking. So we got to Spotorno and bunkered in, deciding to let the traffic go. We had a meal in the town, had a wander and dicussed how daft you would have to be to do that to your self every summer weekend, getting wilfully stuck in a 4 hour jam. By 9.30 (arrived at 6) the traffic had gone enough to set off. What a hassle, why doesnt everyone just hang fire until later, its common sense!
In conclusion Its a very pretty part of the world... but there are too many folk and not enough room. It go mad if I had to stop for any period of time. Too many people know how nice it is! I'm glad I went but I won't be rushing back.
The Beach pic wasn't taken by me though. It was taken by Nigel who, when reaching Cap Jean Ferraud, decided it would be the best thing to go for a paddle. There is no space on the Riviera, not even for a Panda and we just abandoned the car in a car park, inconsiderately. I, being 21 and the most responsible it seems, decided to look after the car and make excuses if we got in bother. Sure enough as soon as Nigel and John disappeared around the corner, a very disgruntled and very very old woman started talking to me in a less than pleasant tone. Ok, I speak enough French to get by no probs but could I understand a word this woman was saying??!! Hells no. The only bit I got was when I asked if I could do a 360 in the forecourt of the business ahead she said yes (I reckon) then when I pulled forward she called me a crazy bastard (I got that bit). Anyway I made some token gestures to make it look like I was trying, made some very unkind comments about her to her face in my finest Etonian accent and saw Nigel laughing his head off watching this happen as he walked back. Grrr.
We continued to Nice but only as far as the view point as you enter said "ain't that nice" and turned round again as we had heard the traffic get biblical later on Sundays. On the way back we took the bigger roads above the coast and we got to the 70's hotel above Monaco and some of the best views I've ever seen, what a view spot (these are the last pics). Despite setting off early we still ran into what is the most impressive migration in the animal kingdom after those Wildebeest in the Seringhetti. Every Italian in Piemonte/Lombardia coming back from a weekend by the sea. You have never seen traffic like it. We decided I was nowhere near worth the pain on the Autostrada so we headed for the B roads. Turns out we wern't the only folk to think of this and it was just as bad. Going the other way was a huge queue up a hill to get into the main jam! The smell of clutch was choking. So we got to Spotorno and bunkered in, deciding to let the traffic go. We had a meal in the town, had a wander and dicussed how daft you would have to be to do that to your self every summer weekend, getting wilfully stuck in a 4 hour jam. By 9.30 (arrived at 6) the traffic had gone enough to set off. What a hassle, why doesnt everyone just hang fire until later, its common sense!
In conclusion Its a very pretty part of the world... but there are too many folk and not enough room. It go mad if I had to stop for any period of time. Too many people know how nice it is! I'm glad I went but I won't be rushing back.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Stage one done and dusted...
Right that is the Italian Leg of the internship done. I have been in a meeting with Kevin and Martin on friday afternoon for a debrief for the last project and the briefing for the next one. The location aint as special as the last one but I can say that the project is by far and a way more interesting and important. I will be doing most of the stuff in the Coventry office in aa quiet and ssecreted corner of the building as this is totally hush hush. I have mooted the idea of Kevin sending me to India for whatever reason and he hasnt ruled it out, in fact it remains a distict possiblity. I certainly hope it comes off.
In another piece of good news, I pitched the collaboration idea with TATA for my degree project at Kevin and he seemed to really go for it, and why shouldn't he, its your classic win/win situation. This should make for a more credible, rounded and significant study for the project next year and really pay dividends in the end. It also lets me stay in regular contact with them so they don't forget about me and raises other opportunities.
Right thats that update...again I'm very sorry The Monaco pics aint here, my feet havnt really touched the ground since I have arrived back in the Uk and have covered a great deal of miles. Friday was Manchester to Cov, Cov to Kendal and then Kendal to York. With a business meeting and working lunch inbetween!!! Sigh, And it aint gorna get easier. But there is a nice new apartment in th near future!
In another piece of good news, I pitched the collaboration idea with TATA for my degree project at Kevin and he seemed to really go for it, and why shouldn't he, its your classic win/win situation. This should make for a more credible, rounded and significant study for the project next year and really pay dividends in the end. It also lets me stay in regular contact with them so they don't forget about me and raises other opportunities.
Right thats that update...again I'm very sorry The Monaco pics aint here, my feet havnt really touched the ground since I have arrived back in the Uk and have covered a great deal of miles. Friday was Manchester to Cov, Cov to Kendal and then Kendal to York. With a business meeting and working lunch inbetween!!! Sigh, And it aint gorna get easier. But there is a nice new apartment in th near future!
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Last Car of the Day...
Right I know you get these in the UK, but this is lovely, I'd have one, and in thiss colour. Amazing what you can do with plastic and glue. Innit nice...
Lets wrap this month up...
Ok then its alll over... I will be climbing onto a coach this evening at 7 pm for two hours to Milan Malpensa stopping in a hotel and then getting on my flight to Gatwick just before 11.
The Project stage has come to a close and I have mothing really significant to do at the moment except for writing about about it!
Mr Tata arrived about 4 hours ago and has just left. It was a bit of a disappointment actually. The Project I, Kasra and Justyn have been focusing our efforts on has not been included in the itinerary for today and will not be reviewed in any significant way. The excecs who came yesterday and Tata design chief Pierre had a look over it and picked out a few things that they liked and didnot. But honestly it was just cursorary and, for a designer, a very frustrating affair. We like being told definates otherwise your plans and ideas become shappeless and undirected/informed and leads to frustartion and bad language. I imaging this was good experience though... that this may often happen. Anywhoos, it was my first proper (ie outside university, sorry DB) pin up and present presentaions. I had developed two styling variation on my frame and I had rendered them in a style I had picked up late the week before. Thank you Kasra, you life saver. This, oddly has been one of the best things about the month. the two days where I picked up a new skill, to do rapid and realistic represtations of vehicles in 3D style. It will be immensly useful doubtless. However these will not see the light of day until the car becomes made/homologated and that is planned in 2 years time (so you must read as 3 at least...damn slow these indians...damn slow.) I will have to do some more and keep practicing.
Summary... I done good. I was slow to start with, not being familiar with the project and the package and crucially the design process, I had not done anything like that before. The first week and a bits work was scrapped essentailly with the emergange of new variations. Bad for loss of effort but good as I gained some responsibility. I improved rapidly, though, towards the end learning and applying my new skills. The end results I am very happy with indeed and I am not sorry they are not better as I learned and finished them in 7 days and the results were still good enough to be allowed to be presented to a global head of design. Result!
Right less of that nonsense. I will be posting the best pics yet as soon as I'm able so dont forget about this just yet. My trip to the French riviera, you cant affort to miss it. Just think, If I had gone on Friday I'd not have got to go to Monaco. Close one.
The Project stage has come to a close and I have mothing really significant to do at the moment except for writing about about it!
Mr Tata arrived about 4 hours ago and has just left. It was a bit of a disappointment actually. The Project I, Kasra and Justyn have been focusing our efforts on has not been included in the itinerary for today and will not be reviewed in any significant way. The excecs who came yesterday and Tata design chief Pierre had a look over it and picked out a few things that they liked and didnot. But honestly it was just cursorary and, for a designer, a very frustrating affair. We like being told definates otherwise your plans and ideas become shappeless and undirected/informed and leads to frustartion and bad language. I imaging this was good experience though... that this may often happen. Anywhoos, it was my first proper (ie outside university, sorry DB) pin up and present presentaions. I had developed two styling variation on my frame and I had rendered them in a style I had picked up late the week before. Thank you Kasra, you life saver. This, oddly has been one of the best things about the month. the two days where I picked up a new skill, to do rapid and realistic represtations of vehicles in 3D style. It will be immensly useful doubtless. However these will not see the light of day until the car becomes made/homologated and that is planned in 2 years time (so you must read as 3 at least...damn slow these indians...damn slow.) I will have to do some more and keep practicing.
Summary... I done good. I was slow to start with, not being familiar with the project and the package and crucially the design process, I had not done anything like that before. The first week and a bits work was scrapped essentailly with the emergange of new variations. Bad for loss of effort but good as I gained some responsibility. I improved rapidly, though, towards the end learning and applying my new skills. The end results I am very happy with indeed and I am not sorry they are not better as I learned and finished them in 7 days and the results were still good enough to be allowed to be presented to a global head of design. Result!
Right less of that nonsense. I will be posting the best pics yet as soon as I'm able so dont forget about this just yet. My trip to the French riviera, you cant affort to miss it. Just think, If I had gone on Friday I'd not have got to go to Monaco. Close one.
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