Archive for the 'Automotive' Category

IKEA to Sell Cars

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Considering the proliferation of sub compact low cost cars in fast growth countries, exemplified by TATA’s venture to create a car costing a mere two and half thousand dollars, this joke is that much more ingenious.

Thanks to Penn for sending this. Author unknown.

New Image for Chevrolet

Chevrolet Clay Model

Director Joseph Kosinski has unveiled two new Chevrolet commercials at his website, Baby and Clay Model.

Both feature a noteworthy congruency of poses & space. While Baby’s evolving protagonist finds herself surrounded by an industrial digital set built by Digital Domain, Clay Model was filmed at the Malibu Synagogue off Pacific Coast Highway with the final scene shot at the Irvine based Nikken Building. It’s fitting that Clay Model is accompanied by the impeccably selected Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Take Five. Kosinski has wrapped on three other Chevrolet commercials soon slated to debut.

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Hummer Selector Commercial

hummer selector

hummer selector

Joseph Kosinski, whom I worked for at KDLAB and on the Mezzo commercials, has revealed his latest directorial effort, this time for Agency Modernista! and Hummer. Now on the web and airing nationwide, see the Hummer transform and shift from one harsh environment to the next at josephkosinski.com.

Also, check out the websites of some other creatives involved. Director of Photography Claudio Miranda, VFX by Digital Domain, Motion Graphics by GMUNK and sound design from Stimmung.

Peugeot Design Competition

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In 2000, Peugeot launched an annual car design competition, and this year received 4000 project submissions from automotive design enthusiasts in 87 countries.

All entrants pursued the theme P.L.E.A.S.E. (Pleasurable to Drive, Lively, Efficient, Accessible, Simple, Ecological), with the highest accolade agreeably awarded to student Mihai Panaitescu for his concept, Flux. A physical prototype of the car will be unveiled later this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, September 13 - 23.

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Mazda’s Revolutionary Design

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Nagare, Japanese for flow. This is the design philosophy behind Mazda’s recent concept cars. Last year’s Nagare followed by Ryuga and Hakaze that debuted respectively at the 2007 Detroit North American International Auto Show and Geneva Motor Show.

None of this is breaking news, though arguably the significance in establishing an automotive surface form language hasn’t been sufficiently recognized. The pursuit of embedding motion in a car’s form now extends to its skin utilizing etched lines that even redefine the car grille, interior and lights. The light streaks are reminiscent of capturing an automobile via slow shutter speed photography. It’s frozen motion that isn’t superfluous.



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MotoDanica

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Walking on 33rd & 8th in NYC, the above image is hard to miss. It’s plastered across an entire building facade. This new ad campaign for Motorola stars Formula One racecar driver Danica Patrick, highlighted in a dramatic Flash microsite designed by agency, DraftFCB and directed by Jason Koxvold. Invited to handle 3D Animation & Visual Effects duties for the microsite, I decided to collaborate with talented Prague based VFX studio, imagesFX, to deliver within the tight schedule.

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Batpod

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Yesterday, Warner Bros. Pictures released images of the Batpod motorcycle from next Summer’s Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight.

Despite its curious mechanics, this is a drivable vehicle. Flanking the Batpod behind the front wheel are two elevated stirrup like devices which the stunt driver, Jean-Pierre Goy, places his arms into and steers the vehicle using his shoulders. The engines are located within each wheel hub, seemingly reminiscent of the electric motor integrated into every wheel of MIT Media Lab’s CityCar. According to the LA Times, this attitude laden design was conceived by Nathan Crowley and built by Chris Corbould.

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Last Chance to see Colani Exhibition

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One of the world’s foremost industrial designers, the incomparable Luigi Colani, has a featured exhibition at the Design Museum in London. Luigi Colani: Transforming Nature will end its run on June 17 and it’s a great opportunity to see large scale prototypes of his inspired vehicles in person. An early proponent of bio-design, the Professor’s vast body of work includes the 1989 Colani Ferrari Testa d’Oro (above). In 1991 it attained the world speed record in its class, (vehicle with catalytic converters) achieving 351km/h.

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Siemens Pictures of the Future

Since 2001, Siemens R&D Division has published a bi-annual magazine for research and innovation. The magazine, Pictures of the Future, is available in English or German via downloadable pdf or mail. Siemens currently offers a free copy of their latest spring issue by mail.

The issue features almost forty articles covering three primary themes, Livable Megacities, Molecular Medicine and Technology for the Environment. Highlights include LED’s in Architecture, the pending AySystem (a mobile sensor & communications device) and new telemedicine solutions.

SAAB Blackbird Commercial

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Anonymous Content Director Joseph Kosinski in collaboration with VFX Supervisor Robert Nederhorst and Speedshape/LA have created a stunning commercial visualizing SAAB’s Aero-X Concept Car. This is the highly lauded car that debuted last February at the Geneva Motor Show with a 180 degree windshield that lifts up and forward for accessibility, akin to a jet fighter cockpit canopy.

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