Cars! Aren’t you fascinated by the different car models? Their body, shape, color, design, etc. is simply mind blowing. Several different companies are constantly coming up with different automobile designs. The main artists behind all these wonders are the automotive designers. The overall appearance of the automobile is enhanced in the profession of automotive design. Ergonomics is also considered to some extend.

While designing an automobile all the factors such as the comfort, safety, efficiency and productivity of the equipment used in the automobile is studied and examined. Automobiles not only refer to cars but also trucks, motorcycle, buses, vans and coaches. A large team of engineers from different disciplines of automotive engineering does the functional design and development of the modern vehicles.

Developing the visual appearance or aesthetics of the automobile is the primary concern of automotive design. The designers in the automotive design profession have a degree in industrial design, transportation design or have an art background.

Some of the aspects of automotive design are considered by the designing team. The three main aspects of the designing team are the interior design, the exterior design and the color and trim design. These are the main tasks of the designing team. One more aspect of automotive design is the graphic design. This is generally shared amongst the design team.

Starting from the vehicle package, automotive design concentrates mainly on the combination of the form and function. It does not only focus on the isolated exterior shape of automobile parts. The aesthetic value corresponds to the utility features and the ergonomic functionality of the automobile. T

he automotive designers have to be constantly updated with the latest information of the new electronic gadgetry so as to get the best electronic components in their automobiles. These electronic components include the GPS navigation, MP3 players, mobile TV, satellite radio, video playback, HD radio and smart phone interfaces.

Exterior Design:

The surface, proportion and the shape of the vehicle is developed by the stylist responsible for the exterior design of the vehicle. First a series of manual or digital drawings of the exterior designs is done. Further these designs are executed and approved in more detail. Along with the drawings clay or digital models are developed. A full sized replicated model is then designed with the help of the data from the digital models. The clay model is first designed in a computer program and then carved with the help of the CNC Milling Machines. Clay model is very important to evaluate the exterior design of the car.

Interior Design:

The placement, surfaces, proportions and shapes for the instrument panel, door trim panels, seats, pillar trims, headliner, etc. are all considered and developed by the stylist responsible for the interior designs. More importance is given to the comfort of the passengers. Same procedure as for the exterior design is followed here, i.e.  first sketching, then digital model and clay model.

Color and trim design:

The research, design and development of the colors and materials used in the interior and exterior of the vehicle are considered by the color and trim designer. The designer takes care of the fabric designs, paints, plastics, leather, carpets, headliner and many other materials. A unique interior environment experience is given with a proper combination of the color, texture and contrast.

Research in the global trends is done from which trend boards are created. Trend boards keep a track of the design influences. Themes and concepts are then developed from these trends by the designers to make new vehicle models.

Graphic design:

Graphics for the items such as the decals, badges, switches, liveries, dials, etc are developed by the design team.