Auteur/autrice : admin

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MICROSOFT PARIS | NEW DESIGN INTERFACE

Microsoft Paris web
Tuesday, March 25th, 2014, MICROSOFT organized a conference on «NEW DESIGN INTERFACE» in its French headquarters in Issy Les Moulineaux.
GEOFFREY DORNE, freelance designer, gave his vision of a simple design based on 5 HUMAN tag lines:
– A better life
– Design comes from others
– A thought of the action
– A vector for relationships
– Turn “how” to “why”
Thus, any act of design is a human act emphasizing leapfrogging technology, but it is not the last word.
ADOBE, represented by its consultant David DERAEDT, has developed the new ADOBE orientation with the availability of a conventional purchase license model called ACC (ADOBE Creative Cloud). ACC is created from individual property sharing or right to use subscriptions resulting in the breakdown of borders between specialists. Each Adobe end-user can grab any software needed, for the time he wants, without worrying about the license or version, because he has access to the whole ADOBE catalog.
For David DERAEDT, the ACC is very well suited to creativity, which is the basis of a designer’s job. However, some large companies remain quite cautious vis-à-vis the cloud and it is still possible to stay with the old system, at least for now…
LudoTIC, a consulting firm in Ergonomics and Human-Machine Interaction, based in Nice, represented by TERESA COLOMBI (expert in cognitive psychology and ergonomics), showed us the progress in the field of visual control interfaces through a solution called EYE TRACKING. Nowadays, the hardware is much lighter and easier to implement with direct integration into a PC, as previewed in 2014. The principal advantages of the pilot are for the development and use of the user interface:
-Visibility of elements
-Understanding of contents
-Emotional and visual impact
This is now achieved in a non-intrusive manner and without the direct action of the user. Many industrial companies will quickly integrate this technology into new HMI environments.
STRATE COLLEGE, the well-known industrial design school based in Issy les Moulineaux, has developed the challenges of future industrial designers in the design of connected objects that will be based on the hybridization of the digital world with the physical world.
To better cover these areas, the school has created a new department « INTERACTION DESIGN » that will allow future designers to better understand both worlds.

Microsoft Conference web

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GENEVA 2014 | Trends

Because it is on neutral ground, we have come to expect many “world premieres” at Geneva with a lot of new models and concepts.  It is usually a very interesting show. This year was no exception. And most of the concept cars were production preview/teasers.

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We were very surprised not to see Bertone on the first floor, but knowing that Michael Robinson has left, this is not a good sign…
From the previous articles you have read, you already know that the main trend this year is an overall reduction in size. Many new cars came in the A-segment, and engine size continues to be reduced…Ecology becomes more and more important and every car maker emphasizes its communication on that topic.
But Geneva is also the place of exclusive cars.
McLaren unveiled the convertible version of the 650S. There is no change in terms of the mechanicals and the design remains very sculptural.

Lamborghini introduced the Huracan. No surprise here. And it is certainly a Lamborghini. Very tight lines characterize this vehicle.

Aston Martin displayed two special editions at Geneva. The V8 Vantage N430 might be our favorite in terms of proportions, very compact and sporty. The engineers have reduced the weight of the car using carbon fiber and Kevlar seats for example.  Many “cosmetic” details are added to give a dark-themed exterior, such as graphite painted forged alloy wheels alongside the black front grille, headlamp bezels, exterior meshes, side window surrounds, textured tailpipe finishers and clear rear lamps with black surrounds. This gives the car the appropriate identity. Inside, as out, the link with automotive competition is clear.
The second car is the DB9. It was displayed with two exclusive finishes called Carbon White and Carbon Black. Both editions include additional carbon fibre side strakes and black window surrounds reinforcing the powerful visual themes. The interior featured a strong ‘black’ styling theme showcasing carbon fibre details and new black hardware  There is a choice of accent colors matching the brake caliper shade….

 

Being Geneva, the show had plenty of exotic and exclusive cars as well — great examples of automotive art and engineering, but not so interesting in terms of design……..
Well, Geneva is usually one of the best Auto Shows of the year.  And in 2014 that is still the case.  The automotive industry is alive and well, no matter how much the economy or politics may impact it in Europe. Competition and the environment continue to drive the car-makers forward, introducing more and more vehicles powered by Hybrid or Electric energy.
It is a good sign. We can’t wait to see more in Paris…

Paris2014-2

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GENEVA 2014 | AUDI TT MK3

Audi has unveiled the third opus of its modern classic TT.  The TT Mk1 is an icon of design. The TT Mk3 is certainly close to being another one, especially with its interior…

In 1998, the design of the TT was a revolution. Geometrical shape, strong design language.
The Audi Design team ‘lost the plot’  to some extent with the Mk2, which was less interesting in terms of design, very common in its shape and image. But the designers have now come back to their roots.
This Mk3 version is very muscular and stands very low to the ground. The large wheel arches amplify that feeling. The flat greenhouse gives the impression of a cockpit. The car is wide and low — very sporty. The six sided grill appears to be more three dimensional. The lower air-intake line (on the normal version) gives the impression of a floating grill. This nice impression is lost on the TTS, but the side intakes compensate for this loss… The addition of slim headlamps gives a little bit of aggressiveness, just enough…

The interior is very simple, designed with the idea that “less is more”… Pure lines are used giving the impression that the dashboard is floating.
There is no central screen anymore. Everything is grouped in front of the driver with a so called “Virtual cockpit” meaning that the cluster is made of a single customizable screen.
You can choose to have the speedometer showing, the Navigation and/or any function of the MMI.
There is no doubt that this design will initiate a new fashion and new possibilities in cluster design. We are used to the smartphone and smart TV, let’s be sure that we will very soon talk about smart IP’s…
Seen from above, the instrument panel resembles the wing of an aircraft. Designers have kept the round air vents, which is a signature of the TT, now with a turbine-like design. Perhaps most importantly, the center of the vents contain all the controls for the air conditioning system. There are less buttons in the centre area of the panel and the centre console, less controls. And everything seems to be very simplified…We can agree that in such a design, less is certainly more…

With the TT Quattro Concept show car that was also shown in Geneva, Audi wanted to demonstrate what technology can do if used in an efficient way.  Audi also wanted to promote the fact that smaller engines can give a lot of power and sensation to the driver.  Which means that they plan to reduce cylinders and engine size in future production cars to improve fuel economy and emissions without giving away the essence of the automobile…what we call driving pleasure…

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GENEVA 2014 | TWINGO III

The new mini-citycar is the star of the Renault stand during press-days. We can see it from every angle and a wide range of color combinations.
Let’s stop the wrong comment right away. While looking at the New Twingo, most people were making reference to the Fiat 500. Let’s say…why not if you are looking at the vinyl “side stripes » arrangement only. But certainly not if you remember the volume and design language of the Renault 5…The shape of the headlights, the pronounced shoulders on the back part and the design of the tailgate are an echo to the R5 Turbo, the most iconic sports version with a rear engine. The design accentuates that feeling, pushing out the tail lamps to the sides.
For the first time the Twingo has four doors…This new vehicle shares its platform with the next generation Smart with an engine placed to the rear. Because of that technical choice, the gar has a very interesting and recognizable silhouette. With only 3.59m width and wheels rejected to the four corners, the wheelbase is 2.49m, allowing a generous interior space for such a small car.
The interior looks dynamic and playful with many customization options. No doubt that the interior will become iconic as the first opus was. The dashboard is very simple and is surrounded by a wide plastic part giving all its character to the IP.
Some optional storage products are possible which makes the interior very customizable…
No doubt that this Twingo III will be a new reference in its category. It is not retro design as the Mini or the Fiat 500 and to us it is much more interesting in term of design…
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GENEVA 2014 | CITROEN C-CACTUS

We left the Cactus concept car in Frankfurt with a lot of hopes and we discover the production car here in Geneva. There is no disappointment and no surprise with the result in the flesh. The Cactus production car remains simple and efficient in term of design and keeps the “courage” to be innovative this category.
The Airbump on the side are still part of the menu. We are sure it is going to be efficient in the everyday use, and we are still curious about how it will go throughout the years…
The interior still uses a “sofa” style seat on the front, even though they are still two seats.
The digital IP reminds us the history of Citroen and can feel a little bit disconcerting for some drivers.
The rear part is a little bit disappointing…rear space is not very comfortable, especially for a family.
The aesthetic of the Cactus is really treated in different way than other cars: maybe more like a product design or architectural piece.
With the Cactus, Citroen is really trying to regain its idiosyncratic image.  But in a highly competitive and rather homogenous ‘world-car’ market, is it possible to reclaim the “Frenchness” and the strong individual brand identity that Citroen once enjoyed with iconic cars like the 2CV and the lovely DS?  Perhaps more importantly will it work outside France?
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GENEVA 2014 | Hyundai INTRADO

Hyundai has unveiled its new concept car, the Intrado, initiating a new design language called Fluidic Sculpture 2.0. It is the first Hyundai designed under the direction of Peter Schreyer (CDO&President of Hyundai Motor Group). The inspiration of the concept takes place in the aviation industry…and that is not a surprise knowing Raphael Bretecher (General Manager) who was in charge of the project. No doubt he has influenced the design team a lot. This cross-over concept is built around a super lightweight structure made of advance materials (see photo), and is powered by hydrogen.
The grill is very three-dimensional and wheel arches look like wings. It looks very impressive in the flesh. The doors open to reveal the absence of a B-Pillar and this gives a very interesting access to the interior.  The flashy orange on the inside is very aggressive and provides a strong counterpoint to the immaculate white of the outside. Seats are floating and even though there are four seats, the impression of space is clear. The central tunnel and its interesting details also remind us of that aviation feeling.
As Raphael Bretecher told us, the Intrado is inspired by the name of the airplane wing “intrados” producing lift to allow a plane to fly. The use of advanced materials is also a “clin d’oeil” (implied reference) to aeronautics. Listening to Peter Shreyer, the Intrado foreshadows the future of the automobile by combining the concepts of efficiency and freedom symbolized by the notion of flying. For him the power of mobility should deliver physical and emotional sensations. How can we disagree with that…? With this concept, Hyundai demonstrates that the future of car can be relevant and exciting…

 

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GENEVA 2014 | JEEP RENEGADE

This “baby Jeep”, made in Italy for sale in a hundred countries, is a tangible result from the new-born American-Italian group Fiat-Chrysler.  Although we are not fans of the overall exterior design, it is a real Jeep with all the necessary off-road genes. This small SUV does look good on the road. The DLO is tall and seems to shine a lot of light on the interior… and we like the interior much more, with its obvious product orientation. Simple and clear, using good quality plastic and colored inserts. The dashboard shows three clearly identified volumes for the driver, the passenger and the infotainment. Design of the HMI also is clear and simple, with strongly focused graphics.
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GENEVA 2014 | Aygo, C1 and 108

Toyota, Citroen and Peugeot have released the replacement of the three sisters…
If the first opus was essentially three identical cars (with just small differences to provide identity), now we can talk about three quite different designs, even though the cars have been developed on the same platform.
Each car now reflects the spirit of its brand.
The Toyota Aygo has a very aggressive look, while the Citroen appears more product design oriented and the 108 more “chic”.
While the Aygo is graphically complicated and looks very sporty, the C1 is very Citroen-like, showing a friendly face using the superposition of lights similar to the C4 Picasso. The Peugeot is more into the French Chic with a simple shape, but using different color combinations for graphic effect.  Interiors emphasize the “onboard wellbeing” design philosophy.
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GENEVA 2014 | BMW

During the Geneva International Motor Show, BMW introduced a new car and a new concept.  Like the other premium German manufacturers, BMW wants to cover or open each and every market segment with high-end cars.  The new 2 Series Active Tourer may be the first front wheel drive car from BMW, but it is probably not the most important for our friends in Munich.  On the booth we can see this car just in front of the new BMW 4 Grand Coupe.  And we are in two different worlds.
The BMW 4 is what we have come to expect from BMW.  A nice, powerful coupe for 4 people with all a BMW driver can offer to his family and friends – after fulfilling his own dreams that is…
At Geneva, BMW showed that it also wants to enter a new world with the Active Tourer.  The 2 series exterior shape is very traditional and similar to what the volume car manufacturers already offer.  This segment will certainly enjoy BMW quality, comfort and ergonomics, but we will have to wait and see if BMW will have the same success here as with the X series SUV’s.