What is the future of clay modelling?

2022 Range Rover clay 2

Designers from Mazda, Audi, Mahindra and Karma give their take on the outlook for clay modelling as digital tools begin to play a larger role 

Clay modelling has been at the forefront of automotive design for decades. Spearheaded by the brains at General Motors during the 1930s and quickly adapted by other major automakers, the process has enabled designers to create, refine and showcase physical models in new ways.

The art of sculpting malleable clay might have evolved over the years, adopting highly accurate milling machines and often moving away from full-scale modes, but the basics remain the same. Hand tools are used to shave, slice and smooth different surfaces just as they did nearly a century ago. And crucially, clay modelling’s place in the design process is unflinching despite advances in digital tools.

“As designers, we want to integrate the best of both worlds,” says Andreas Feussner, head of modelling at Mazda Europe.

This content is available to subscribers only   |   Sign in

Get unlimited access to Car Design News

Unlock exclusive design knowledge, inspiration & connection.

Free Trial

Trial

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Access Interior Motives magazine in digital page turner format

30-days free

Then $16 per month for Essential subscription

Billed as $194 annually

Start free trial

Other currencies: £149 / €179 annually

Available to new subscribers only

Essential Plus

Essential

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Activate a 20% discount on the annual Car Design Review yearbook

Connection

  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges

$22 per month

Billed as $259 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £199 / €239 annually

Premium

Premium-svg

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams
  • Access deeper insights with trend report whitepapers

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Receive 1x annual copy of the Car Design Review yearbook
  • Activate a 25% discount on additional Car Design Review books

Connection

  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges
  • Participate in subscriber only online workshops

$32 per month

Billed as $389 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £299 / €359 annually

 

Explore more subscription options.

 


Need help?


For help with individual user subscriptions please contact:

Eric Ng
Eric.Ng@ultimamedia.com

For help with multi user subscriptions please contact:

Angela Yang
Angela.Yang@cardesignnews.com

 

Sign in     Forgotten password