Pforzheim University Summer Degree Show 2005
by Brett Patterson   
Masters presentation of digital model animations
 

Masters students presented the project 'IAA 2015', a proposal for a show car for the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. In developing a show car, manufacturers are able to present their future product vision and explore specific new development directions, without being overly concerned with current technical and marketing constraints.

This presents an opportunity for the students to propose concepts that have very clearly defined, overtly expressed character. 1st semester Masters students presented exterior proposals, while 2nd semester students presented both exterior and interior, all as digital model animations.

BMW X Series Crossover by Viktor Bar (Masters graduate)
 

7th and 5th Semester students presented 'My First Renault', with the brief to develop a vehicle that they could envisage as their own first Renault, so acting as both developer and as potential customer. This type of project is of interest to the sponsor Renault in that it is rare to have direct feedback from customer groups that can express their design with a high level of expertise. 7th semester students presented interior proposals, while 5th semester students presented exteriors.

4th semester students presented 'Concept for future mobility - 1+1'. The project was developed in cooperation with Weber Motor AG. The aim was to develop a small personal vehicle using an innovative two-cylinder engine. The vehicle should be ecological, yet sporty and dynamic.



Showcar for IAA 2015 by Kris Vancoppenolle (MA 1. Semester)
 

The Pforzheim Transportation design department is located on the outskirts of the town of Pforzheim, between Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. The first three semesters of the Transportation Design course are taught in conjunction with the Industrial Design course, and in the fourth semester of the course the students begin to specialize in Transportation Design. During this semester the students develop their design projects from 2D to 3D using digital models rather than clay, using Alias Autostudio for modelling, packaging studies, renderings and animations. Only in the fifth semester do the students develop their projects with the use of clay models. This emphasis on digital design techniques early in the course reflects the changing nature of the automotive design process.
Showcar for IAA 2015 by by Akos Stegmar (MA 1. Semester)

The school recieves support from the car industry through sponsored projects and regular visits from designers who tutor students in the various aspects of transportation design. BMW, Audi and VW regularly offer internships while Porsche and Mercedes are just around the corner.

The school has a Master of Transportation Design program (MTD) which is a three semester course. A diploma or degree in Industrial design is required for acceptance on this course. Students gaining entry will have a certain level of freedom in planning the course structure.


Related stories:
Pforzheim Spring Degree Show 2005
Pforzheim Summer Degree Show 2004

Pforzheim University websites:
www.fh-pforzheim.de
intl.fh-pforzheim.de

'My First Renault' by Limin Wang (7th Semester)
Interior for long-distance vehicle by Karsten Schmidt (7th Semester)