Car Design Research

  • Article

    CDR Insight Quarterly - Q1 2013

    2015-05-09T10:19:24

    Satoshi's WatchCDR associate and independent designer, Satoshi Wada, joins an illustrious cast of car designers who have turned their hands to horology, with this design for Issey Miyake.

  • Article

    CDR Insight Quarterly - Q1 2013

    2015-05-09T10:19:18

    Tuning culture continues to wield an influence on mainstream automotive design, illustrated by the latest trend for matte paint mash-ups. Matte finishes hark back to '20s hot rod culture and have more recently become a premium OEM paint option, applied at the factory rather than on the after market.

  • Article

    CDR Insight Quarterly - Q1 2013

    2015-05-09T10:19:14

    Independent consultancy, Car Design Research's 'Insight Quarterly' looks at the latest trends in the automotive design world and beyond, four times each year. Currently distributed to a handful of their design contacts in the industry, we'll be running these quarterlies to highlight the latest trends and insights from a firm ...

  • Article

    CDR Trend Insight - Blade Lamps

    2015-05-06T20:10:57

    Previously we've reported on the headlamps of cars aping the human eye as a graphic device. With full LED clusters now feasible and appearing more commonly on production designs, we're seeing a new type of lamp appear - the blade of light. Horizontally orientated and slim, these present a much ...

  • Article

    CDR Trend Insight - Headlamp Wallpaper

    2015-05-06T18:29:23

    As lamps become recessed and cars gain more plan shape at their corners, the lower, inner surface of the unit grows in depth and becomes more noticeable. And this new real-estate it's being adorned with a micro-graphic reminiscent of wallpaper. In time, we may expect these patterns to be developed ...

  • Article

    CDR Trend Insight - Downsizing the ‘Allroad’ Aesthetic

    2015-05-06T18:23:36

    The ‘Allroad' aesthetic is trickling down to the A-segment. The look is so-called because it was led by Audi's range of Allroad products, which raise the ride height, add lower body cladding and subtly change detailing of the mainstream estate car products. Volvo's XC and Skoda's Scout models do similar ...

  • Article

    Design Essay: CDR Trend Insight - Premium/Economy

    2015-05-06T18:23:18

    Brands are evolving their offer towards a premium and economy sub-brand pairing as the car market changes. Each brand is taking a different approach, but this has been spurred partly by the success of Dacia in the economy market and Citroën's DS at the premium end.