Called the genius of car design, Georgeto Jugarro has said that “the key to great car design is the right proportions, and creating them is always like a mathematical game.” Even when choosing a car, do not do without calculations, but at this point, the first impression it creates will always have a huge impact.
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Experts acknowledge that by successfully combining strong first impressions, efficient technology, and good performance, manufacturers are much more likely to win the hearts of buyers and car enthusiasts. For example, the Japanese carmaker Mazda has been practicing this philosophy for almost a decade and always starts with a high-quality design that has also won many international awards.
A matter of taste
Car designer Dominik Budins believes that when choosing a car, design becomes important when the vehicle is considered part of the potential owner’s style – as if it were the same accessory as the watch, shoes and clothes.
“In this case, a person wants a car to look good and fit his worldview. Nowadays, many cars covet whether they like an engine, and only then the question arises how much he needs it. The car is a matter of style. Often people are willing to pay more just to have a brand – specific model, “says Dominik.
Designer Lina Ginkute-Buzele, who has worked at the Lamborghini studio for five years, says the car’s appearance can play a decisive role if the buyer has not yet made a final decision or is not a big expert in the field. “It’s like love at first sight. But on the other hand, we must not forget that the first impression is not everything. “However, the first impression is very weightless. It’s often that if you don’t like it visually, people don’t even try to go into other parameters and practical nuances,” says the designer.
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Lina emphasizes that when it comes to appearance, everything depends on taste and proportions. Some prefer sharp lines, others more rounded shapes, others express expression, and others have a conservative image. In her experience, buyers create the overall impression of the car, as if scanning individual exterior details – headlights, front grille, accent lines, proportions, colors.
“Headlights – just like the eyes – often define character, making the car either aggressive or calm. However, other details are also important, such as the discs, vents in the cabin and more,” says Lina. “The color of the body works in a similar way – people who don’t like to stand out won’t choose a bright car. Of course, manufacturers are aware of this, so it’s no secret that sometimes they program their models for one or another group of customers. And the manufacturer’s visual identity connects with customers and the general public. “
How to create a timeless design?
Many believe that Georgeto Gujarat was the most influential and successful car designer of the 20th century, so he knew better than anyone what a potential big seller should look like. It is estimated that in almost five decades, the masterpiece-led Italdesign studio has produced more than 100 concept cars and 300 series models, which have sold more than 60 million units worldwide.
But what is the secret of timeless design? Dominik Budin believes that this is revealed when evaluating the manufacturer’s products in the long run: whether it retains its identity, whether the manufacturer does not make sudden changes in the appearance of the models and whether they remain recognizable from year to year.
“Cars are made timeless by the brand’s philosophy. A design that even a child can draw from memory and one that you recognize at a glance is not outdated. and everything, “says Dominik.
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Examples of classic designs he mentioned include the Porsche 911, BMW’s second-generation 3 Series (E30), Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat 500, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the legendary Mazda MX. -5 “, also known in the world as” Miata “. This roadster is appreciated not only by driving enthusiasts, but also by design professionals, who distinguish it again and again among many other modern cars.
For example, in 2016, the Mazda MX-5 won the World Car of the Year design title, and a year later the RF version of the model won the Best of the Best 2017 award at the Red Dot product design competition in Germany. , considered the world ‘s largest and most prestigious forum of its kind. The fact that this recognition is not a coincidence in the case of Mazda is confirmed by the victory of the new generation Mazda3 in 2020. In addition, Mazda cars won the Red Dot competition several times: Mazda6 in 2013, Mazda3 in 2014, and in 2015, along with the MX-5, the jury also awarded the Mazda CX-3. and Mazda2. The latest victories are due to the innovative design philosophy “Kodo”, which was introduced ten years ago.
Constant values of design
Car designers are constantly looking for ways to win people’s hearts, but sometimes the overwhelming desire to create something innovative turns into unforgivable mistakes. As for the loudest design fiasco, everyone remembers the Pontiac Aztek and Fiat Multipla perfectly. And, as Dominik Budin says, if there are mistakes in the visual image, it immediately lowers the total value of the car.
A good example is the 996 Series Porsche 911, which made its debut in 1997. It had lost its round headlights during the modernization of its design. The 996 Series is one of the cheapest in the history of the Porsche 911: the failed experiment significantly affected the model, its value and showed that true fans of the brand want the key elements of the 911 to remain unchanged for life, says Dominik.
Lina Ģinkute-Buzele adds that appearance is not the decisive factor in the overall value of a car, but good design never lowers it, on the contrary, it only increases it. The designer also points out that good design usually signals high-quality technical content, although there are exceptions.
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