In the fourth semester at the Art Center of College Design, a student started a personal project called Porsche Mission B. The main objective was to design a car that seamlessly balanced work and leisure, fitting into various aspects of their future life. Choosing the Porsche brand was intentional, driven by its renowned reputation for exceptional performance and captivating aesthetics. The legacy of Porsche's engineering excellence and timeless design provided a suitable foundation for the student's aspirations. The project aimed not only to build a functional vehicle but also to create a symbol of personal identity, where the car represented the individual's values and dreams.
Sharp and Aggressive Design Philosophy
In the design process, the designer carefully considered two different approaches. The first one aimed to make the entire car sharp and aggressive, featuring dual batteries that could be easily swapped for various driving conditions, from the track to everyday roads. On the other hand, the second approach focused on a more nuanced perspective, emphasizing depth and flexibility. This involved a slight change to the rear of the vehicle to improve downforce and reduce turbulence, especially for better performance on a racetrack.
The designer decided to go with the second approach. This choice was influenced by a closer alignment with their vision of an ideal dream car, incorporating elements that fit well with the timeless design language associated with Porsche. With its subtle rear alteration, the chosen design not only represented the person's desire for optimal performance but also paid tribute to the classic aesthetic principles defining Porsche's design legacy. Essentially, the selected design path blended personal vision with respect for the traditional Porsche design language, resulting in a creation that seamlessly combined innovation and tradition.
Enhancing Safety and Aesthetics
In the design phase, a crucial observation emerged about the left A-pillar, raising safety concerns due to its obstruction of view during daily driving. Taking inspiration from Formula 1's halo design, the decision was made to combine the front two A-pillars into a single unit—this innovative adjustment aimed to reduce blind spots, ensuring improved driver visibility without compromising safety.
To create a cohesive and visually appealing look, the A-pillar line was extended seamlessly from the front air intake grille to the rear spoiler. This not only maintained a simple design but also added volume to the overall body of the car. Addressing the rear lights, a unique feature was incorporated. In street mode, the lights were arranged individually, but in track mode, they transformed into a unified light belt. This dynamic shift from luxurious orange to a more athletic red served two purposes—enhancing downforce and stability while visually indicating the car's mode. This thoughtful integration not only improved the car's aerodynamics but also added versatility and a touch of performance flair.
Throughout the project's development, Blender played a central and crucial role. It served as a dynamic tool, balancing aesthetics and functionality, and was key in translating design concepts into a three-dimensional (3D) space. This process not only revealed opportunities for improvement but also determined what was feasible from an engineering standpoint, representing a pivotal phase in the project's evolution.
Blender's ability to both draw and model proved invaluable and helped the designer refine the clay model. This dual approach allowed for a seamless integration of design changes, enabling real-time adjustments and providing valuable insights into alterations in shape and surface details. The collaboration between the digital realm and the physical clay model became a powerful method for iterating, refining, and comprehensively visualizing the design.
Exploring a more dynamic colour palette influenced by the Porsche Mission R
The clay model included a long white stripe from the A-pillar to the front air intake grille. This choice aimed to highlight the A-pillar, demonstrating careful attention to colour and detail that was crucial in bringing the envisioned concept to life. This semester has been a significant learning experience, enriched by valuable insights from classmates and teachers. While recognizing areas for improvement, Porsche Mission B marks the completion of the designer's first major project. It embodies his dream life in a sophisticated and elegant performance machine.
Step into the future with Porsche Mission B – a fusion of innovation and elegance, turning dreams into reality.
About Designer
Zack Fu, 19 years old, was born in China and is now studying in the fourth semester of Art Center College of Design. Very interested in cars and all science fiction themes. He began to contact car design in high school and hopes to become a car designer or design vehicles for science fiction movies and video games in the future.
Visit his profile here
