Influx

Several times a year, automotive companies unveil concept cars. Most of these cars never make it into production. Instead, they are designed to capture media attention and work as buzz creators. They might signal a change of direction for a company, or showcase a radical idea.

The designers get a lot of freedom to experiment, but it is often challenging to create an interesting concept. To to do this, they look anywhere for inspiration.

Toyota turned to music culture as their source when developing their latest concept for the young adult market. This mini-van serves a dual purpose, transforming into a DJ’s sound-stage.

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/photojournal/02.html

Others look elsewhere. Earlier this year, Renault introduced the Fluence, a sports coupe concept. It’s the interior where most of the innovation lies; from the video-game derived joystick driving controls, to the seats of the car that unfold like fans when the doors open. The inspiration for this idea came from the natural world. To understand how the seat might work, the designers looked at flowers to learn how petals open. They did this by going back to science class and watching time-lapse films and looking at petals under microscopes.

http://www.autointell.net/Events/paris-2004/renault-paris-04/renault-fluence-paris-2004.htm

More examples of nature-inspired design solutions..

http://www.biomimicry.org/case_studies_materials.html

Here is a new screen display technology inspired by the physics of butterfly wings…

http://www.iridigm.com/tech_overview.htm

Alternatively, for a perspective on how design can respond to global challenges and help preserve the natural world, Bruce Mau’s, Massive Change project provides some provocative and interesting suggestions.

http://www.core77.com/news/default.asp