Exterior design, also known as exterior styling, is the process of designing the visual appearance of a vehicle’s exterior. Here is a summary: Key Aspects of Exterior Design
1. *Body Style*: Sedan, Hatchback, SUV, Truck, etc.
2. *Proportion*: Balance of dimensions, such as length, width, and height.
3. *Lines and Curves*: Character lines, creases, and curves that define the vehicle’s shape.
4. *Surface Treatment*: Texture, material, and finish of exterior surfaces.
5. *Wheel and Tire Design*: Style, size, and proportions of wheels and tires.
6. *Lighting*: Headlights, taillights, and other exterior lighting elements.
7. *Color and Trim*: Exterior color schemes, trim materials, and accents.
Process for Exterior Design 1. *Research and Concept*: Gather inspiration, define design goals, and create initial sketches.
2. *Sketching and Rendering*: Refine designs through sketching and computer-aided design (CAD) rendering.
3. *Clay Modeling*: Create scale models to evaluate proportions and surface quality.
4. Software is used in “Computer-Aided Engineering” (CAE) to analyze and improve design elements like aerodynamics and structural integrity. 5. *Testing and Refinement*: Conduct physical testing, gather feedback, and make design adjustments.
6. *Production*: Finalize design, create production-ready data, and oversee manufacturing.
Trends in Exterior Design 1. *Sustainability*: Eco-friendly materials, aerodynamic optimization, and reduced weight.
2. *Digitalization*: Integration of digital technologies, such as LED lighting and interactive displays.
3. *Autonomous Vehicles*: Designing for autonomous functionality, such as sensor integration and reconfigurable interiors.
4. *Electrification*: Designing for electric powertrains, including unique proportions and aerodynamic features.
Notable Exterior Designers
1. *Giorgetto Giugiaro* is an Italian designer best known for creating iconic automobiles like the Volkswagen Golf and DeLorean DMC-12. 2. *Chris Bangle*: American designer who led BMW’s design team from 1992 to 2009, creating polarizing designs like the BMW 7 Series (E65).
3. *J Mays*: American designer who worked at Ford, Volkswagen, and BMW, designing vehicles like the Ford Mustang (2005) and Volkswagen New Beetle.
Software for the design of exteriors 1. *CATIA*: A powerful CAD software used in the automotive industry.
2. *Alias*: A surface modeling and design software used for creating complex shapes.
3. *Adobe Creative Cloud*: A collection of creative applications used for design visualization and communication, including Photoshop and Illustrator. I hope this information helps you understand the world of exterior design in the automotive industry!
Exterior design
Surface curvature, Plan shape, Wedge, Packaging, Wheels, Lights, and Colors and materials.
Interior design Ergonomic functionality, Utility features, and Automobile chair design.
Color and trim design Colors and materials.
Ergonomics Human factors, Anthropometry in vehicle design, Biomechanics and vehicle design, Communication in Automobile system, and Vehicle for the special people.
Other topics System design, Neural systems, General rules and regulations, and Drawing and rendering.
The creative process of defining the physical appearance of automobiles is known as automotive design. It encompasses both interior and exterior design.
By Rongali Devika.
