Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the
appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more
specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also
refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans. The functional design
and development of a modern motor vehicle is typically done by a large team from
many different disciplines included in automotive engineers. Automotive design
in this context is primarily concerned with developing the visual appearance or
aesthetics of the vehicle, though it is also involved in the creation of the
product concept. Automotive design is practiced by designers who usually have an
art background and a degree in industrial design or transportation design.
Exterior design
The stylist responsible for the design of the exterior of the vehicle develops
the proportions, shape, and surfaces of the vehicle. Exterior design is first
done by a series of digital or manual drawings. Progressively more detailed
drawings are executed and approved. Clay (industrial plasticine) and or digital
models are developed from, and along with the drawings. The data from these
models are then used to create a full sized mock-up of the final design (body in
white). With 3 and 5 axis CNC Milling Machines, the clay model is first designed
in a computer program and then "carved" using the machine and large amounts of
clay. Even in times of high-class 3d software and virtual models on powerwalls
the clay model is still the most important tool to evaluate the design of a car
and therefore used throughout the industry.
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