Six pioneering and exciting design concepts emerged from the cooperation between the Japanese car manufacturer Mazda and Department of Design at the Munich University of Applied Sciences. In a two-part feature, Chapter presents some of the most outstanding projects.
New perspectives on the Japanese automotive brand Mazda were provided not only by students Leon Galuzzi, Niklas Künzler and Austin Reimann, whose design projects were presented in the first part of this feature, but also by Valentin Binder and Nina Kellermeier.
»My Ma«
With his »My Ma« concept, Valentin Binder took second place behind Leon Galuzzi in the cooperation. His kei-car (note: Japanese subcompact car) he designed especially for students in future big cities, the budding car designer explains in the interview. To define the basic idea of his design project more precisely, he adds: »The car with minimal dimensions is intended to offer young adults a place of retreat and a space for personal development during their training or studies. Even now, many people living in big cities such as Tokyo have very little space available, even within their own four walls.« The basic aim of his project is therefore to combine mobility with private space. »The concept is therefore fully autonomous and is made available to users through an affordable and flexible subscription system. As Mazda radiates a consistently positive and friendly character for me and the concept is intended for young people, the car should also be shaped by these attributes.«
In terms of design, Binder decided to define the geometry of his concept vertically using two levels. »I have thus created a high, airy space with a constant footprint«, he sums it up. His goal of creating an interior that offers its users the opportunity to spend time together in the smallest of spaces was inspired by Verner Panton’s »Living Tower«.
Because the project was ultimately intended to serve as a second home in the big city, its exterior is also influenced by contemporary architecture. »I deliberately used geometric shapes such as the cylinder and combined them with a sculptural, soft body«, says Valentin Binder, who counts Oki Sato and his design studio Nendo among his great role models. »My Ma« was also influenced by her work. »Nendo’s projects are bursting with creativity. It’s typical Japanese product design, which always includes a small, funny twist and is so much fun. In addition, a certain imperfection gives the products and exhibitions the all-important charm that I believe a convincing project needs«, the design student sums up.
»Ma‘ Trail«
Nina Kellermeier already had the proportions of her project in mind after the kick-off presentation for the cooperation between Mazda and the Department of Design at the Munich University of Applied Sciences. She explains the starting point of her »Ma‘ Trail« concept as follows: »Due to the ever-increasing lack of space in cities as well as in the countryside, I opted for a single-seater«, says Kellermeier. She found inspiration in the iconic Mazda MX5, which embodies an incredible amount of dynamic driving fun in a compact, not overly powerful vehicle. »It was precisely this character that I wanted to retain and develop in my concept.«
However, the result was not a convertible or roadster, but an off-road vehicle for one person, which should make it possible to leave the stressful everyday life behind and explore nature in a special way without a large purse or extensive know-how. »Right from the start, I was aware that it would be a challenge to combine the typical (and in part technically necessary) rather aggressive off-road look with the friendly character of Mazda with its flowing, sculptural lines. In addition, the topic of off-roading is usually very negative due to the destructive effects on nature, as well as the risk to one’s own health in the event of an accident. That’s why three requirements were particularly important to me: the safety of the driver, the affordability of the vehicle and the harmony between the driver, the vehicle and its environment through new technologies«, says the budding automotive designer, summarizing her project.
Because tires cause the most damage to nature when off-roading, she used parametric design to create lightweight, nature-friendly tires. Their concept is also equipped with cameras and lidar scanners to register important external influences and forward the information collected to the car’s artificial intelligence. This then generates an individual trail that allows the rider to concentrate fully on nature and active riding fun. »The vehicle is therefore designed like a slightly open shell, the field of vision is opened 180° around the driver like a visor, so that he can perceive smells, noises and the nature around him in the best possible way«, explains Kellermeier.
She develops new ideas and solutions primarily through excursions into other sectors. »However, it is important to maintain the right balance with the original character, the heartbeat of the brand, despite constantly striving for automation and renewal«, she concludes. She cites the French industrial designer Matali Crasset as a role model, in whom she greatly appreciates, among other things, the »almost childlike questioning of everyday things that are taken for granted« . [SW]
