BRIEF
In order to examine all the skills I have acquired throughout the year, this project will showcase all the skills learned. I am required to design an Afrofuturistic electric car. The car is to be designed to meet one out of three themes: Utility/adventure, Sports/high performance, or Urban people carrier.
The design must be visually interesting with complex form giving, functional consideration and the use of graphic/colour that speaks to the future of electric car design in an African context.
MOODBOARDS
IDEATION
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT MODELS
CONCEPT REFINEMENT
After the feedback I had received from the peer crit, I needed to go back and re-think my design. I have decided to keep aspects of the lion theme in my design. Lions are characterised by their power and aggressive appearance. With my current design, I have tried to incorporate these characteristics into the body of the car. I want the car to give off a “royal” feeling when being looked at, hence the gold colour in my design.
I have also drawn inspiration form African patterns. These patterns can be characterised by their geometric shapes. I plan on adding these shapes and patterns to the actual body of the car, rather than taking a pattern and physically putting it on. As seen in my refinement sketches, I have tried to incorporate curves and lines to mimic these patterns.
MOCK UP MODEL
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
FOAM CUTTING
VACUUME FORMING (TIMELAPSE)
SPRAY PAINTING
While spray painting I ran into a few problems. While trying to fix my imperfections I had used a different tone of white. I also got some black paint and smudges onto the white. I then had to start the process again to achieve an acceptable surface finish.
ELETRONICS
FINAL PTODUCT
As seen in the video above, my EV car unfortunately does not move. The back wheels do turn and the sensor does work, which shows that the electric circuit is working.
GIF
REFLECTION
Although it was very stressful, I really enjoyed the manufacturing process of this project. this project has helped me understand how all the skills I have earned through the year comes together and how they each play a role in the design process ( cardboard prototyping, woodworking and tolerance, spray-painting and the importance of high-quality surface finishes)
I really struggled with the electronics and the wires kept on breaking off. I did manage to get everything working, but unfortunately my car does not move ( it does a burnout or makes donuts)
Overall, I am happy with the final product of my car.
