Some of the most talented design students in the UK, from Central Saint Martins, UAL (CSM), are being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to design a car for the future and win an exclusive internship with Renault’s top designers, based in Paris. For the second year, Renault is teaming up with Central Saint Martins (CSM), a world-leading centre for art and design, to challenge its MA Industrial Design students within this unique contest.
Additionally, a new collaboration sees Renault and designjunction partnering for the first time. designjunction, London’s leading destination that presents more than 200 of the world’s most iconic brands, will showcase Renault’s design philosophy by creating an immersive experience for visitors to the show, to be held 21-24 September in King’s Cross, London.
This year students have been asked to consider ways in which cars may be used and shared in future, when owning a car outright may become less prevalent. The competition requires students to suggest how Renault might use modularity to design a car which can be adapted for many different requirements and for a range of potential drivers.
The winner will spend two weeks at the Renault Technocentre in Paris, working with senior designers and experiencing cutting-edge technology such as a full-size virtual reality suite, which puts the designer right inside the vehicle. Their winning design will go on display at this year’s designjunction exhibition.
Renault’s award-winning concept, the TreZor, will also be on show, housed inside a bespoke interactive structure on the centrally located Granary Square at designjunction. With its welcoming style and services geared towards driving pleasure, this electric GT embodies future mobility and automotive passion. The surrounding stand will take visitors behind the scenes of the concept, highlighting the extraordinary skill and care that went into its creation.
This year’s design competition will be judged by a panel of experts well known in both the design and motor industries, lead by head judge Anthony Lo, Vice-President of Exterior Design at Groupe Renault. Anthony Lo said: “Last year it was really fascinating to see some of the brightest upcoming design talent take on the challenge of how autonomous technology might influence the world of transportation in the future. I’ve been very impressed by the Central Saint Martins students’ creativity, team work and professionalism, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they produce this year.”
Nick Rhodes, Programme Director, Product Ceramic & Industrial Design, Central Saint Martins said: “Conceptualising futures is a key preoccupation for industrial designers, and having the opportunity to partner in this enterprise once more with Renault as a manufacturer of resolute commitment to design-led innovation is a great challenge and a terrific opportunity for our students.”
Last year’s competition was won by the all-female team behind the Renault Oura, a one-person wearable vehicle suit with a gesture-controlled, virtual reality in-visor display. Following the placement with Renault, team member Lily Saporta Tagiuri, said: “The design centre in Paris was amazing because we got to see a range of design approaches, participate in some of the construction and gain a sense of what it would be like to work there. We also got to talk to the entire design team and present our ideas and get their feedback. I came away feeling really curious and really excited to have seen the concept models. I think I’ve definitely changed my perception of what the automotive world is capable of and where they are moving in the future.”
