Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), on 7th Feb, 2014 organized the 8th Styling & Design Conclave and Automotive Design Challenge’13 in New Delhi. The central theme for this year’s conclave revolved around “Emerging Markets: Creating Value through Design”. The day long annual conclave showcased country’s potential in becoming a Global Automobile Styling and Designing Hub, and served as a platform for Industry stalwarts and students to exchange ideas, concepts and role of design in building and sustaining brands.
The conclave in its eighth consecutive edition had senior designers from across the globe who shared their experiences through trends reports, technology developments, case studies on iconic products, evolving design processes and on role of design in building and sustaining a brand’s value.
The event was graced by imminent speakers like Mr. Pankaj Jhunja, Chairman Styling and Design Group, SIAM, Mr. Ian Callum, Design Head, Jaguar Cars, Mr. Tarun Aggarwal, Design Head, Maruti Suzuki Ltd., Mr. Mike Simcoe, Design Head (Asia – Pacific), General Motors, Mr. Siddharth Lal , MD and CEO, Eicher Motors Ltd., Mr. Anil Saini, Design Head, GM India, Mr. Axel Breun, Director (Concept Cars), Renault Design, Mr. Romulus Rost, Head of Interior Design, VW Potsdam Studio, Mr. Magnus Aspegren, Director (Design Works), BMW, Mr. Richard Chung, Vice President (Design), John Controls giving detailed presentations on topics related to the Automotive designing, followed by a Q & A interactive session.
Mr. Michael Simcoe, Executive Director, Global Design at General Motorsspoke about the development of concepts car for Chevrolet portfolio. Addressing fellow designers and students, Mr. Simcoe said, “GM’s concept vehicle which is a global answer to the needs of emerging markets, particularly of India. While designing this car, GM has focused on emotional and rational needs of the local market of India.”
Mr. Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design discussed the evolution of Jaguar design, which has taken the brand into an exciting new era. “Jaguar has always been a forward thinking company, pushing the boundaries of design and technology. That philosophy informs the work of Jaguar design to this day, demonstrated most recently with the F-TYPE sports car and C-X17 sports crossover concept vehicle, with the latter demonstrating Jaguar principles of agility, performance and beauty in a completely new way.” He said.
The conclave concluded with an award ceremony for the Automotive Design Challenge 13’ subjected on ‘Re-Interpret a Classic’. The competition saw participation from more than 150 students representing approx. 10 colleges such as DYPDC, NID, DSK-ISD, IITs, etc. The designs being worked on since June 2013, gave a vista of concept in store for future. The winners were all students from DSK ISD Pune. They were Vinay Raj, Saquib Sarang and Samath Ajayan and were awarded for concept design model of Lambretta 125D, Tata Semi-Forward & BMW Isetta.
