Author Archives: friendofgoodcardesign

Defending an icon ? What do we see in the new LandRover Defender? Lot’s of trademark McG-isms …random grilles; chunky metallic-look front and rear vallance plates; even bigger pens used to define edges; headlights that look like they can see round corners from their massive chamfers. And a few new touches like that blanked-out sideContinue reading “Defending an icon ?”

Honda Civic Honda has always prided itself on being at the cutting edge of design. The modern Civic certainly has the edges. But it’s the misproportions that dominate. These designers have used their entire cupboard-full of shapes, contours, grilles, bumps, and references…all on one car! And none of them fit together. Try switching the designContinue reading “Layman’s guide – part 3”

Lexi When Toyota decided that they would always miss out on selling cars to the (even) larger Americans with fatter wallets with the Toyota brand name, they cunningly purloined an untainted word, and new car brand; Lexus. What does this mean ? “not cheapo-Japanese Toyota”, “aspirational chic modern”. Actually it means “man’s defender” in Greek.Continue reading “A Layman’s guide – Part 2”

Range Rover Evoque A Gerry McGovern special. Gerry, please get some smaller pens. Every line and suage and feature is overstated, and a bit too big, apart from the rear quarters and back window. I know it’s macho to raise the belt line, but the idea of having glass is to actually see out ofContinue reading “Layman’s guide – Part 1”

Whatever is innovative, makes a product useful, aesthetic, makes a product understandable, unobtrusive, honest, long lasting, thorough down to the last detail, environmentally friendly, as little design as possible ….that is GOOD design. — Dieter Ram’s 10 principles The designs of cars tell us much, about the designer, the market, the culture, the aspirations ofContinue reading “Introduction to cardesignuncovered.com”