Ford Challenges Students To Design Car Interiors Of The Future

May 11, 2017 by Ford

•An up and over 270-degree centre console, pop-up roof to accommodate an in-car cocktail lounge and flow seating to reconfigure the cabin are winning ideas for the future of cars

•Pitches came from Ravensbourne design college students entering Ford's challenge supporting the all new Ford Fiesta interior design workshop

•The designs, judged at the new Fiesta's UK static debut at the Greenwich college, go through to the competition's European final

GREENWICH, LONDON, 11 May, 2017 – London's interior design students introduced their visions of the future to the Ford design specialists behind the all new Fiesta.

Ford interior designer, Jens Sieber, and exterior designer, Ivan Telesca, heard the presentations and chose the top three going through to the next round.

Team Dies Nox designed its interior around a 270-degree centre console screen running along the floor, the rear of the cabin and its roof for all occupants to be able to reach, swipe and share digital content. The interior included steam-curved bamboo, already being researched by Ford as a fast-growing renewable material for future vehicles.

Iris Apfel (instagram.com/iris.apfel), the 95-year-old American business woman and interior designer, was the inspiration for Team Iris' entry. Drawing on her 'world's oldest teenager' lifestyle, a pop-up roof and bar stool seating converted the car interior into social space – with stools detaching from the car to deliver Iris directly onto the red carpet of events.

Team Nomad chose fibre optics for its interior material to mould to the number of occupants and their desire to sit or recline. Nomad's concept involved a brain-computer connection, syncing occupant to vehicle. Fibre optics' data-carrying capability allowed the technology to monitor and respond to changes in body temperature, organs and the health of passengers.

Jens Sieber, Ford Fiesta chief interior designer, said: 'Ravensbourne's students have very successfully illustrated possible future car interiors, inspired by the leap inside new Fiesta. I was thrilled by the quality presented, which took into account customer research to help shape workable next-generation interiors.'

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Following display of the three best Ravensbourne projects at Ford's European design studio, alongside other finalists from France, Germany, Spain and Italy, an overall UK winner will be chosen for work experience with Ford designers in Cologne in autumn and receive £600 prize money.

Idrees Rasouli, Ravensbourne course leader, said: 'This was a fantastic opportunity for Ravensbourne students to gain the experience of working for Britain's best-selling vehicle brand.

'Ravensbourne has first class industry connections, and opportunities like this ensure our students learn the skills needed to thrive in industry, gain the chance to transfer their interior design and architectural skills into vehicle design and make them highly employable.'

New Fiesta, now on sale and in dealerships this summer, is set to continue the car's UK best seller record held since 2008.

*Ford of Europe reports its sales for the European traditional markets where it is represented through National Sales Companies. They are Austria, Belgium, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland

**JATO Dynamics results are based on information provided by JATO Consult, the company's bespoke consulting service. Figures are based on 30 European countries. For more information please visit www.jato.com

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 202,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company's core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 52,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 66,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and eight unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.