The Inspirations Collection.
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Welcome to designbivouac’s inspiration collection.
Exploring design and innovation.
Over 30 years of collaboration, designbivouac has uncovered lasting insights. Inspirations is a curated collection of inspirational objects and ideas shaping a continuous journey of creative exploration.
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Cruisers Yachts 338
Companies like Cruisers Yachts deserve recognition as they push for more innovation in smaller and more modest sizes.
Companies like Cruisers Yachts deserve recognition as they push for more innovation in smaller and more modest sizes. And they are doing so while still offering stunning vessels. Witness the 2019 Cruiser Yachts 338 South Beach Edition.
It is a stunning yet pragmatic approach to designing a smaller yacht that can meet the needs of those setting out for a long weekend. The innovative rear seating, generous forward gunnel side storage, and an asymmetric passway through to the front bow area all distinguish the 338’s design. The rear platform even works well with the newest version of the 338 that incorporates outboard propulsion.
The generous berth below the foredeck has a modern and minimalist ambiance. Thoughtful integration sinks, refrigerators and microwaves, and an accessible rear swim platform show great attention to detail and sensitivity to balancing pragmatism with style. A powered extending bimini top helps provide shade for a large portion of the aft deck if desired. The rear swim platform provides a generous space to access the water, while an ingenious powered seat solution provides multi-position sun seating for lounging or socializing. Rear outboard propulsion is an option as well.
In a world in need of downsizing and the age of mega yachts, it is great to see companies offering solutions that are more appropriate in the context of the world economy today that still push design forward.
Pioneering Women In Vehicle Design
Artsy’s “The Pioneering Women Who Designed Car Interiors in the 1950s” article highlights the notable contributions and innovations that a group of women designers at GM were responsible for in the mid-1950s.
Artsy’s “The Pioneering Women Who Designed Car Interiors in the 1950s” article highlights the notable contributions and innovations that a group of women designers at GM were responsible for in the mid-1950s.
More recently, examples such as BMW’s E89 Z4, arguably one of BMW’s best-looking vehicles designed to date, was also designed by women. Juliane Blasi and Nadya Arnaout designed the E89’s exterior and interior design, respectively. Together, they brought far more character and elegance to the series than prior versions. Learn more about their perspectives via the BMW blog interview and in this article in the New York Times. These are just two examples that serve as powerful evidence that the automobile industry only stands to benefit from more diversity. As we move towards the promise of a new Age of Automobility, this increased diversity will be even more essential as an increasing number of perspectives will be needed to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The “Damsels of Design” | photo: General Motors
On the Line: Julian Blasi, Exterior Designer for the BMW E89 shapes the outlines of the third generation Z4.
The Z4’s Beauty…Inside and Out: Nadya Arnaout shaped the progressive, yet classic lines and materials of the E89 roadster interior.
Millennium Falcon Scale Model
The modeling techniques reflected in this video are pretty impressive. From knowing when to release parts from their moldings to painting and weathering surfaces, several great ways to increase the realism of a model are shown.
The modeling techniques reflected in this video are pretty impressive. From knowing when to release parts from their moldings to painting and weathering surfaces, several great ways to increase the realism of a model are shown. The lighting and other details in Bandai’s perfect-grade Millennium Falcon kit are out of this world, as ModelChili’s work is ideal grade skills.
For more on this master model creator visit: www.modelchili.com
Topaz Level 5 Signature Detail
Having had the good fortune to have had several modern vehicles in the bivouac’s collection over the years, one thing is clear. Clear coat technology has undoubtedly improved since its introduction in the 1980s.
Having had the good fortune to have had several modern vehicles in the bivouac’s collection over the years, one thing is clear. Clear coat technology has undoubtedly improved since its introduction in the 1980s. That said, as manufacturers have moved to more water-based paints, orange peeling is still prevalent on even the most premium offerings, as evidenced in this Topaz Maybach detailing video. There’s something to be said for the masters with the patience, technique, and scientific outlook needed to rectify some of the failings of factory paint work. He’s to the details and detailers out there!
Form Follows Function: Camaro LZ-1
The audacity of the Chevy Camaro LZ-1’s design is a strong example of Louis Sullivan’s often-quoted axiom “form follows function.”
The audacity of the Chevy Camaro LZ-1’s design is a strong example of Louis Sullivan’s often-quoted axiom “form follows function.” Its massive and open grill, complete with a hollow Chevy bow tie logo known in this instance as a flow time, is critical in supplying the high-performance 6.2L LT4 Supercharged V-8, VVT with Direct Injection engine with adequate airflow. Overall, it becomes the primary signature element of the car.
Blending this striking visual element with functional performance benefits lends legitimacy to the design. Side sculpting shows that GM still knows how to sculpt surfaces for a dramatic interplay with natural lighting along the shoulder line of a vehicle, which is a type of visual functionality.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the highly controversial front grill of the BMW iX shows no evidence of function and appears entirely ornamental, serving brand purposes alone. Perhaps this lack of a tie to functionality makes this design feature subject to opinions. Both are bold, but the LZ-1 design benefits from being grounded in function, lending credibility to the design.
Functional features support engine cooling and aerodynamic downforce to support track handling on the LZ-1.
Features on the BMW iX are decorative and support the controversial styling of the vehicle rather than providing functionality.
The electrically powered Tesla Model Y requires minimal cooling, evidenced by a closed-form nose, allowing storage in the front trunk or “frunk.”
Off The Wall
Whenever I see images of automotive designers thoughtfully shaping vehicle profiles at a 1:1 scale on walls with tape and film and pen and pencil, I get inspired.
I get inspired whenever I see images of automotive designers thoughtfully shaping vehicle profiles at a 1:1 scale on walls with tape, film, and pen and pencil. Regardless of how often these traditional visualization methods are used in this age of virtual reality visualization capability, these images are a powerful reminder of what goes into getting vehicles out into the world. For the rare percentage of them resembling rolling sculptures, it is good to remember all the effort, craft, vision, methods, and attention to detail that makes them a reality.
