Intelligent Mobility (MA)
Johannes Recla
Torino” as a prestigious Italian transportation design university and I enrolled at the bachelors’ course for the following term.
conducted by Seat Automobiles in Barcelona.
In London and the RCA I was surrounded by very inspiring tutors, interesting people and smart industry speakers who enhanced my creativity, confidence and added value to my thinking on the way to become a better myself and designer.
I want the final work of my studies to be a great example of how I work:
An important part of my view on design consists in opening up opportunities to build on rather than proposing one final solution.
The outcome is one conclusion of out-of-the-box thinking, intense research and collaboration with new fields as well as practical testing to inform a realistic and intelligent design.
I am excited to have the possibility to be a professional designer and I am always eager to learn and create to one day being able to contribute to the changes and directions of the mobility industry with my own view.
PURE Sound&Sculpture Introduction
LET'S START WITH CARS:
For a century there was no question about what a CAR is: the perfect balance between good design and an energetic roar of the engine was the perfect symbol for a machine coming close to a living being.
The new era of ELECTRIC VEHICLES is lifting this object to a new level as a smarter and eco-friendly solution. The downside is the lack of sound that takes away a huge part of the character and safety on the road.
AVAS is a little speaker-box newly demanded by law to make the silently moving vehicles recognisable when driving at low speed primarily for the safety of pedestrians: In most cases the result is an impersonal and detached humming to imitate what people think an electric gadget should sound like.
PURE Sound&Sculpture sees the opportunity for designers to take on the challenge to merge the visual & acoustic attributes of a vehicle in order to properly express the honesty and pureness of the next generation EVs.
For a century there was no question about what a CAR is: the perfect balance between good design and an energetic roar of the engine was the perfect symbol for a machine coming close to a living being.
The new era of ELECTRIC VEHICLES is lifting this object to a new level as a smarter and eco-friendly solution. The downside is the lack of sound that takes away a huge part of the character and safety on the road.
AVAS is a little speaker-box newly demanded by law to make the silently moving vehicles recognisable when driving at low speed primarily for the safety of pedestrians: In most cases the result is an impersonal and detached humming to imitate what people think an electric gadget should sound like.
PURE Sound&Sculpture sees the opportunity for designers to take on the challenge to merge the visual & acoustic attributes of a vehicle in order to properly express the honesty and pureness of the next generation EVs.
Medium:
personal observation, research, articles, reviews
PURE Sound&Sculpture What Nature Says — An inspiration from how in nature sounds are made by active shapes using the airflow
PURE Sound&Sculpture What Nature Says — An inspiration from how in nature sounds are made by moving shapes triggered by action
PURE Sound&Sculpture What Nature Says — An inspiration from how in nature sounds are made by active shapes using the airflow
PURE Sound&Sculpture What Nature Says — An inspiration from how in nature sounds are made by active shapes using the airflow
Have you ever noticed the fluttering sound of a Pigeon when it takes off?
In nature a variety of animals have developed ways beyond their voices as tools for communication. Many birds move their feathers not only to fly but also to give various information to others.
Airflow is a great tool to produce sounds.
In fact, the absense of any audible response of movement in nature is on purpose and used to attack (example owl).
>>>> THE PURE SOUND&SCULPTURE PROJECT TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THESE SENSORY WAYS OF COMMUNICATION BY FINDING NEW TYPES OF VEHICLE EXTERIOR SURFACES THAT ARE ABLE TO EMIT HARMONIC SOUNDS BY MOVEMENT AND/OR BY USING THE NATURAL AIRFLOW WHILST DRIVING <<<<
In nature a variety of animals have developed ways beyond their voices as tools for communication. Many birds move their feathers not only to fly but also to give various information to others.
Airflow is a great tool to produce sounds.
In fact, the absense of any audible response of movement in nature is on purpose and used to attack (example owl).
>>>> THE PURE SOUND&SCULPTURE PROJECT TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THESE SENSORY WAYS OF COMMUNICATION BY FINDING NEW TYPES OF VEHICLE EXTERIOR SURFACES THAT ARE ABLE TO EMIT HARMONIC SOUNDS BY MOVEMENT AND/OR BY USING THE NATURAL AIRFLOW WHILST DRIVING <<<<
Medium:
Research: observations, articles, natural behaviour studies, studies of feathers
PURE Sound&Sculpture Finding The Right Tone
PURE Sound&Sculpture Finding The Right Surface
The key to find the right balance is the creation of a sound&shape library:
Static applications of the scientific principles needed for this project can be found in art and architecture. After some helpful insights from industry NHV engineers and fluid dynamics experts the idea of what and how to test got very clear. By finding the right methods, materials and sizes it was possible to sound out a list of very interesting tones. + using an artificial airstream the testing led to very accurate results.
> By putting the results together and dividing them into measurements, materials and reaction speed a first Sound&Sculpture chart to work on was born. All the desired shapes can now be chosen and adjusted for according to the projects' desired sonic and visual needs.
Static applications of the scientific principles needed for this project can be found in art and architecture. After some helpful insights from industry NHV engineers and fluid dynamics experts the idea of what and how to test got very clear. By finding the right methods, materials and sizes it was possible to sound out a list of very interesting tones. + using an artificial airstream the testing led to very accurate results.
> By putting the results together and dividing them into measurements, materials and reaction speed a first Sound&Sculpture chart to work on was born. All the desired shapes can now be chosen and adjusted for according to the projects' desired sonic and visual needs.
Medium:
Testing Materials: Metal plates + tubes with various shapes+sizes, Wood, Paper, Polimer, bottles, rubber | Airflow control: Fan, Car, bicycle, AnemometerJohannes Recla PURE Sound&Sculpture sketching process
Johannes Recla PURE Sound&Sculpture sketching development — The sculpture informed by function & organic shapes. The positioning of the individual elements considering the airflow is key.
Johannes Recla PURE Sound&Sculpture sketching development — Refinement for a stronger statement look & consideration of the audience to be reached by the sounds.
A SCULPTURE INFORMED BY ITS FUNCTION:
By using the results of the physical testing it was possible to create an authentic automotive exterior.
> This concept gives designers the opportunity to combine endless new shapes & sounds and create a unique and honest appearance for EVs.
> Another advantage is the possibility to target different audiences with a variety of sound types and placements on the body of the vehicle.
> Strategically placed air intakes, outlets and guides get a revival and become an essencial part of the function of this new kind of communication solution.
By using the results of the physical testing it was possible to create an authentic automotive exterior.
> This concept gives designers the opportunity to combine endless new shapes & sounds and create a unique and honest appearance for EVs.
> Another advantage is the possibility to target different audiences with a variety of sound types and placements on the body of the vehicle.
> Strategically placed air intakes, outlets and guides get a revival and become an essencial part of the function of this new kind of communication solution.
Medium:
paper & pen, clay, Adobe Ps, Autodesk Alias
PURE Sound&Sculpture Teaser — To celebrate the new age of EVs this concept proposes a new visual expression that is informed by its function. As the technology, the styling is hugely inspired by the dynamic forms of birds.
PURE Sound&Sculpture 02 Frequency Channels — THE NEW BONNET: Front placed under-surface channels are 3-dimensionally designed in order to produce the desired combination of tones to alert other road users (for example cyclists, cars) in any low speed situation (15 to 50 km/h). The actively opening plates reflect the sound forward.
PURE Sound&Sculpture 03 Comfort Volume — FOR THE DRIVERS EARS: At high speed the noise comfort inside electric vehicles is limited as road & wind noises appear to be more present. A complex volume placed behind the passengers creates a powerful yet unobtrusive background sound that is inspired by the noise of a passing starling swarm. The air-oscillation principle is comparable to blowing into the top of a bottle.
PURE Sound&Sculpture 01 Active Pattern — ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR: There is no airflow when a vehicle is not moving. The active pattern uses the peacock inspired rattling sounds to visually and sonically attract the attention of pedestrians when the car is about to start or moves at very low speed (below 20 km/h).
PURE Sound&Sculpture Rattle & Air Duct Detail — A detail of the air guiding channels and the rattling pattern for pedestrians' safety.
PURE Sound&Sculpture in Motion — The organic sculpture in movement
PURE Sound&Sculpture Urban Scenario — The PURE concept is giving a real time feedback about the next action of the vehicle to inform the people in front of it and avoid dangerous situations.
PURE Sound&Sculpture Natrual Harmony — The vehicle in harmony with its surroundings. PURE brings together advanced solutions and the classic beauty of car design.
The styling for PURE Sound&Sculpture quotes the beautiful influences of nature.
The organic surfaces and active elements create a natural and life-like appearance as a bold statement for the new generation of electric mobility.
Strategically placed lights and movement directed towards the target audience visually attract the attention of the other road users and together with the sonic outputs nudge people to pay attention in an unobtrusive, sensory way.
>> THE PURE CONCEPT SHOULD BE SEEN AS ONE PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF INIFINITE NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR DESIGNERS TO GIVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES THE NATURAL & HONEST CHARACTER THEY DESERVE. <<
The organic surfaces and active elements create a natural and life-like appearance as a bold statement for the new generation of electric mobility.
Strategically placed lights and movement directed towards the target audience visually attract the attention of the other road users and together with the sonic outputs nudge people to pay attention in an unobtrusive, sensory way.
>> THE PURE CONCEPT SHOULD BE SEEN AS ONE PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF INIFINITE NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR DESIGNERS TO GIVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES THE NATURAL & HONEST CHARACTER THEY DESERVE. <<
Medium:
Sketch, Photoshop, Autodesk Alias & Vred, BlenderPURE Sound&Sculpture by J. Recla — This is the visualisation of what the practical application can look and sound like:
The organic surfaces create a kinetic energy and transform the vehicle body into a symphony reacting to speed and aiming to attract the attention of road users and cabin passengers. This is a starting point and the possible applications go far beyond cars.
~When the car starts communicating with its surroundings on a sensory level~
THIS IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR DESIGNERS AND AIMS TO SHOW THAT ELECTRIC MOBILITY IS THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS A MORE NATURAL INTELLIGENT MOBILITY!
THIS IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR DESIGNERS AND AIMS TO SHOW THAT ELECTRIC MOBILITY IS THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS A MORE NATURAL INTELLIGENT MOBILITY!