Students have been asked to think about what cars will be like in the future.
Ever thought about what cars will look like in the future? Perhaps you'd like to have a go at designing them yourself? Well, this is something design students in London have been given the opportunity to do – and the prize at the end is a prestigious internship.
Fiat revealed it has tasked Vehicle Design students at the Royal College of Art (RCA) with coming up with ideas on what some of its most iconic cars will look like in the years to come – an initiative it has called Two of a Kind.
The incentive to do well is no doubt increased by the fact that the winners will be offered internships at Fiat's Centro Stile
– and the Masters students will be offered assistance on the task through a series of lectures at the RCA, which are to feature talks by Fiat-Chrysler's top designers such as Roberto Giolito (head of design in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region) and Lorenzo Ramaciotti (head of global design).
As part of the challenge, students will be required to add their personal touches to two Fiat models that characterise the carmaker's ethos of coolness and accessibility – the Fiat 500 and the Fiat
Panda.
It is anticipated that students will think outside the box when coming up with their ideas, while also placing emphasis on a number of important areas – such as sustainability, digital interface, interactivity and global appeal.
Steve Zanlunghi, managing director at Fiat UK, explained the competition will not only benefit the students, but also the carmaker itself, stating: "The students get to experience how a design proposal is put together, harnessing their creativity, passion and vision to produce an exciting concept that innovates and delights and but with an eye to practicality and feasibility.
"Fiat, meanwhile, enjoys an influx of fresh ideas, creative solutions and pure design talent."
Taking this approach will help to ensure the brand stays ahead of the game when it comes to design and innovation, he added.
By Fred Mason