Nebula

Vehicle Concept Design (TD1) 2024

Nebula is designed for modern explorers in China’s tier 3 cities who seek a seamless escape into nature. Targeting couples with remote/hybrid jobs and their dogs, the car enables outdoor adventures and stargazing experiences while meeting occasional travel needs to tier 1 cities. Huawei’s advanced technology elevates the connection between humans, vehicles, and nature. The design focuses on a sleek, stylish exterior tailored for 2035. Emphasis was placed on creating a dynamic stargazing roof, interactive lighting, and an intuitive form inspired by natural fluidity and elegance.

Lasting Expressions: digital technology informing tomorrow's car design aesthetics

Sponsored by Huawei

The course focused on creating innovative, intelligent, and aesthetically pleasing vehicle concepts for the year 2035, emphasising creativity, advanced technology, and collaboration with Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). The course aimed to address the evolving demands of the automotive market, driven by electric vehicle (EV) powertrains and digitalization, while maintaining high-quality, aspirational designs.

Students worked on vehicle exterior designs that aligned with keywords such as intelligent, unconventional, aspirational, joyful, digital, meaningful, China, and EU. The course encouraged a balance between rational and emotional values, fostering creativity and integrated technological solutions. The majority of the concepts targeted the Chinese market, with some also focusing on the EU.

The course was structured into several phases:

  • Information Gathering & Concept Formulation (2 weeks): Students researched the brand and target users, dissected the project brief, and presented a concept description with an image board.
  • Technical Definition & Ideation (3 weeks): Students generated basic 3D representations of technical constraints, developed at least three unique design themes, and presented a progress gateway.
  • Project Development (3 weeks): Students focused on visualizing their vehicle concepts in key views, supported by rough 3D models, and received internal tutoring for design refinement.
  • Presentation (1 week): Students produced an oral and visual presentation summarizing the concept, vehicle attributes, context of use, and value added to users.

Deliverables included 2D sketches, renderings, rough 3D digital models, posters, and a personal reflection paper. The course emphasized collaboration, with students working both individually and in teams, and included checkpoints with Huawei for feedback. The final presentation was concise, focusing on essential information and results.

Santiago Sánchez

Master's Programme in Transportation Design

In collaboration with:

Huawei Logo
Ideation sketches

Ideation sketches

Three directions explored functionality for comfort, visual appeal, and features for pets, resulting in a harmonious balance between aesthetics, user needs, and innovation.

Three directions explored functionality for comfort, visual appeal, and features for pets, resulting in a harmonious balance between aesthetics, user needs, and innovation.

Selected direction

Selected direction

Made for adventurers in China’s tier 3 cities, this vehicle enables a smooth and immersive connection with nature.

Made for adventurers in China’s tier 3 cities, this vehicle enables a smooth and immersive connection with nature.

Nebula offers an immersive stargazing experience with an adjustable roof, smart lighting, and projections for safety and ambiance. Its sleek design, vibrant accents, and pet friendly features blend innovation, comfort, and nature.

Nebula offers an immersive stargazing experience with an adjustable roof, smart lighting, and projections for safety and ambiance. Its sleek design, vibrant accents, and pet friendly features blend innovation, comfort, and nature.

Designed with pets in mind, Nebula offers a spacious and accessible interior, ensuring comfort and ease for both passengers and their dogs. A seamless blend of functionality and elegance, perfect for adventures together.

Designed with pets in mind, Nebula offers a spacious and accessible interior, ensuring comfort and ease for both passengers and their dogs. A seamless blend of functionality and elegance, perfect for adventures together.

Nebula's design ensures pets maintain visual contact with their owners, reducing anxiety and providing a sense of security during the journey. A comfortable and calming experience for the whole family.

Nebula's design ensures pets maintain visual contact with their owners, reducing anxiety and providing a sense of security during the journey. A comfortable and calming experience for the whole family.