STANCE, Finland’s first and only full-time automotive design course, is part of the Lahti Institute of Design in Helsinki. The newly established program recently exhibited the work of its inaugural automotive design graduates, showcasing wide-ranging design proposals based on their own independent research.
The Lahti Institute of Design has long had a connection with the automotive design world, with previous Industrial Design graduates choosing to specialize in that field. Graduates continued their studies at London’s Royal College of Art (amongst other master’s level programs) and gone on to work in the automotive design industry. Today, Lahti alumni can be found in car studios such as Skoda, Toyota, Telsa and many more around the world.
In 2011 this established connection with the industry inspired the course tutors to begin teaching a full-time dedicated Vehicle Design bachelors degree course, which is currently the only course of its kind in Finland. This year sees the first fruits of that idea, with two of the graduates heading off to masters level studies at the RCA and Umea Institute in Sweden. Below is a compilation of their projects.
Crawler/Batmobile concept by Pekka Puhakka
Pekka Puhakka studied Batman as a superhero and the phenomenon and history behind the character as the basis for his Crawler concept. Following this research, he began sketching the vehicle and developing the model in 3D under the supervision of car designer Jarno Lehtinen. The final design of Puhakka’s interpretation of the legendary Batmobile hero car was realized as a plastic scale model created using 3D printing.
Husky Hybrid Rescue Vehicle by Viljami Räisänen
Viljami Räisänen’s Husky Hybrid concept is a futuristic vision of a ‘search & rescue’ vehicle developed for arctic regions. The dual function vehicle can operate both on land and in the air. Viljami Räisänen conducted research on search and rescue work in certain areas and concentrated his focus on rescue methods used in arctic conditions. He also took into account the technology that is used in rescue vehicles operating on snowy conditions. The resulting concept is a conceptual vision intended for the year 2035, which addresses future needs of search & rescue vehicles in arctic regions.
Porsche 881 concept by Kalle Keituri
Inspired by chemical reactions, forms and adaptability of advanced sciences, Kalle Keituri developed a conceptual idea for his graduation project: the Porsche 881. “My aim was to create a connection between Porsche design philosophy and chemistry,” says Keituri, who began exploring the history of different car manufacturers before deciding to base his concept on the Porsche brand. “The concept idea is to make a bold and pure interpretation of Porsche’s future sports car.” Focusing on the exterior design, Keituri used chemistry-inspired innovative technologies, material and aerodynamic solutions: “The aim is to give Porsche design language another expression.”
