Hollywood Inspires a New Generation of Concept Vehicles in Detroit
DETROIT, May 21, 2004 -- It's "Lights, Camera, Action" as the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and Detroit's College for Creative Studies (CCS) roll out the red carpet to launch the 16th annual summer internship program. This year's program challenges three transportation design students to develop a concept vehicle that thematically represents a great film from history and uses The New Steel.
From "Back to the Future" to "The Fast and The Furious," CCS students Darren Chilton, of Midland, Mich., Robert Jablonski, of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Dan Kline of Mechanicsburg, Pa., are selecting the adrenaline- pumping movies that will serve to inspire their concept vehicles. The students will also apply advanced high-strength steels for efficient structural development while using the metal's form, strength and surface for innovative aesthetic treatments.
"While looking to Hollywood may seem an unconventional approach to vehicle design, it is meant to get these future designers excited about taking vehicle design to the next level," said Brian Aranha, vice president of commercial for Dofasco and chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute's Automotive Applications Committee (AAC). "The AISI design student summer internship program consistently inspires students to find innovative solutions to problems they will face during their careers in transportation design."
Since 1989, the AISI/CCS interns have faced design challenges that range from visual appeal to versatility of application. But whether creating cars from movie themes or focusing on fuel containers, the students work toward one basic goal: using advanced steel technologies to design vehicles that are safe, affordable, fuel efficient and environmentally responsible.
With guidance from AISI steel-applications specialists and professional automotive designers, students learn the design and engineering potential of steel to increase their understanding of how to work with the material. The partnership proves mutually beneficial. AISI gathers valuable insight into next-generation steel-design applications from the student projects. The students expand their knowledge of steel -- the dominant vehicle-design material -- before entering the job market, thus gaining a valuable edge over other prospective designers who do not benefit from this real-world experience.
"The AISI challenge epitomizes the spirit of partnership that exists between CCS and the industrial community," said Imre Molnar, the College's Dean. "In all aspects of design study, but especially in transportation, we work with an array of manufacturers, suppliers and other professionals to provide students with opportunities to work on projects and face the kinds of problem-solving situations they will encounter when they enter their chosen fields."
AISI organizes field trips for the students to show them behind-the-scenes steelmaking and vehicle manufacturing. Field trips to steel mills, stamping plants, engineering facilities and design studios provide rare opportunities to witness the various production stages involved in creating a vehicle. This not only broadens the students' relationship with the automotive industry, but also technically orients them toward designing the interior and exterior surfaces of innovative contemporary vehicles.
Ron Krupitzer, senior director for the American Iron and Steel Institute's Automotive Applications Committee (AAC), said: "Whether it is behind the wheel or on the big screen, the automotive and movie industries both play a significant role in bringing our hopes, dreams and fantasies to life. In turn, the AISI/CCS program represents a long tradition of stimulating transportation designers of the future with non-traditional thinking to take automotive design to a new level. This program is a tremendous investment in our future."
The College for Creative Studies is one of the nation's leading arts education institutions. A private, fully accredited, four-year college, CCS offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in animation and digital media, communication design, crafts, fine arts, illustration, industrial design, interior design and photography. The college also offers non-credit courses in the visual arts through its Community Arts Partnerships continuing and community education program. CCS is located in Detroit's Cultural Center, where it provides a challenging learning environment in which students explore issues of art and design while preparing for careers in the professional world. More information is available at the College's website at www.ccscad.edu .
The American Iron and Steel Institute is a non-profit association of North American companies engaged in the iron and steel industry. The Institute comprises 32 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view the American Iron and Steel Institute's website at www.steel.org .
The Automotive Applications Committee is a subcommittee of the Market Development Committee of AISI and focuses on advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive automotive market. With offices and staff located in Detroit, cooperation between the automobile and steel industries has been key to its success. This industry cooperation resulted in the formation of the Auto/Steel Partnership, a consortium of DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors and the member companies of the AAC. For more news or information, view the American Iron and Steel Institute/Automotive Applications Committee's website at www.autosteel.org .
American Iron and Steel Institute/
Automotive Applications Committee:
Dofasco Inc.
Ispat Inland Inc.
Nucor Corporation
SeverStal North America Inc.
United States Steel Corporation
NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit www.autosteel.org to view pictures and read journal entries from the students as they participate in the AISI summer internship.
