The Auto Channel: North America | Europe

Nissan's Cube-ism: Automobile Meets Art Program Going Strong

Students Continue Their Advancement Towards Final Output To Be On Display At The New York International Auto Show

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 3 -- Nissan North America announced in October its Cube-ism: Automobile Meets Art project, a collaboration with students from Brooks Institute and Pratt Institute, designed to introduce the Nissan Cube to the U.S. The project puts the Nissan Cube, currently sold only in Japan, into the hands of these U.S. film and design students to create provocative films and designs that communicate the Nissan Cube's unique personality and style.

"The students are bringing such creative and unique concepts to this project," says Bruce Campbell, vice president of design, Nissan Design America. "Nissan places high value on fresh thinking and innovative design - in our own studios and outside our industry. We've really enjoyed working with these students and are very excited to see the final output."

The Brooks Institute film concept communicates the Cube story through character and setting, using innovative equipment, material and advanced special effects software. Students are taking this opportunity to work with new technologies such as the "Red" camera system.

"What is most exciting about this project is the innovative way Nissan is remaining true to the spirit of the Cube, "says Brooks film faculty member Rich Fortinberry. "This car has an iconic and unique look that springs from its design foundation in the concept of "cubeness" and the shape of a cube. By allowing the students to explore the concept of "cubeness" in an art film, Nissan is exploring the concept of the product in an entirely new way. Nissan is engaging the students in the process and getting the perspective of American college students. This type of radical and creative collaboration is key to staying in tune with young people in an increasingly competitive and fragmented marketplace.

Pratt Institute students have chosen materials that will be used on the exterior and interior of the vehicles. After reviewing several proposals, two vehicle concepts have emerged: the Quaze and the Nielus. The Quaze concept is a high energy, urban interpretation of "Cube-ness," using 3D design elements and an innovative combination of materials. The Nielus concept fuses two bold styles; one juxtaposes aggressive shapes and vibrant hues, the other melds organic colors and mechanical forms.

"The students here at Pratt working on the Nissan Cube project think that the design of the Cubes is extremely intriguing," says professor of industrial design Martin Skalski. "They reacted to their excitement about the Cubes by designing two very strong concepts and it's clear that the results are going to be a stunningly beautiful statement."

The final creatives will be shown at the 2008 New York International Auto Show during press days March 19-20, displayed in a customized "Cube Gallery" in the South Hall at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Members of the press will be invited to vote for one winning design concept, and students and representatives from Brooks Institute and Pratt Institute will be on site to give interviews.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com.

About Brooks Institute

Brooks Institute celebrates more than 60 years of educating students in the visual and media arts. With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, the school offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography. Brooks' graduates are visible nationally and internationally, working for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, including Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and other industry leaders in the visual media arts fields. Brooks is part of the Career Education Corporation network of schools . For more information about Brooks Institute and the school's programs, visit www.brooks.edu, or call 805-966-3888.

About Pratt Institute:

Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute is the largest independent college of art and design in the northeastern United States, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the schools of architecture, art and design, information and library science, and liberal arts and sciences. Pratt is located on 25 landscaped acres in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn and has a Manhattan campus in a renovated eight-story building on West 14th Street in Chelsea.