News And Updates

…but it’s for a good reason!

When I should have been writing about the great designers I’m coming across, I’ve been working with Joyce — not just a blogger but also a freelance photographer and graphic designer — on designing and programming a new DesignBoston.org.

The basic layout is all set, but there’s still much to be done. We’re hoping to be finished in the next few days. When that happens, the site will be unavailable for a short time while we make the switchover.

In the meantime, I’ll be sure to post as often as I can.

Thanks for your patience!

(Yes, I was dared to put this old school .gif up. )

Merry Christmas!

I had a chance to walk the floor of the New England International Auto Show yesterday (full transparency: I went as a guest of General Motors). I hadn’t been to the NEIAS since it moved from the Bayside Expo Center to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, so this was an interesting change from what I was used to.

I haven’t owned a car for 2-1/2 years, and I’ve always been a proponent of smaller cars. But I’m finding myself more interested in a number of Crossovers — vehicles “built on a car platform but borrowing features from a traditional Sport Utility Vehicle.” (Wikipedia). I appreciate that manufacturers are beginning to give these vehicles more car-like design and (in some cases) improved fuel economy, while having the cargo capacity of larger SUVs.

It’s with this increased level of interest that I present my Top 7 Crossover Designs for 2010:

Subaru Outback

With it’s most recent redesign, the Subaru Outback becomes an altogether separate vehicle from the Legacy sedan and wagon. The Outback retains the look of a tall wagon, but with more rugged accents, like that chunky lower fascia and the thick plastic roof rack. Subaru seems to also be following the trend of pulling the headlights up the hood, which gives the Outback a more aggressive stance than earlier versions.

Toyota Venza

Do you remember the Camry Wagon? There was such a thing, up until is was discontinued in 1996. The Toyota Venza is the spiritual predecessor of that wagon, what with no hints of truckishness you see in the RAV4 and Highlander. I like the Venza’s clean lines and kind of angry robo-Camry front end.

Ford Flex

If you’re looking for a modern surf-wagon, the Ford Flex is it. The Flex is a long, low ride, and the three horizontal indents along the sides only accentuate that. That bold-yet-simple front grill contrasts sharply with that of the Venza. To me, it speaks to Ford’s recommitment to product design and development.

Audi Q5

If one brand represents class, to me it’s Audi. The Audi Q5’s clean lines, subtle accent crease along the side, and black-and-chrome front grille are all signs of a kind of understated style that speaks volumes compared to its competitors.

BMW 5501 GT

The BMW 550i GT is based (and named) after the 550i sedan, but with more legroom (same as a 7-series) and headroom (same as the X5). The shape of the 5501 GT is oddly-coupelike and has a rear trunk that opens like a regular trunk or a hatchback. It’s a striking design, as with most BMWs, but it’s one that feels like it doesn’t fit well into any one category, like the X3, X5 and (to an extent) the X6 do.

Lincoln MKT

Built on the same platform as the Flex but with an entirely different outlook, the Lincoln MKT is all about urban luxury. Like the Flex, the MKT rides low to the ground, and that big overbite grill harkens back to Lincolns of yore, like this 1940 Lincoln Convertible. A single belt line runs from the driving lights in the lower front facia, then high up along the side of the MKT, then ending at the wrap-around tail lamps. It’s a modern design that reflects – and respects – Lincolns of the past, without garishly copying their look.

Cadillac SRX

At the other end of American luxury crossovers is the Cadillac SRX. Cadillac has adopted an angular, modern design with a much more athletic shape. It was a design — and attitude — that started in the CTS sedan, and has spread through the rest of the line. Like Lincoln, it’s a sign of their rebirth, but Cadillac is going about it in a different way, by looking ever forward.

I was bouncing around online last night, looking for some sort of design inspiration, when I came across this video that I’m sure mod*mom would love.

More a long form Cadillac commercial than Objectified, The American Look is a look at all the forms of modern design from a half-century ago.

In appreciation of the stylists of America, who work in lines, forms and textures and colors to give us beauty, charm, and elegance in the conveniences, comforts, and necessities of our daily living, as a tribute to men and women, who design.

The video showcases great examples of mid-century modern design for the house, office, and even the farm. Throughout the video, I was playing a subconscious game of recognize-the-icons. Watch the video, I’m sure you will, too.

© GM Corp.

Saab announced that a convertible version of the 9-X Biohybrid coupe that won Best Concept at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show will be introduced at next month’s Paris Auto Show.

The convertible has a striking shape, with its aggressive front end, wraparound glasshouse, and prominent rear pillars that mount the flat-folding Canopy Top and also anchor the separate, recessed rear screen. Saab is calling the 9-X “Air” “an innovative design study exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like.” It looks quite a bit smaller than the current 9-3 Convertible; could this suggest a new, smaller Saab is on its way?

© GM Corp.

The 9-X “Air”, like it’s coupe variant, is powered by a 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine that combines the sportiness of a turbocharged small engine, with the use of E85 bioethanol fuel and hybrid technology.

Sure, it’s pretty, but what does this have to do with Boston?

Of the multitude of car shows around the US throughout the year, one of the two places the Saab 9-X “Air” will make an appearance is at our very own New England Auto Show from December 3-7. That’s proof of Saab’s strong history around New England.

As I mentioned previously, I’m organizing a fund raiser, called Social Media for Social Change. Here’s the basic idea of it:

The social media world has proven that, though still a young and small community within a multitude of industries, we have the power to exact great change.

Social media has broken down walls and created conversations. IBM does product testing in Second Life. Old college classmates reunite on Facebook. Zappos does intra-office communication via Twitter. All great, paradigm shifting events.

But we believe something more is possible.

The event is going to raise funds to benefit Jane Doe, Inc., a Boston-based anti-domestic abuse organization. It’s going to be held Friday, October 10, at the Harvard Club on Commonwealth Ave.

It’s one event, but it’s shaping up to be a movement. One that brings individuals, startups, companies, corporations and the causes we value together to change the lives of those who need it most.

How can my friends in the design world do to help?

For the back story, check out the SM4SC blog.

If you are an individual looking to help out, find out how to get involved now.

If you are a designer, store or firm looking to earn some fantastic karma, check out how to sponsor our event.

And thank you.

You know I love architecture and interior design. Almost as much as I like those, I like cars. For as much as I write about green design, I love driving fast. I’m nothing if not complicated.

Today, instead of sitting behind a desk, I was given the chance to sit behind the wheel of the fastest, most powerful Saab ever: the Saab Turbo X.

Why is it called the Saab Turbo X? Well, Saab starts with the 9-3 and puts in a turbocharged 2.8 V6 that produces 280 hp and and 295 lb-ft of torque. Then they add a unique Cross Wheel Drive system. Cross, because torque can be transferred between the rear wheels – something that doesn’t happen in other AWD systems and helps the car keep control through all types of driving situations. All that power is delivered to the pavement through 18″ wheels wrapped in high performance tires.

Yeah, yeah. Car talk. Blah. Blah. BLAH. I know, this is a DESIGN blog. What about the car’s design?

Visually, the car is stunning. The new for 2008 9-3 is sharper than ever, with it’s wrap-around headlamps and integrated center grill. The Turbo X steps it up with a deeper front lip spoiler with an integrated air intake to reduce drag (make the car more aerodynamic – forms follows function, right?). In the back, the rear fascia is lowered and wrap around rhomboid-shaped exhaust pipes. Overall, a subtle hint of I’ll-kick-your-butt-ness.

Inside, the Turbo X is all business: well appointed, but not flashy. Sport seats; carbon fiber on the glove box, shifter console and door trim; a fat leather steering wheel; and a retro turbo-boost gauge all give the feel of a purpose-built machine.

Color. What colors can you can get? You won’t have a hard time choosing which color to get, because all 600 Turbo X’s that are coming to the US are jet black. Get it? Saab – “born from jets”, jet black Turbo X. Actually, it’s deeper than that. Saab and turbocharging are as old as I am – the first Saab 99 Turbo was introduced in 1977. Throughout the 30+ year history of turbo Saabs, the jet black turbo has become a sort of cult car – the one to have. The Turbo X is a nod to the enthusiast.

OK, it’s got a fast engine, good grip, looks good, has a well appointed interior, and is black. What does it drive like?

On the roads and highways from Herb Chambers Saab in Allston to the test track in North Andover, it was powerful yet comfortable. The sport suspension and big wheels gave no hint of a jarring right like other performance setups can. Those leather seats are sooo comfortable, you feel like you could ride in that seat for hours without getting that we’ve-been-driving-for-hours-and-my-butt-is-sore feeling.

What’s it like on the track?

Wow.

Actually, my post on Twitter after I drove it for the first time was “That. Was. Fun”.

I took four or five turns of about three laps each. It wasn’t an actual racetrack, but a large parking lot set up with an autocross course. The course had a variety of turns, one of which was covered in sand. Try as hard as all of the journalists did, we could not get this car to spin. Lots of screaming tires, the occasional downed cone (none by me!), but no backwards cars. A group of auto journalists unable to get a car to spin is probably the single greatest compliment to the Turbo X’s stability.

Overall, a great day (did I mention the weather? OMG!) to spend in a great new car. About half of the 600 Turbo X’s coming to the US have already been spoken for, so if you want one, you’d better act quick!

Want to see more photos? Check out my photos on Flickr!

Earlier today, I logged onto my Facebook account and saw an ad for what looked eerily like the Ford Focus I sold after I moved to the city. I wiped my glasses clean (just to be safe), and looked again. It wasn’t a Focus, but in fact the new 2008 Saturn Astra.

The Astra is all new, in America at least (the Opel Astra has been competing with the VW GTI and other hatchbacks in Europe for some time). The specs page wasn’t loading all the way when I tried to check it out, but according to Edmunds.com, the Astra is going to have a 140-hp, 1.8L 4-cylinder motor and will be available as a three- and five-door hatchback. Saturn is playing up the driveability of the car, offering up 18″ wheels and “sport seats” on the three-door.

What do I think? Well, I love small, “tossable” cars. With 140-hp, it’s not the most powerful sport hatch on the market, but I’ve always appreciated handling over sheer power. Design-wise, I think it looks a lot like my old Focus, but with the signature Saturn bug-eye headlamps.

I don’t think it will set any records, but will be a good choice for someone looking for a car with a lot of reliability, good economy, and a little sport. Just like my Focus.

I know my friend Adam Denison is having fun.

After years of being seen as the official vehicle of the old, out of touch white man, Cadillac has emerged as a force to be reckoned with.

The newly redesigned 2008 Cadillac CTS was recently named Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year. Two upcoming versions of the CTS also won the Eyes On Design award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit: The high performance 550hp 2009 CTS-V won the award for Best Production Car; the CTS Coupe won the Best Concept Car.

GM must be really enjoying themselves, as the Chevy Malibu (which I’ve talked about before here and here) won the North American Car of the Year. Congratulations to Adam and the rest of GM.