Ever since the horse came before the cart, the world's insatiable drive to be driven has shaped the course of time. The automobile evolved industries and created vibrant new ones. The car transformed culture, becoming a style ambassador, an art piece, pop culture phenomenon and a means to bring the world together – and farther apart. The motorcar created legends. It illustrated how quickly man could advance technology. It made great designers famous and their designs icons. Cars changed everything, and Cleveland has been one of the industry's greatest incubators for innovation.
In the earliest parts of the 20th century, Cleveland was home to more than 80 automobile manufacturers. By the Great Depression, nearly all were gone. Decades later, the automotive wheels were still churning, though not at a factory, but at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Inside the school, former and current students' car models are displayed in much the same way trophies are at local high schools. Former student presentation boards line the halls, with incredibly detailed, brilliant concept designs and sketches. It takes more than sketches to give an idea momentum.
To the Drawing Board
There are decidedly fewer students in the transportation design course than the product design sequence. The reason is simple. "For every car company, there are 1,000 product companies," says Cuffaro.
"A lot of students who come to the school want to design cars. A lot of them, quite frankly, get turned off by the fact it's not problem solving, it's not research based," says CIA industrial design department chair Daniel Cuffaro. "It really is a matter of: Can you draw? Yes? Good, you're in.
"The best students are able to balance both. They understand there's an element of the technical skills, but they're able to identify problems and do unique and innovative things."
Under the guidance of Cuffaro and other professors, transportation students still do an extraordinary amount of hand craftmanship and analog creating – rare in a world of computers. Students practice clay modeling and spend countless hours sketching and illustrating their ideas. Digital modeling is carried out via a 3D SST printer, which translates students' digital designs into plastic models. A keen understanding of the realties of space guide each creation. Today, the industry focus has shifted to vehicle interior design.
"It's like pulling teeth getting students to want to concentrate on vehicle interiors," says Cuffaro. "They're drawn to the allure of the culturally significant, substantial, expensive object that people long for – they don't long for the seat.
"Typically to a car designer, everybody wants to drive a sports car – even moms who have practical concerns," says Cuffaro. "The reality is that Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys are the best-selling cars." CIA graduate Brian Peterson understood all this.
