A new installment in the Design Theory & Methodology series for Spring Quarter. We will explore topics in design, engineering and manufacturing in the process of restoring a classic American car (1962 Cadillac DeVille). We will consider questions such as:
What defines a "classic" car? What makes a product classic?
What makes a "luxury" product? How has the notion of luxury changed over time?
What does the design of the car say about American identity? How has this identity changed over time, and how is it expressed now?
Who was the user then, and why did it appeal to them? What about it appeals to us now?
How does the car appear from the mechanic's perspective?
How does the engineering of the machine influence the design of the car, and vise-versa?
Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to perform a 'design restoration' investigating the object and its history as a design inquiry while contributing to the technical restoration of the engine and other critical systems. Every student can expect to get their hands dirty; prior automotive experience is not required but everyone is expected to be motivated to learn. Our goal is to have the car operational again by the end of Spring Quarter. Course will be taught by Martin Steinert with PhD Candidate Greg Kress taking the lead on the restoration activity. This course requires an application! Please apply soon if you are interested.
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