Designing a better future, IONIQ 5
5 minute read
The world around us is evolving at a faster pace than ever, with the automotive industry caught in the spotlight, as governing bodies and communities continue to demand more sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. In response, IONIQ was designed with modern lifestyles in mind, creating not just an eco-friendly product but a platform on which customers can integrate living space with a moving space.
Inspiration is everywhere
Not everything that counts can be counted. It’s an important philosophy to consider for any automotive designer, as knowing what to include is often as important as knowing what not to include. The intrinsic value that is added through intentional design, builds meaning into our lives, but this is only possible through design that reflects the needs of people. Integrating systems that ensure people can move and operate more productively is key.
Great designers excel through their ability to have clarity in their vision of how people will interact with space, then design with purpose. A clear design identity delivers a distinctive experience but it is only as useful as the functionality that backs it up. Understanding the details of everyday life allows designers to provide this functionality whilst creating inspiring solutions that are original and impactful.
Navigating change
Our relationship with space is now more important than ever. Designing for modern lifestyles means an ability to better serve people’s changing needs. This means that living spaces will soon integrate with moving spaces to connect work, home, and leisure.
Future mobility is firmly at the heart of this change, delivering smarter solutions that intertwine sustainability with innovative technologies. Automotive designers are defining their design philosophies to balance human needs with ever-changing modern lifestyles so that they can design a better future.
Designing for a better future
Cars have always been designed around people, but that focus has predominantly been around the driver or passengers in transit. At the forefront of designing for a better future lies design that encapsulates the entire travel journey, with moments both inside and outside the vehicle becoming increasingly important.
“Design used to be a process of styling and functionality but now it is about navigating change and designing for multiple lifestyles” expressed Haksoo Ha, who is leading the charge in developing flexible boundaries around which Hyundai designs.
The process of design is now more than ever a process of remote collaboration and Hyundai is implementing a design philosophy that incubates diversity at its core. VP OF DESIGN, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY HAKSOO HA
“The process of design is now more than ever a process of remote collaboration and Hyundai is implementing a design philosophy that incubates diversity at its core,” said Ha, who signaled that the early signs were very positive.
“Inspiration can come from anywhere and quickly brought to life with precision tooling and leading technologies capable of prototyping design concepts” Ha continued. “Visualising designs and refining concepts through a process of iteration allows designers to bring ideas to life at a faster rate than ever before”.
At the forefront of disruption
IONIQ 5 is a prime example of a product benefiting from such clarity in the design process. Hyundai’s first dedicated native EV, and will usher in an era of electrification and will provide advanced autonomous driving services that proactively care for its occupants. The unique aspect of IONIQ 5 is that it will pair a powertrain and architecture that allows for a dramatic interior change and one Haksoo Ha enthusiastically welcomes.
“The increased space and flatter floor beds mean we can design better solutions to meet customers' own lifestyle needs. Our vehicles of the future will be fully customizable so consumers can build and define their own space” mentioned Ha.
“The innovative platform means we can design for greater productivity in transit,” explained Ha. “Seats reclining to a near-horizontal will provide a ‘zero gravity’ experience and will open up endless configuration opportunities.”
Hyundai’s focus on understanding the details of everyday life means the design can improve the quality of consumers' lives. This dedication to developing flexible boundaries around which to design can be seen in CNN’s latest documentary film made in collaboration with Hyundai. It shares insight into how Hyundai focuses on improving the customer’s time in transit without the restrictions previously seen in the automotive industry.