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Natural wood trim—as opposed to laminate—is gaining steam in luxury car interiors. Various veneers are stores in a carefully monitored humidor before they're applied to models for armrests or dashboard and door details.
Natural wood trim—as opposed to laminate—is gaining steam in luxury car interiors. Various veneers are stores in a carefully monitored humidor before they're applied to models for armrests or dashboard and door details.
Here are some of the seat patterns for the various parts. Unlike a lounge chair or sofa found in your living room, this chair is made from many separate components, each positioned to optimize the piece.
Here are some of the seat patterns for the various parts. Unlike a lounge chair or sofa found in your living room, this chair is made from many separate components, each positioned to optimize the piece.
The seatmaker sculpts a form out out of the foam. The more dense foam offers rigid support while the less dense sections conform more to a driver's body.
The seatmaker sculpts a form out out of the foam. The more dense foam offers rigid support while the less dense sections conform more to a driver's body.
Seating is a large component of car interiors and evaluated on comfort, looks, and functionality. Very specific compositions of foam exist underneath the surface. The different densities create the support and comfort that's needed to make quick trips around town and long road trips equally enjoyable. Here's an example of the different foams in a seat.
Seating is a large component of car interiors and evaluated on comfort, looks, and functionality. Very specific compositions of foam exist underneath the surface. The different densities create the support and comfort that's needed to make quick trips around town and long road trips equally enjoyable. Here's an example of the different foams in a seat.
Here's an example of all various wood accents one might see within a car. After the shape is contoured and refined by the designers and woodworkers—the same way as the steering wheel stitch is—it's then ok'd for production. This is just a glimpse of what goes into three components and similar processes occur for other parts.
Here's an example of all various wood accents one might see within a car. After the shape is contoured and refined by the designers and woodworkers—the same way as the steering wheel stitch is—it's then ok'd for production. This is just a glimpse of what goes into three components and similar processes occur for other parts.
Inspirational spaces
Inspirational spaces
After the foam configutation is set, the seat is upholstered and assembled.
After the foam configutation is set, the seat is upholstered and assembled.
The color, texture, and grain of a piece of leather is taken into account for upholstering an interior. Each car GM produces needs to be consistent and uniform in look and customization options. For example, if a buyer sees a caramel leather in a showroom car and wants it in their own, it needs to look the same. The studio makes sure that tanneries will be able to provide the right shade for a piece of leather and will be able to reproduce that on a large scale.
The color, texture, and grain of a piece of leather is taken into account for upholstering an interior. Each car GM produces needs to be consistent and uniform in look and customization options. For example, if a buyer sees a caramel leather in a showroom car and wants it in their own, it needs to look the same. The studio makes sure that tanneries will be able to provide the right shade for a piece of leather and will be able to reproduce that on a large scale.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
For example, a designer specifies a certain stitch pattern. A sewer then creates the same pattern by hand giving feedback on reproducability. If it's too complex, he or she will offer feedback to the designer; the designer then takes another stab at the stitch's look. The back and forth happens until the detail is refined and meets the aesthetic standards and manufacturing capabilities at GM.
For example, a designer specifies a certain stitch pattern. A sewer then creates the same pattern by hand giving feedback on reproducability. If it's too complex, he or she will offer feedback to the designer; the designer then takes another stab at the stitch's look. The back and forth happens until the detail is refined and meets the aesthetic standards and manufacturing capabilities at GM.
The automotive design process at General Motors involves countelss talented people from ideation to production. After designers come up with ideas for interior and exterior styling—think: the shape of seats, the contouring of a console, the overall look and feel of a cabin—craftspeople create life-sized prototypes at the Interiors and Exteriors Studio. They evaluate the design to see if it's something that can be produced on a large scale given the tools and machinery that's readily available. Even the most minute stitch.
The automotive design process at General Motors involves countelss talented people from ideation to production. After designers come up with ideas for interior and exterior styling—think: the shape of seats, the contouring of a console, the overall look and feel of a cabin—craftspeople create life-sized prototypes at the Interiors and Exteriors Studio. They evaluate the design to see if it's something that can be produced on a large scale given the tools and machinery that's readily available. Even the most minute stitch.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
GM 15 Pendant Lamp by Grethe Meyer
GM 15 Pendant Lamp by Grethe Meyer
GM 15 Pendant Lamp by Grethe Meyer
GM 15 Pendant Lamp by Grethe Meyer
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
The smaller GM 15 Pendant Light is made of powder-coated lacquered stainless steel. The minimalist, classic pendant light hangs from a white fabric cord. It can be used on its own, or grouped with other GM Pendant Lights. Shown with Menu’s Bottle Grinders Set.
The smaller GM 15 Pendant Light is made of powder-coated lacquered stainless steel. The minimalist, classic pendant light hangs from a white fabric cord. It can be used on its own, or grouped with other GM Pendant Lights. Shown with Menu’s Bottle Grinders Set.
A closer look at the copper GM Pendant light, shown with Menu’s stackable glasses.
A closer look at the copper GM Pendant light, shown with Menu’s stackable glasses.
Illustration Play 2 goes on sale September 6. For more information, visit victionary.com or gingkopress.com.
Illustration Play 2 goes on sale September 6. For more information, visit victionary.com or gingkopress.com.
TheMonkeysYouOrdered.com runs their own caption contests for the New Yorker's cartoons
TheMonkeysYouOrdered.com runs their own caption contests for the New Yorker's cartoons
The book cover. Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press (papress.com).
The book cover. Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press (papress.com).
The GM—Grethe Meyer—Pendants are balanced pendant lights that can be used for overhead lighting in a dining room or kitchen, and can also be grouped together to create a graphic lighting installation. Shown here, the GM 30 Pendant Light in Copper is made of lacquered solid copper and is suspended from a black fabric cord. Shown with Menu’s Afteroom Chair, Kaschkasch Mirror, and Marble Wall Clock.
The GM—Grethe Meyer—Pendants are balanced pendant lights that can be used for overhead lighting in a dining room or kitchen, and can also be grouped together to create a graphic lighting installation. Shown here, the GM 30 Pendant Light in Copper is made of lacquered solid copper and is suspended from a black fabric cord. Shown with Menu’s Afteroom Chair, Kaschkasch Mirror, and Marble Wall Clock.
Robertson--with the help of developers Katie Nichols and John Walker, who were heavily involved in the design process--finished the guest bathroom with Modwalls tiles and a sink they found on eBay. They used a piece of marine plywood, leftover from building the front-porch steps, to create a counter on which the sink could sit--and where the family can rest their toothbrushes. To the right of the sink is a Toto dual-flush toilet, which is great for conserving water but has proven problematic for toilet training, as American potty seats aren't designed to fit these Japanese basins.
Robertson--with the help of developers Katie Nichols and John Walker, who were heavily involved in the design process--finished the guest bathroom with Modwalls tiles and a sink they found on eBay. They used a piece of marine plywood, leftover from building the front-porch steps, to create a counter on which the sink could sit--and where the family can rest their toothbrushes. To the right of the sink is a Toto dual-flush toilet, which is great for conserving water but has proven problematic for toilet training, as American potty seats aren't designed to fit these Japanese basins.
Mmm... the final results, ready for enjoying. Photo courtesy amyskitchentable.com.
Mmm... the final results, ready for enjoying. Photo courtesy amyskitchentable.com.
Method Homes website design by Autograph
Method Homes website design by Autograph
Method Homes website design by Autograph
Method Homes website design by Autograph
Open-corridor passageways, balconies, and overpasses designed by GM Architects, create a smooth integration between indoor and outdoor spaces at the Sofitel Tamuda Bay.
Open-corridor passageways, balconies, and overpasses designed by GM Architects, create a smooth integration between indoor and outdoor spaces at the Sofitel Tamuda Bay.
When the Technical Center was built in the 1950s, it symbolized the core ethos of General Motors. "The initial idea to build a new technical center focused on advanced and innovative product development for General Motors began with Alfred Sloan & Charles Kettering," says Susan Skarsgard, manager of GM Design Archive and Special Collections. "Sloan was the long-time president, chairman, and CEO of GM from the 1920s through the 1950s—decades when concepts such as the annual model change, brand architecture, and automotive design (styling) transformed the automotive industry in America and throughout the world. Charles Kettering, the celebrated American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents, headed up research for GM from 1920 to 1947."
When the Technical Center was built in the 1950s, it symbolized the core ethos of General Motors. "The initial idea to build a new technical center focused on advanced and innovative product development for General Motors began with Alfred Sloan & Charles Kettering," says Susan Skarsgard, manager of GM Design Archive and Special Collections. "Sloan was the long-time president, chairman, and CEO of GM from the 1920s through the 1950s—decades when concepts such as the annual model change, brand architecture, and automotive design (styling) transformed the automotive industry in America and throughout the world. Charles Kettering, the celebrated American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents, headed up research for GM from 1920 to 1947."
The leftmost cabinet above the Duravit bathtub (equipped with KWC fixtures) occupies the space where a doorway once lead into the living room, creating unnecessary traffic from the home’s public spaces through to the master bedroom.The new bathroom features a minimal palette of white and teak. “It’s able to hold up on boat decks so is good for a bathroom,” Klug says. It also makes the heated floor that much nicer to walk on in the morning. Photo by Eric Roth
The leftmost cabinet above the Duravit bathtub (equipped with KWC fixtures) occupies the space where a doorway once lead into the living room, creating unnecessary traffic from the home’s public spaces through to the master bedroom.The new bathroom features a minimal palette of white and teak. “It’s able to hold up on boat decks so is good for a bathroom,” Klug says. It also makes the heated floor that much nicer to walk on in the morning. Photo by Eric Roth
Designed and built by Tyler Massas. This $229 chair may be purchased directly from tylersartchairs.com
Designed and built by Tyler Massas. This $229 chair may be purchased directly from tylersartchairs.com
Chopped vegetables for Avocado, Mango, and Fennel Salad. Photo courtesy amyskitchentable.com.
Chopped vegetables for Avocado, Mango, and Fennel Salad. Photo courtesy amyskitchentable.com.
Open-corridor passageways, balconies, and overpasses designed by GM Archi–ects create a smooth integration between indoor and outdoor spaces at the Sofitel Tamuda Bay.
Open-corridor passageways, balconies, and overpasses designed by GM Archi–ects create a smooth integration between indoor and outdoor spaces at the Sofitel Tamuda Bay.
As the manager of the GM Design Archive and Special Collections, Skarsgard has been collecting ephemera from the history of the Technical Center. She's amassed an incredible array of photographs, newspaper articles, and marketing materials from when the Center first opened in the 1950s. The caption accompanying this image reads: "A view of the patio and pool contributes to precision engineering"—a statement that reflects GM's desire to provide inspirational surroundings for its employees. Saarinen considered every element of the project in is design, including the machinery's color when planning the interior schemes.
As the manager of the GM Design Archive and Special Collections, Skarsgard has been collecting ephemera from the history of the Technical Center. She's amassed an incredible array of photographs, newspaper articles, and marketing materials from when the Center first opened in the 1950s. The caption accompanying this image reads: "A view of the patio and pool contributes to precision engineering"—a statement that reflects GM's desire to provide inspirational surroundings for its employees. Saarinen considered every element of the project in is design, including the machinery's color when planning the interior schemes.

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