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Joonas Vartola’s ‘Kota’ design concept was awarded Best Individual Design accolade at the Corus sponsored private view of the Royal College of Art’s Vehicle Design Department ‘Connections’ project.
The winning design concept was selected from a line up of 15 international students on the MA vehicle design course at the world’s only wholly post-graduate university of art and design. Sponsored by Corus, the international steel company, the four-month ‘Connections’ project tasked students to generate innovative mobility solutions for those living in rural areas.
Joonas Vartola’s ‘Kota’ concept features highly experimental and advanced structural design to create a vehicle that can be physically connected with other similar vehicles to provide meeting places in rural communities whenever and wherever required.
Commenting on the winning design, Jon King, director Corus Automotive Engineering and member of the judging panel said: “Joonas’ project was very complete and well executed. It has evolved from the idea started in April but has remained true to the original concept. The feature, structure and form of the project were all excellent and well thought through and Joonas’ presentation was also top class.”
Professor Dale Harrow, Head of Vehicle Design Department at the RCA and member of the judging panel added: “Although Joonas was a deserved winner, the judging panel was very impressed by the general high level of design on show and our congratulations must also extend to all the students. Our students have benefited greatly this year from the extensive materials know-how that Corus has been able to provide and this support has helped them to generate the technically innovative designs we have enjoyed at the show.”
The private view of the ‘Connections’ project coincided this year with the annual Alumni dinner at the RCA which was attended by many leading figures from the world of automotive design, including Peter Schreyer of Kia, Gert Hildebrand of BMW, and Peter Stevens.
Professor King concluded: “Corus is delighted to have sponsored and supported the Connections project in 2007. During the design project, Corus has been on-hand to provide the students with an insight into the impact of future technologies, and the most effective use of steel materials and technologies. It is great for Corus to participate in an initiative alongside a world-renowned design institution such as the RCA, which explores the boundaries of car design and brings together a pool of industry representatives, to help nurture the growth and talent of the next generation of car designers.”
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