The Art Center Summer Show is typically a nice way to get the pulse on what upcoming, West Coast, American designers are doing. One project that struck me in particular, and prompted a healthy respose on the core77 discussion forums, is Daniel Yorba's Cycletron One electric moped. It immediately reminded me of the very different BEND concept by RISD graduates Erik Askin, Eric Peloquin, and Brian Mitchell. I love how the results of these two projects so perfectly reflect the different approaches of the East Coast RISD and West Coast Art Center. Both get to a relevant solution, and both also show the value of a high fidelity full scale model in the design process. Our digital tools are powerful, but there is still no substitute for seeing something in physical space to see if it is truly lust worthy.
Check out Daniel's and Erik's portfolio sites to see more on each project.
Thanks for tip Matt Choto.
First photo by Vaughn Ling.