M4E #72: Why car companies still use clay models
In the era of Digital Twins, physical models of vehicles still have a really important role to play. In today’s video you can see how real-sized clay models of cars are still being used in the industry. Check it out in the following video from Business Insider.
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Harley Earl introduced the use of clay in the automotive industry 100 years ago. In the 1920s and 1930s, Harley Earl faced a unique challenge at General Motors (GM). As the founder of the Art and Color Section, he revolutionized automotive design by introducing clay modeling techniques. However, GM executives initially perceived his conceptual ideas as flamboyant and detached from practicality. He introduced the idea of the “concept car”. His Buick Y-Job became the first-ever concept car.
Dynoc is a versatile and innovative material that offers a unique solution for creating realistic vehicle models. It has the ability to mimic the appearance of paint when soaked in water and stretched over a model as seen in the video. This process not only allows designers to observe and develop reflections on the model's surface but also provides a flexible and user-friendly approach to achieving realistic results.
The hands-on nature of clay modeling encourages a focus on human interaction with the vehicle. Designers can assess the ergonomics, visibility, and overall user experience by physically sitting in or interacting with the clay model.