On Wed, 23 Jan 2002, Chris RUST(SCS) wrote:> ... I would be tempted to look at the more recent history of Renault,
> ..., or just tinkering with the tail fins to attract attention.
I recall a story from my student days, ~@ years ago. As computing
students we were told that the practice at Ford when designing car shapes
was to draw a freehand curve, build a full-size model, digitize it and
then machine that shape however complex it was. Renault in contrast had
introduced on-screen design, so their body shapes were mathematical curves
(splines) that could be specified with a discrete set of parameters. The
Renault system allowed for "tweaking" at the design stage.
Chris prompts me to raise the question of whether there are any words to
distinguish between design to meet a need and design for its own sake (ie
fashion). Hence "design consultants" who charge a million to tell you to
paint the vans blue.
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