Shape of Cars to Come, The

Synopsis: The design of a mass produced object is subject to two forces - technical considerations (such as performance) and market appeal. Explores the mixture, and sometimes conflict, between these forces at work on the design of cars, and in particular the shape of their bodywork. Are the new aerodynamic body shapes (such as the Ford Sierra) a response by the designers to public pressure, based on engineering performance, or are they just a novel shape to catch the market’s eye? Includes archival film illustrating early attempts at ‘streamlining’ together with shots of modern aerodynamic test techniques.
Series: Design: Processes and Products, Course T263
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 25 min.
Year of production: 1984
Availability: OUT OF DISTRIBUTION
Uses: Industrial design courses.*
Subjects: Design; Technology
Keywords: cars; engineering design

Producer

Philip Ashby

Cast

David Walker

Name: Open University Worldwide
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Address: Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
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Notes: NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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