Core77
e
- Topics
- Features
- Awards
- Careers
-
Firms
- Firms
- Search Firms;
- Firm Projects
- Forums
-
More...
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- About
- Terms of Use
Core77 is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Hyundai's "Inside-Out" Design Approach Yields Stunningly Minimal Minivan
Hats off to the design team behind the restrained Staria
By Rain Noe - March 19
I hate to give a backhanded compliment, but I never thought Hyundai would be the car company taking the most, and boldest, design risks. Yet they are--whereas a lot of legacy brands seem stuck with creating wacky mutations of their "heritage"--and I'm impressed with Hyundai's design team's latest efforts.
First they announced their crazy-like-a-fox "No design continuity across models" promise. Then they fulfilled it with the IONIQ 5. Now they've announced an unusual design approach for their forthcoming Staria minivan:
"STARIA's overall look is based on an 'inside-out' approach, a new design methodology for future mobility that begins the design process with the interior and expands it to the exterior. This reflects Hyundai's response to recent shifts in consumer needs that prioritize the use of interior space."
"The lowered beltlines and expansive panoramic windows on the sides improve overall visibility and provide a sense of openness. Inspired by the traditional Korean architectural style known as hanok, this sense of spaciousness makes passengers feel as if the outer scenes are connected to the inside."
There are no arbitrary swoops and surface changes; the low-lying beltline is straight and rational; they didn't do anything needless and funky with the pillars. The designers have played around with materials in the sandbox of the grille, but didn't let their toys spill out of it to wander all over the playground.
I find the design restrained, clean and quietly confident. It's distinctive precisely because it does not call attention to itself. It speaks of a design team that doesn't feel the need to show off, and that spent more time subtracting than adding.
The bad news is, we won't see these on American roads. Perhaps their market research has indicated we prefer visually louder designs over here; whatever the case, Hyundai's confirmed to Car & Driver that the U.S. is not on the list of countries the car is slated for.
-
o3Favorite
-
Q4Comment
-
&
Rain Noe
I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
Hiring Now See all industrial design jobs
-
Design Leader DECATHLON / Stand up paddleHendaye, FranceDecathlonNew -
Industrial Design Lead - Ion Systems (Surgical Robotics)Sunnyvale, CaliforniaIntuitiveNew -
Lead Industrial DesignerFramingham, MassachusettsFresco DesignNew -
Industrial DesignerBarcelona, ConnecticutIMC TOYS, S.A.Apr 09 -
Product Designer / Project ManagerNew York, New YorkKikkerland Design Inc.Apr 08
-
K1:1 | with Michael DiTulloA New Core77 video podcast series. Fresh interviews weekly. Subscribe on Youtube.
-
Hot On Coroflot
-
Design Jobs
ORLANDO NOVOA
Raul Gonzalez Podesta
K
{Welcome
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
K
Reset Password
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
Hyundai's "Inside-Out" Design Approach Yields Stunningly Minimal Minivan
This is the way forward. I'm tired of fiery-transformer-shark cars.
love this thing!
our family just got its third Hyundai and they just keep getting designed better without flashiness and without a flashy price tag. for a car company that was a joke back in the 90s, i'm glad to see them continually improving, to say the least.
I admire the restraint of this design; it’s what functional design should be. Anything more ages prematurely.