As a designer I will say practice and random concepts are the best way to stay sharp and whatnot, so I do agree that practicality should not be a driving force for all things – especially since he seems to be aware that it’s entirely impractical and would never be built. So, I won’t comment on the realism aspect since I think it’s pretty obvious.

I’ve been working on an answer the question posed a few days ago: Is being good better than being original?

I’d say the car above is original enough. The idea is reminiscent of others, but the execution is different enough, I’d think. It’s been considered and thought out and the animation must have taken a lot of work. The technical aspects, however implausible, have a nice spark of not only creativity but also realism (as far as you can be with such design).

But is it good?

Does good matter with concept ideas?

Which then begs the question: Should there be an ethos difference between concept work and “real” design?

I think I’d argue that real design, of course, should be grounded into realistic, practical things. Good design as I’ve defined over the years of my writing. There is also, on the converse side, a sandbox of originality that should be explored when approaching a solution to the given design problem. This is imagination, and it should be not be obstructed by any box real or imagined. But! It should take place within reality. I think people often confuse the two. There are lots of things that simply cannot be physically done. It’s just a fact. But there are those people who will say that’s just thinking inside the box.

I think they’re trying too hard to be original and different; edgy. That isn’t to be confused with good design. That might be good art (and even that’s arguable) but good design should solve the problem given, and nowhere does edgy and different sit within the goals of good design.

To wrap up: I think the car is cool looking and has some neat ideas, but ultimately it is just a fun exercise and should not be hailed as good design because really, it isn’t. Even if not though, good work and congrats to the people who went to all the work of it.

Check out their whole process with more renders here.

Look! More awesome posts:

1. Ford Fiesta ST Concept
2. Concept Art – Artur Sadlos
3. Concept cars from the past