8 Tips To Increase Quality In Automotive Design

Automotive design involves the process of designing vehicles. It combines the concept of aesthetics and engineering, while making sure that the vehicle is safe and comfortable to use. It’s considered a complex and broad aspect of design as it should follow the rules of physics, too. 

Designing a vehicle takes a lot of research and resources. Vehicles are made up of thousands of parts which should go together perfectly. Thus, designers must be meticulous and detail-oriented.

Moreover, maintaining the overall quality in automotive design is also a long and continuous process. Manufacturers need to make sure the design follows the highest standards. This is because cars and vehicles also transport people so they must be very safe and secure. 

Automotive design can be improved by making sure things are done properly throughout production. This is because it’s a multi-step process that involves a combination of techniques. It also combines the principles of engineering as well as visual design as previously mentioned. 

High standards should also be upheld in automotive design because it’s important for the company’s image and reputation. Clients won’t buy your products if you don’t value quality and safety. Ensuring quality in design is also essential for the company’s growth and profit, thus, it shouldn’t be overlooked.  

Lastly, quality must also be maintained at all times because design errors are costly. They can affect the whole production process and directly affect brand image. Low quality designs will automatically lead to low sales and more recalls. And this will ultimately lead to less profit in the long run. 

To improve the quality of your automotive design, use the eight tips listed below as a guide.

1. Automate The Process

Automation improves the design process by making sure that everything is done continuously. Humans are proven to be more prone to errors than machines, so machines are more reliable in this regard as they can also work accurately. 

Moreover, automating the design process ensures efficiency in production. More work is done in less time when compared to manual labor. Parts and gears are also assembled with precision because the system makes sure that everything runs smoothly, improving quality in automotive design. 

Automation is a type of technology designed to make sure that things are made precisely. It can be expensive at first but it’s proven to be more efficient over time. Because workers are still required to operate machines, automation doesn’t completely replace manual labor. As a result, people’s jobs are not lost. In fact, it works in tandem with human labor.

The principles of robotics and engineering are also applied in automation. And this makes sure that cars are produced with the best quality possible. You can continue reading this for more information regarding automation. 

2. Test Your Design

Testing reduces errors in the final stages of production. This also ensures that you produce a feasible design that works. In addition, it’s done in order for a design to be viable and safe. 

Vehicle companies conduct testing by producing a prototype vehicle. This vehicle is then tested in many aspects like quality, safety, and marketability. Quality is ensured by performing a manual inspection of parts as these should have specific size and dimension. 

Usually, a crash test is even conducted to ensure the safety and durability of the car. This is where safety features such as airbags, sensors, and the car’s overall hardware are tested. The response time of the airbag is recorded to make sure that it reacts right on time. This is because the response time must be quick in the event of a collision because airbags are supposed to absorb shock. 

The hardware of the vehicle is also tested in order to keep the passengers safe. The car should be made of durable materials that won’t easily be damaged. Its exterior design should also be able to reduce interior damage. 

Furthermore, a test drive is usually done to evaluate the vehicle’s aerodynamics, as the design should also meet road safety standards. Vehicles should be stable even when driving through sharp corners, and should be maneuverable enough when driven in sloped areas.

Lastly, testing further improves the quality of the design because relevant data are collected during the tests. These data are then used to make improvements in the overall performance of the car. 

3. Conduct Regular Inspections

Regular inspections must be conducted in order to improve quality. Vehicles are made up of small components that must fit together perfectly. Hence, inspections should be performed at each stage of the manufacturing process. 

Conducting inspections also reduces errors even in the simplest steps, and allows for easy correction of flaws. Vehicles are produced through the assembly line method and very few are done manually. Some parts may not be assembled properly and the frame of the vehicle may not be perfect at all times. 

Regular inspections also significantly reduce the number of recall or defective vehicles. This is because they are already determined and controlled during inspections. Precision is also further inspected to make sure that the vehicle is working perfectly upon release.

4. Invest In Technology And Proper Facilities

Investing in proper facilities would ensure that the designs are of good quality. Having the right facilities would also encourage your team to do well in innovation. A good environment would encourage creativity among employees, and will boost productivity as well. 

Facilities can also include research amenities and equipment. Having these would ensure that your designs will keep up with the current market trends. These factors are important for producing high-quality cars as modern equipment is expected to be more efficient and dependable.

In addition, you should also invest in software-driven technology because it makes work more systematic. Outputs are also better when designers are given the right resources. Moreover, having the latest software will make sure that your designs are up to date, realistic, and accurate. 

5. Encourage Creativity

Creativity is a quality that anyone in the design department should have. It’s the ability to create something out of nothing. Thus, this ability should be greatly valued in automotive design.

Employees or designers must be encouraged to be creative in order to produce something new. The company should have a good employee-management relationship, too. Studies also show that employees are more motivated to be creative when they have good interpersonal relationships. Thus, team building activities that foster bond between each other also helps. 

Moreover, fresh ideas should be welcomed positively. Managers or supervisors shouldn’t totally dismiss ideas. Instead, they should support innovative and unique ones. They should give constructive criticisms about new ideas developed by the team. In that way, people would be motivated to do their best, and even more. 

6. Invest In Human Capital

Human capital is defined as the economic value of a worker’s experience or skills. In simple terms, your human capital is your workers and employees. 

To have good quality designs, you must also make sure that your employees are competent enough. Regular trainings or seminars must be conducted to make sure that employees keep up with the standards. This would also help them hone their skills in designing so that they can produce a better output.

Upskilling is important among designers too. They should be able to grow and learn from the company. Thus, proper support should be given to them. Deliverables or expectations must also be clearly communicated to employees. That way, they would know that high quality outputs are expected from them. 

7. Know The Latest Trends

Trends in car design are always changing too. The market always dictates what kind of vehicle to produce.  Car designs in the 1960s were boxy, but as time passed, consumers preferred a more circular design. 

Nowadays, consumers also prefer vehicles that are more modern and comfortable to drive. Thus, designers must be innovative and should always be on the lookout for new ideas.

Electric vehicles have also become popular in recent years. Environmental concerns are growing as a result of vehicle emissions. Consumers are now choosing to buy this type of vehicle because they’re both cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Hybrid cars are also getting the attention of a lot consumers. A Hybrid is a type of car that’s powered by both a conventional engine and a hybrid battery. People opt to buy this type of vehicle because it offers numerous advantages. They consume less fuel and emit lesser carbon dioxide than traditional cars. 

8. Know What The Market Wants

Knowing your target market’s preferences will help you create better designs. The end goal of improving automotive design is to make quality products for consumers. Thus, manufacturers must keep their customers in mind when designing cars. 

Lately, the industry has been all about upgrading both its mechanical and aesthetic designs. Vehicles are now being designed to be more convenient and user-friendly for drivers. New features were added to aid in driving such as park-assist, cruise control, and GPS. Newer cars also have more sensors and cameras for added security. 

In terms of demographics, it has been discovered that younger people drive more than older people. As a result, designs must be made to suit their preferences. Studies show that younger drivers prefer cars with sleek and sporty designs, which is why designers create sporty and compact versions of their SUVs. 

During the ’60s and ‘70s, men dominated the car consumer market. However, more women are now buying and driving cars. Hence, companies are creating designs that are more feminine or gender neutral. Car colors are also muted to appeal to both genders.

Aesthetics and hardware are important aspects of automotive design, and they are heavily influenced by consumer tastes and preferences. So, quality can be improved by researching the latest industry and market trends. It always helps to know more about your target market. The visual appeal of vehicles shouldn’t be overlooked because it’s what potential customers see. 

Improving Automotive Design

There are many ways to improve the automotive design. You must first invest in software, technology, and equipment. Automation can greatly improve your design’s quality because it reduces errors in the production process. Testing and quality monitoring should also be done to reduce costly errors in design. Vehicles aren’t cheap; therefore, you must make sure that they are of high quality when released in the market. 

You should also create a good company culture. You should empower your designers so that they would be motivated to work. Creativity should also be valued in the workplace and innovative ideas should be encouraged. It’s also important to invest in your human capital because they are the ones who create the designs. 

Researching about the market trends is also a crucial step to improve quality in vehicles. You should know what kind of product to produce. This is due to the fact that consumers are the market’s king. Any innovation, design, or idea would be useless if consumers didn’t want it. 

As mentioned earlier, the automotive design must also follow the principles of aesthetics. Thus, it should be visually appealing to consumers and should be created according to their tastes and preferences. Market research and surveys can help you figure out what consumers want, and because of this, it’s easier to determine which designs are popular.

Nowadays, technology is also fast-paced in the automotive industry. Hence, you should be able to adapt to these changes. Designs should be up-to-date and modern because consumers would always choose the newest designs available. New car features are being developed at a faster rate, so you must also be able to keep up in order to establish your position in the market.

The tips above will assist you in improving the quality of your automotive design. As you can see, it’s a very long and complex process that needs constant improvement. It also requires different approaches because there are many factors involved in it. 

But you should also take note that errors are normal in the design and production process. A faulty design occurs once in a while, and it’s totally normal. Quality can be improved in any industry, but things may not always be perfect sometimes. However, you can still reduce errors and avoid losses.