Nicola Crea | Coventry University (coventry.ac.uk) (original) (raw)
Papers by Nicola Crea
This paper reports on a new sector for leisure superyachts, building upon the high profile implem... more This paper reports on a new sector for leisure superyachts, building upon the high profile implementation of rigid wing and hydrofoil technology in the recent America Cup boats. The design meaning is that of a motoryacht with effectively a zero carbon footprint, achieved through the use of an automated control system for the rigid wings as the main form of propulsion. The hydrofoil provides significantly reduced drag and improved seakeeping in higher sea states. The technology is common on small boats, but due to the hull drag challenges of larger vessel an innovative implementation of a gas turbine powered water jet was used to get the vessel foil borne, which also charges the battery system. The use of solar cells and nature fibres for the construction of the vessel further enhances the sustainability. The vessel has a modular interior based on an aircraft track system, for which 3 distinctive GAs have been designed. This offers a significant level of configuration flexibility for charter and also creates a new charter market sector between charter and ownership, whereby the client can own an interior which is stored and transported in TEUs. The modular nature of the interior enables it to be fitted in 1/2 a day rather than a conventional refit which can take months. The exterior styling is informed by motoryacht trends. The LCA issues are addressed by extending the life of the vessel through ease of refit and significantly reduced operating CO2 footprint, effectively engaging in sustainable luxury.
Marine Design 2015, 2015
Currently there are significant challenges for humanitarian aid provision in developing countries... more Currently there are significant challenges for humanitarian aid provision in developing countries regarding disaster and disease, such as: cholera; ebola; floods; drought. This project proposes a pontoon based medical support vessel concept for 2025, informed by the design of the Bibby Challenge offshore accommodation pontoon. The vessel is towed along the coast of a developing country by tug to the location of major disasters to provide support, otherwise it is used as a portable medical centre provision with a defined annual route. It would be operated by NGOs for humanitarian aid as a cost effective alternative to a hospital vessel. It uses the principles of Biophilia to enhance the interior environment, in order to improve the recovery of patients and the stress levels of staff. In the three days that it would take to erect a field hospital and the additional time and significant cost to transport the associated required infrastructure, the medical support vessel could travel a significant distance along the coast. The use of Passive Design significantly reduces operational costs of the vessel, and reduces the risk of air borne infection. The implementation of a modular adaptable interior, allows the vessel to be reconfigured in order to be optimised between the disaster relief role and a humanitarian aid provision in developing countries. Advanced HMI and communication technology support the effective management of the vessel as a resource.
Marine Design 2015, 2015
Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight... more Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight'. The fact that styling is as important for a vehicle’s marketing success as its technical performance has been known since the 1930s. The recent exterior design developments by leading companies in the commercial vessel sector, shows that they are developing an appreciation of this realisation. In considering the relationship of commercial vessel exterior form language aesthetics and emotional design, it is useful to first consider the automotive industry where this relationship is firmly established. Perception of a new car by a potential customer usually happens from the outside to the inside through different levels of detail. The first characteristic of a car that catches a potential customer’s attention, engaging their emotional perception is the aesthetic appearance of its exterior styling. Studies from the defence sector indicate the implementation of Marine Design, which includes exterior styling, would represent about 2.5-4% of acquisition costs with a potential return on investment of between 40-60:1. This paper reviews current examples of exterior styling in the commercial vessel industry and the associated benefits to both brand and user (crew). Several exterior styling proposals for a WFSV are presented and reviewed.
Complexity of the design profession is progressively increasing. Design schools must educate futu... more Complexity of the design profession is progressively increasing. Design schools must educate future designers in different areas of knowledge. To become designers, students need to acquire specific intellectual abilities. Are these being taught today? In which form? To answer these questions, a hypothetical list of thinking qualities has been defined, informed by the work of widely recognized authors. This involved the comparison of the most relevant pedagogical perspectives in order to understand the best timing and the most effective acquisition process. The final result is a final map of a pedagogically correct design thinking educational path. It has been achieved combining designers desirable thinking qualities with the best way and time to acquire them. With extensive use of alternative internet forms of teaching the fast growth of virtual development technologies will allow more time for the thinking and creative process. The purpose set for this study was the improvement of ...
Design & Construction of Super & Mega Yachts, 2015
The reduced regulatory framework for superyachts under 500GT offers a significant opportunity for... more The reduced regulatory framework for superyachts under 500GT offers a significant opportunity for a greater percentage of interior volume to be assigned to guest activities, due to a reduction in both crew area requirements and fire insulation and the absence of certain requirements such as an emergency generator. There has been growth in the value of the superyacht charter market in recent years, with the 30m-50m segment representing 58% of the market in 2013. In 2012 33% of the World's superyachts were delivered to Europe with Loa averaging 42.5m. Therefore, there is market opportunity for a privately owned yacht built with consideration to generate the maximum possible income when chartered. Clients expect to have their emotional needs fulfilled to elicit feelings of luxury and pleasure. The design challenge here is to address the cultural specificities of luxury for a range of potential charter clients. Adaptability of space is critical to facilitate a range of user activities through optimising the reduced space is the sub 500GT segment.
Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the de... more Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the designer should be able now to manage the whole process of innovation, from detection of user needs to new possible ways of product distribution. To perform these activities designers have to be prepared in different fields of knowledge. Time for this preparation might be too long for a course of studies in higher education. Starting from a list of qualities and competences that design professionals should perform, the research aims to identify which skills or abilities could be acquired earlier in the education path. What are the desirable qualities that a student should already have in terms of character disposition, specific technical knowledge, creative or speculative abilities, sensibility or taste refinement, entrepreneurship, or competence on specific issues? From a survey on a hypothetical “design professional profile”, and trying to define a priority list of the different subjects...
The world socio-economic structures are going through some radical changes. In parallel we witnes... more The world socio-economic structures are going through some radical changes. In parallel we witness an exponential growth of technology. In this contest, design and design education are undergoing an impressive evolution process. The paper focus to the components that are acting as major elements of change (e.g.: open source design, self-fabrication, knowledge integration, remote teamwork, etc.). The paper aims to document what the School of Design at Politecnico di Milano is doing in order to face these changes. A description of third year Laboratories will be provided. Moreover, essential requirements to fulfil, in order to achieve a Design Bachelorâs Degree at the Politecnico di Milano, will be described. The School of Design has financed a base research program on auto-production. Goals and organization of the research will be shared in the paper. Open questions for discussion are: how to update teacherâs knowledge regularly and how this process could become a standard proced...
Ottagono Rivista Trimestrale Di Architettura Arredamento E Industrial Design, 2013
Ottagono Rivista Trimestrale Di Architettura Arredamento E Industrial Design, 2012
Advanced Design Cultures, 2014
The automobile is expected to evolve with respect to how it is conceived today. There will be new... more The automobile is expected to evolve with respect to how it is conceived today. There will be new ways of moving, new forms of ownership and management, new morphological configurations, intended for more specific uses. But the themes of innovation can be much broader. The car manufacturers to keep current and competitive in the global market have entrusted the task to specific facilities to handle those issues that are typical of the Advanced Design and that do not bring to an immediate economic return. The author explains the reasons why the first companies that have begun to use the Advanced Design procedures have been just the automakers facing the wider theme of transportation design and proposing two specific case histories.
Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight'. The ... more Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight'. The fact that styling is as important for a vehicle’s marketing success as its technical performance has been known since the 1930s. The recent exterior design developments by leading companies in the commercial vessel sector, shows that they are developing an appreciation of this realisation. In considering the relationship of commercial vessel exterior form language aesthetics and emotional design, it is useful to first consider the automotive industry where this relationship is firmly established. Perception of a new car by a potential customer usually happens from the outside to the inside through different levels of detail. The first characteristic of a car that catches a potential customer’s attention, engaging their emotional perception is the aesthetic appearance of its exterior styling. Studies from the defence sector indicate the implementation of Marine Design, which includes exte...
The design profession is acquiring progressively more complexity. From its peculiar role of artis... more The design profession is acquiring progressively more complexity. From its peculiar role of artist with some technical notions, the designer is becoming a maker with a typical interdisciplinary character able to keep several factors under control, an inventor that make things work. Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the designer should be able now to manage the whole process of innovation, from detection of user needs to possible new ways of product distribution. To perform these activities designers have to be prepared in different fields of knowledge. Time for this preparation might be too long for a course of studies in higher education. Some qualities that can be developed earlier in schools. Starting from a list of qualities and competences that design professionals should perform, the research aims to identify which skills or abilities could be acquired earlier in the education path. What are the desirable qualities that a student should already have in terms of character disposition, specific technical knowledge, creative or speculative abilities, sensibility or taste refinement, entrepreneurship, or competence on specific issues? From a survey on an ideal “design professional profile”, and trying to define a priority list of the different subjects to learn, supported by major pedagogical principles, the paper describes what a desirable evolution for a designer could be. Purpose is to give a useful and verified information to teachers and institutions desiring to offer more complete and appropriate preparation to their students.
This paper reports on a new sector for leisure superyachts, building upon the high profile implem... more This paper reports on a new sector for leisure superyachts, building upon the high profile implementation of rigid wing and hydrofoil technology in the recent America Cup boats. The design meaning is that of a motoryacht with effectively a zero carbon footprint, achieved through the use of an automated control system for the rigid wings as the main form of propulsion. The hydrofoil provides significantly reduced drag and improved seakeeping in higher sea states. The technology is common on small boats, but due to the hull drag challenges of larger vessel an innovative implementation of a gas turbine powered water jet was used to get the vessel foil borne, which also charges the battery system. The use of solar cells and nature fibres for the construction of the vessel further enhances the sustainability. The vessel has a modular interior based on an aircraft track system, for which 3 distinctive GAs have been designed. This offers a significant level of configuration flexibility for charter and also creates a new charter market sector between charter and ownership, whereby the client can own an interior which is stored and transported in TEUs. The modular nature of the interior enables it to be fitted in 1/2 a day rather than a conventional refit which can take months. The exterior styling is informed by motoryacht trends. The LCA issues are addressed by extending the life of the vessel through ease of refit and significantly reduced operating CO2 footprint, effectively engaging in sustainable luxury.
Marine Design 2015, 2015
Currently there are significant challenges for humanitarian aid provision in developing countries... more Currently there are significant challenges for humanitarian aid provision in developing countries regarding disaster and disease, such as: cholera; ebola; floods; drought. This project proposes a pontoon based medical support vessel concept for 2025, informed by the design of the Bibby Challenge offshore accommodation pontoon. The vessel is towed along the coast of a developing country by tug to the location of major disasters to provide support, otherwise it is used as a portable medical centre provision with a defined annual route. It would be operated by NGOs for humanitarian aid as a cost effective alternative to a hospital vessel. It uses the principles of Biophilia to enhance the interior environment, in order to improve the recovery of patients and the stress levels of staff. In the three days that it would take to erect a field hospital and the additional time and significant cost to transport the associated required infrastructure, the medical support vessel could travel a significant distance along the coast. The use of Passive Design significantly reduces operational costs of the vessel, and reduces the risk of air borne infection. The implementation of a modular adaptable interior, allows the vessel to be reconfigured in order to be optimised between the disaster relief role and a humanitarian aid provision in developing countries. Advanced HMI and communication technology support the effective management of the vessel as a resource.
Marine Design 2015, 2015
Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight... more Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight'. The fact that styling is as important for a vehicle’s marketing success as its technical performance has been known since the 1930s. The recent exterior design developments by leading companies in the commercial vessel sector, shows that they are developing an appreciation of this realisation. In considering the relationship of commercial vessel exterior form language aesthetics and emotional design, it is useful to first consider the automotive industry where this relationship is firmly established. Perception of a new car by a potential customer usually happens from the outside to the inside through different levels of detail. The first characteristic of a car that catches a potential customer’s attention, engaging their emotional perception is the aesthetic appearance of its exterior styling. Studies from the defence sector indicate the implementation of Marine Design, which includes exterior styling, would represent about 2.5-4% of acquisition costs with a potential return on investment of between 40-60:1. This paper reviews current examples of exterior styling in the commercial vessel industry and the associated benefits to both brand and user (crew). Several exterior styling proposals for a WFSV are presented and reviewed.
Complexity of the design profession is progressively increasing. Design schools must educate futu... more Complexity of the design profession is progressively increasing. Design schools must educate future designers in different areas of knowledge. To become designers, students need to acquire specific intellectual abilities. Are these being taught today? In which form? To answer these questions, a hypothetical list of thinking qualities has been defined, informed by the work of widely recognized authors. This involved the comparison of the most relevant pedagogical perspectives in order to understand the best timing and the most effective acquisition process. The final result is a final map of a pedagogically correct design thinking educational path. It has been achieved combining designers desirable thinking qualities with the best way and time to acquire them. With extensive use of alternative internet forms of teaching the fast growth of virtual development technologies will allow more time for the thinking and creative process. The purpose set for this study was the improvement of ...
Design & Construction of Super & Mega Yachts, 2015
The reduced regulatory framework for superyachts under 500GT offers a significant opportunity for... more The reduced regulatory framework for superyachts under 500GT offers a significant opportunity for a greater percentage of interior volume to be assigned to guest activities, due to a reduction in both crew area requirements and fire insulation and the absence of certain requirements such as an emergency generator. There has been growth in the value of the superyacht charter market in recent years, with the 30m-50m segment representing 58% of the market in 2013. In 2012 33% of the World's superyachts were delivered to Europe with Loa averaging 42.5m. Therefore, there is market opportunity for a privately owned yacht built with consideration to generate the maximum possible income when chartered. Clients expect to have their emotional needs fulfilled to elicit feelings of luxury and pleasure. The design challenge here is to address the cultural specificities of luxury for a range of potential charter clients. Adaptability of space is critical to facilitate a range of user activities through optimising the reduced space is the sub 500GT segment.
Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the de... more Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the designer should be able now to manage the whole process of innovation, from detection of user needs to new possible ways of product distribution. To perform these activities designers have to be prepared in different fields of knowledge. Time for this preparation might be too long for a course of studies in higher education. Starting from a list of qualities and competences that design professionals should perform, the research aims to identify which skills or abilities could be acquired earlier in the education path. What are the desirable qualities that a student should already have in terms of character disposition, specific technical knowledge, creative or speculative abilities, sensibility or taste refinement, entrepreneurship, or competence on specific issues? From a survey on a hypothetical “design professional profile”, and trying to define a priority list of the different subjects...
The world socio-economic structures are going through some radical changes. In parallel we witnes... more The world socio-economic structures are going through some radical changes. In parallel we witness an exponential growth of technology. In this contest, design and design education are undergoing an impressive evolution process. The paper focus to the components that are acting as major elements of change (e.g.: open source design, self-fabrication, knowledge integration, remote teamwork, etc.). The paper aims to document what the School of Design at Politecnico di Milano is doing in order to face these changes. A description of third year Laboratories will be provided. Moreover, essential requirements to fulfil, in order to achieve a Design Bachelorâs Degree at the Politecnico di Milano, will be described. The School of Design has financed a base research program on auto-production. Goals and organization of the research will be shared in the paper. Open questions for discussion are: how to update teacherâs knowledge regularly and how this process could become a standard proced...
Ottagono Rivista Trimestrale Di Architettura Arredamento E Industrial Design, 2013
Ottagono Rivista Trimestrale Di Architettura Arredamento E Industrial Design, 2012
Advanced Design Cultures, 2014
The automobile is expected to evolve with respect to how it is conceived today. There will be new... more The automobile is expected to evolve with respect to how it is conceived today. There will be new ways of moving, new forms of ownership and management, new morphological configurations, intended for more specific uses. But the themes of innovation can be much broader. The car manufacturers to keep current and competitive in the global market have entrusted the task to specific facilities to handle those issues that are typical of the Advanced Design and that do not bring to an immediate economic return. The author explains the reasons why the first companies that have begun to use the Advanced Design procedures have been just the automakers facing the wider theme of transportation design and proposing two specific case histories.
Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight'. The ... more Exterior styling is responsible for that visceral response of 'love at first sight'. The fact that styling is as important for a vehicle’s marketing success as its technical performance has been known since the 1930s. The recent exterior design developments by leading companies in the commercial vessel sector, shows that they are developing an appreciation of this realisation. In considering the relationship of commercial vessel exterior form language aesthetics and emotional design, it is useful to first consider the automotive industry where this relationship is firmly established. Perception of a new car by a potential customer usually happens from the outside to the inside through different levels of detail. The first characteristic of a car that catches a potential customer’s attention, engaging their emotional perception is the aesthetic appearance of its exterior styling. Studies from the defence sector indicate the implementation of Marine Design, which includes exte...
The design profession is acquiring progressively more complexity. From its peculiar role of artis... more The design profession is acquiring progressively more complexity. From its peculiar role of artist with some technical notions, the designer is becoming a maker with a typical interdisciplinary character able to keep several factors under control, an inventor that make things work. Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the designer should be able now to manage the whole process of innovation, from detection of user needs to possible new ways of product distribution. To perform these activities designers have to be prepared in different fields of knowledge. Time for this preparation might be too long for a course of studies in higher education. Some qualities that can be developed earlier in schools. Starting from a list of qualities and competences that design professionals should perform, the research aims to identify which skills or abilities could be acquired earlier in the education path. What are the desirable qualities that a student should already have in terms of character disposition, specific technical knowledge, creative or speculative abilities, sensibility or taste refinement, entrepreneurship, or competence on specific issues? From a survey on an ideal “design professional profile”, and trying to define a priority list of the different subjects to learn, supported by major pedagogical principles, the paper describes what a desirable evolution for a designer could be. Purpose is to give a useful and verified information to teachers and institutions desiring to offer more complete and appropriate preparation to their students.