All,
The theme for the latest Michelin design contest was announced at the 2008 NAIAS. Think BRAVE+BOLD. It's a lot more open to design expression and a little less technical than in the past few years. For details go to www.michelinchallengedesign.com or you can get to it from our banner message on the home page of CDN. I'll be monitoring this thread so if you have any questions post them here or e-mail me at my office: steve.lash@us.michelin.com Good Luck and Have Fun.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Steve Lash,

All,
There seems to be a little confusion in the "Additional Consideration" part of our design brief.
It is stated. . . "Additional consideration will be given to entries that also include:"
At least one rendering illustrating a component assembly that incorporates the tire, wheel and suspension system where the wheel diameter must appear larger than what it would normally be for a corresponding tire seat diameter.
Needless to say, that was NOT written by a design guy.
The objective here is to visually make the tire appear to have a shorter sidewall height and the wheel appear to have a larger overall diameter. This could be as simple as, using a color that matches the wheel, painting an inch wide circle on the area of the tire that touches the rim. Wheel looks bigger, tire size doesn't change, problem addressed. Of course there all all kinds of practical reasons this solution won't work but that's why we call it a challenge. I'm sure you'll come up with something better.
Also remember that this is in the "additional consideration" part. The main challenge is to come up with a Brave+Bold Design of America's Next Iconic Vehicle.
BTW, The questionairre is now posted (www.michelinchallengedesign.com)so please fill it out and send it in. The deadline is April 16th. You do NOT need to send any drawings at that time. This is our preliminary screening to see how serious you are and to start assembling our jury.

Thanks and Good Luck,
Steve Any questions, post here or e-mail my office. . . steve.lash@us.michelin.com

Submissions for the 2009 Michelin Challenge Design will be accepted through April 16, 2008.

See more details and video

Thanks Brett.
Designers. . . As you can see from the video, this is the best venue to have your work diplayed to the most influential vehicle designers in the world. This year's challenge is called Brave + Bold. It's intended to be intersting, inspiring and fun. To get the chance to design the next iconic car should be at the top of all our lists. Michelin is offering you that chance. Make sure to get your application in by April 16th.
Thanks, Steve

All, Please check out the post under "Michelin Server Error".
Steve

The problem with Michelin's contest is that the themes are all dumb ones, and they display projects that are so not on theme that they appear to be projects their designers did for other contests and added a Michelin logo to.
Because of this problem and the lack of a good set of rules, the contest has become a joke.
Believe me I was there at the detroit auto show. Guys were pointing at the pictures and making jokes about them. e.g. "The judge who picked that one to put on display, must be the same Michelin employee who went to Indianapolis and thought it would be a good idea to have all the cars with Michelin tires withdraw from the U.S. Grand Prix."
Before you decide on the theme for the next contest, Go to speedanddesign.net and Ask Harv.E to test a theme you are considering, by using it in his contests. This way you will see that a theme is a failure, and try to think up another one. Repeat this process until you come up with a theme that is successful.
Dont be afraid to admit it when you have made a mistake!