Tag Archives: NeoMam Studios

5 Crazy Nintendo Patents that were almost turned into real products

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Did you know Nintendo *almost* made a smartphone case with a built-in Game Boy? Well, now you do…

Nintendo has always been a pioneer in the gaming world, known for its innovation and creativity. Starting out selling gaming cards, the company practically led the charge on gaming innovation, starting with their entertainment systems, to the birth of the world’s first handheld gaming console (Apple TV has an entire movie on how Tetris made its way to the first Game Boy). That was just a milestone for the company, which went on to revolutionize gaming with Super Mario, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, and an entire host of other games that hold legend-status in the gaming world. The Game Boy then transformed into the Nintendo DS, which led to the Wii, and finally the wildly successful Switch. But did you know that not all of Nintendo’s ideas have seen the light of day? Or rather, some of their less-than-brilliant ideas that remain languishing in a patent office.

The folks at NeoMam Studios partnered with Guide Strats to bring some of these patents to life and let’s say, we would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the Nintendo office when these products were being pitched. From a Joy Con-enabled horse saddle to a smartphone case with a Game Boy built into it, these concepts are bizarre, to say the least…

Designers: NeoMam Studios for Guide Strats

Nintendo Inventions That Stayed On Paper

1. Nintendo Playable Game Boy Smartphone Case

(Patent No: US20180275769A1)

Somewhere down the road execs at Nintendo saw the rise of smartphones and thought – what if we turned the iPhone into a GameBoy?! This slap-on case for your smartphone basically acts as a physical emulator, blocking most of the screen to allow you to only see a small portion of it, where the game would be displayed. Buttons on the front tap the screen when pressed, allowing you to effectively get the Game Boy experience on a modern-day smartphone. The pros? Peak nostalgia and tactile buttons. The cons? Pretty much everything else, including the clunky GB cover that would practically consume your smartphone’s entire aesthetic.

2. Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons with Hinges

(Patent No: JP2019146737A)

A little less weird conceptually, but equally absurd on a technical level, Nintendo patented ‘bendable’ Joy-Cons for their Switch device. The reason? Ergonomics in general, given that the Joy-Cons aren’t as ergonomically shaped as other controllers on the market like Sony’s DualSense controller or Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Controller. These unique controllers, however, have hinges in them that allow them to bend away from you, enabling a natural gripping position while still having the screen facing you clearly. Given that ‘drifting’ is already a problem within the Joy-Cons, having more moving parts that could compromise accuracy seemed like a bad idea, which is why the patent was left as it was.

3. Nintendo Wii Football Controller

(Patent No: EP2090346B1)

Given how the Wii’s controllers made them perfectly suited for workouts and sports like boxing, skiing, and table tennis, the good folks at Nintendo thought it would make sense to have a football (or rugby ball) accessory for the Wii remote, allowing people to pass, throw, dodge, and run in the game. The solution was an incredibly odd-looking accessory that felt like shoving a remote control into an existing football. “The game-playing public generally expects a football video game to provide a reasonably accurate model of at least some aspects of the actual game of football,” argued Nintendo’s patent. What Nintendo didn’t realize at the time, was that it wasn’t realistic to expect people to play football indoors without breaking bones, furniture, and possibly even your Nintendo Wii. Luckily, sanity prevailed and the Nintendo Wii Football Controller was scrapped.

4. Nintendo Portable System with Interchangeable Controls

(Patent No: US20140121023A1)

This one might be the least absurd because you can really see Nintendo’s thinking at the time. The “Nintendo Portable System with Interchangeable Controls” was filed as a patent 10 years ago, long before the Switch was released. The idea – a Nintendo 3DS-style handheld console with interchangeable controls that could slide in and out, allowing you to swap between joysticks, action buttons, and a D-pad based on the game you wanted to play. Eventually, this concept evolved into the Switch as we know it today, and these tiny removable modules were effectively adapted into removable joy-cons, which many will argue was a much better idea in hindsight!

5. Nintendo Wii Inflatable Horseback Riding Peripheral

(Patent No: US8277327B2)

Let it be known that the Wii years should go down into the annals of history as some of Nintendo’s weirdest years. As the company saw success with its motion-sensing console/controller system, the company decided the best way to build out the Wii ecosystem would be to create accessories. If the football accessory wasn’t enough, the Nintendudes decided to patent this ridiculous exercise-ball-inspired “Inflatable Horseback Riding Peripheral”. The idea, you’d sit on it with the Wii remote docked between your legs, rocking back and forth to control the horse’s movements. Thankfully for Nintendo and all the gaming fans out there, a particular Jim and Dwight scene from The Office helped Nintendo understand exactly how ridiculous this would look…

Image Credits: Guide Strats

The post 5 Crazy Nintendo Patents that were almost turned into real products first appeared on Yanko Design.

Transparent cockpits, VR headrests, etc. Here’s what flights could look like in the future, based on real patents

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Over the course of 120 years, air travel has undergone a remarkable transformation.

Gone are the days of long flights with nothing to do except for stare outside the window as you eat your overpriced peanuts. Nowadays, passengers can enjoy perks like high-speed Wi-Fi, gourmet meals, and an endless selection of entertainment options. Yet, the quest for innovation continues. As shown by the latest patents from aerospace engineers, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the near future. From VR-equipped seating, communal bathrooms, and robotic in-flight service carts, the airplanes of tomorrow promise to be even more incredible than ever before.

These rendered versions of actual patent files from airlines and aerospace companies paint a rather vivid picture of what the future of flight could be like, for pilots, crew, and even passengers. If the future is even half as exciting, we’re definitely in for a ride!

Designer: NeoMam Studios for HawaiianIslands.com

Virtual Cockpit by Airbus

Admittedly the flashiest patent file of the lot (not by a big margin, though), is this Virtual Cockpit by AirBus, which puts the pilot literally on cloud nine. With a panoramic glass facade on the front, and transparent OLED displays, this cockpit definitely feels a lot more interesting than the current kind we have. The various displays might offer a live video feed or 3D/augmented reality reconstruction of what’s outside; the 3D reconstruction could be loaded from a database and/or updated in real-time using live data. Can’t wait to try this one out in Flight Simulator…

First Class Interactive System by Airbus

Airbus further extends this holographic technology to the passenger’s seat, with holographic infotainment systems on the front, and even on the window, letting you see your flight path against the stellar view of clouds. You might as well ditch your eye-mask at this point because there’s no way you’ll even want to sleep with this kind of information and technology at your fingertips. Author Will Self once lamented that we’ve lost our sense of awe at “being hurled by vast jet engines six miles high, then impelled down an Aeolian slalom into another time zone.” This patent by Airbus brings back that sense of awe.

Herringbone Seating by British Airways

Business passengers tend to spend much of their time in the sky, which certainly calls for the need for a more comfortable riding experience for these premium customers. The sleek, herringbone formation of the seats optimizes space, providing ample room for business passengers to stretch out into the recess of the seat ahead. The seats are wide, rather than deep, and curve sideways like a chaise lounge to offer a way to recline and sleep without actually reclining the seat itself. Each seat is paired with a tail-shaped table of the same size, which offers enough space to store essential items underneath.

Foldable Swivel Seats by Boeing

While the previous patent focused on space and comfort, this one plays around with the idea of offering space in an optimized fashion. Instead of lining up seats back to back, the patent rendering shows seats placed at an angle, so as to offer more legroom by making you sit at an angle instead of straight. There isn’t much compromise in this format, thankfully, and instead of reclining, the seats slide forwards with the backrest collapsing downwards as a result to turn into a railway-style berth. It’s a privilege that Boeing only extends to its Business Class members, unfortunately…

In-Flight Meeting Room by Safran Seats

This one is reserved for the business class by virtue of the fact that it’s quite literally meant for business! Designed by Safran Seats, this in-flight meeting room is modular, allowing different configurations and meeting safety requirements. In the air, the room serves as the perfect environment for a long, important business discussion. During take-off and landing, however, partition walls can be stored away and furniture such as tables can be moved from the aisle to allow for easy access. Each seat unit has the capability to accommodate one or more passengers, with the added convenience of being able to convert at least one seat into a comfortable bed.

Upright Sleeping System by Boeing

Speaking of comfortable beds, this one from Boeing hopes to give you a better alternative to hunching over your table or collapsing on your co-passenger as you try to get through a red-eye flight. The upright sleeping system is a decidedly odd seat design that helps passengers lean forward and sleep comfortably. Sort of like emulating a massage chair, the seats come with a head pillow to rest your face in as you sleep, and a looped sleeve to rest your arms in so they don’t dangle aimlessly beside you. Doesn’t look great, admittedly, but it’s a lot better than collapsing out of your seat as you try to find a surface to lean against.

In-flight VR Helmets by Airbus

If the idea of a weird contraption to sleep against doesn’t inspire confidence in you, allow me to present a future truly worth being excited about. Detailed out by Airbus, this Economy Class seating arrangement doesn’t have an infotainment system – instead, it has a dedicated VR headset for each passenger, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in a new world as you fly over your existing world. The helmets offer movies, music, and other VR experiences while also allowing you to get some privacy if you want to just sleep in them. They’re even optimized to work as air conditioning units so you don’t have sweat rings on your forehead after 3 hours of binge-watching movies.

Monorail Food Cart by Sell GmbH

Ever found yourself on a flight that’s just taken off and you absolutely can’t wait for the refreshments trolley because you barely got to eat before the flight? To make matters worse, you’re seated in the middle of the plane, so it’s gonna take a while for the flight crew to get to you. In comes the Monorail Food Cart – a robotic cart that simply glides down the aisle to give you your food. Orders are placed electronically, ensuring the monopod has an efficient itinerary, serving everyone in good time instead of cruising down the aisle row after row and taking practically forever.

Zig-Zag Seating by Zodiac Seats France

I vaguely remember an airline suggesting a ‘standing section’ for passengers (it was Ryanair, I believe) to help cut costs. While that sounds like a disastrous idea, I don’t put it past airlines to think of new ways to make flying more ‘efficient’. In come the Zig-Zag seats from Zodiac Seats France. They aren’t as bad as Ryanair’s standing seats, but they do propose something weird – a bus-style seating arrangement with people facing each other to help efficiently pack more passengers into the same space. This new setup involves giving each passenger their own private space without having a co-passenger leaning against them. Everyone gets their dedicated space with leg-room, with a significant caveat of not a single seat having armrests. Sigh…

Communal Lavatory by Boeing

All good things come to an end, and ours ends in the lavatory (quite the metaphor, I say). This communal lavatory by Boeing presents a more natural toilet arrangement where multiple people can access the facilities without having to wait in line. The lavatory comes with one outer area for washing up, and three cubicles for deploying the goods. Boeing also apparently proposes a standing urinal, although I wouldn’t want to step into that lavatory after turbulence…

Image Credits: HawaiianIslands.com

The post Transparent cockpits, VR headrests, etc. Here’s what flights could look like in the future, based on real patents first appeared on Yanko Design.

What would the Pontiac Firebird look like if it made a Lamborghini Countach-style comeback in 2021?

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We live in an age of comebacks. Movies, music, and culture are doing a full 180° as we throwback to the good ol’ days; technology may be advancing, but retro tech is pretty much still loved and respected (nixie tubes are increasingly popular today, and vinyl sales have actually gone up in the past few years). Cars too have seen retro throwbacks, with the likes of the Delorean DMC-12 making a glorious return, Hyundai making an EV version of its popular Pony, and Lamborghini reissuing the Countach from the 70s with an amped-up design.

The folks at Budget Direct and NeoMam studios took the idea a step further – rather than reviving defunct cars, why not revive defunct car BRANDS instead? Taking brands like Pontiac, Daewoo, Hudson, and a few more, Budget Direct and NeoMam Studios decided to reimagine what their most iconic cars would look like in 2021. The image above shows what Pontiac’s wildly popular Firebird would probably look like if it was redesigned for the modern era. “Admittedly, it’s not easy to redesign an iconic GM muscle car shape and not make it look like a modern Camaro. We exaggerated the pointy bits and gave it a progressive coupe profile. The sharp body lines remain, but it’s clear this isn’t your grandpa’s Firebird”, say the designers at NeoMam. The car retains its hood scoop for the fire-breathing V8 engine underneath, with nostrils that ‘only a mother could love’. Finally, a coating of vibrant crimson red paint literally brings the firebird back to life!

Designer: NeoMam Studios for Budget Direct.

Before Pontiac declared bankruptcy and was acquired and eventually dissolved by GM, it was known for its era-defining sports and muscle cars. Some may remember the Firebird (and the Trans Am) as well as the GTO, but another car that really made an impression was the mid-engine sports-car, the Fiero (rather unfortunately named because a design failure caused it to often catch fire). For those old enough to remember, General Motors made a next-gen prototype of the Pontiac Fiero in 1990, but it never made it to production. However, reimagined for 2021, a little over 30 years later, the new Pontiac Fiero now has a lower silhouette with a wraparound windshield, a longer hood, and a hatch-like rear glass. And instead of fitting hidden headlights like in the original, the newer iteration has a permanent set of Countach-inspired eyes and a pointier nose.

Designed and produced between 1951 and 1954, the Hudson Hornet came from the long defunct Hudson Motor Company based out of the motor city of Detroit Michigan. It had a unique step-down chassis design with a lower centre of gravity, making the Hornet one of the best-handling vehicles of its era. In 1999, Popular Mechanics even wrote that “the car’s unique, low slung appearance and silky handling earned Hudson an image that — for many buyers — eclipsed luxury marques like Cadillac.” The modernized Hornet, however, is a fusion of 50’s design and contemporary art. The original Hornet’s ‘pontoon styling’ is still there, most notably in the rear, no doubt inspired by the hidden rear wheels of the Citroen DS. It also has a canopy windshield, a ridiculously long hood, and chrome detailing all around.

It seems the entire world got a taste of the Daewoo Matiz in one form or another. Now known as the Chevrolet Spark (since GM acquired Daewoo Motors), the Matiz’s tall-boy styling always had a quintessential appeal both in the east and the west. The new Matiz sports a larger windshield and a slopier hood to give it a lower, sportier stance than the first-gen Matiz. Now, the window line is in sync with the base of the windshield. With edgier body lines and a redesigned façade with oblong headlights and familiar detailing, this modern Matiz looks good enough to give other superminis a run for the cash.

I dare you to name a more iconic roadster than the AC Cobra. The British carmaker claims it’s relaunching the world’s most popular sports car as an all-electric restomod with an electric motor hiding under a vintage body shell… However, this modern interpretation of the iconic AC Cobra is enough to make the late, great Carroll Shelby smile in motoring heaven. “The classic AC Cobra shape and detailing remain, but we enhanced certain areas like the front fenders, hood, and a rump that will make Marilyn Monroe blush in envy”, say the designers at NeoMam Studios. They got rid of the classic round headlights to make room for teardrop-shaped lighting units with C-shaped DRLs too… plus, check out those rims!

Perhaps the most peculiar of the bunch, the Reliant Robin is a three-wheeled British oddity that captured the hearts of pop stars, royalty, and commoners alike. It had a fiberglass body, three doors, and a dinky straight-four engine. Sure, it had a balance issue, to be quite honest, but three-wheel oddities are making a comeback in our modern times. The modernized Reliant Robin, however, sort of resembles a space-pod. Still, it remains a fun-to-throw-around daily driver with progressive detailing like flush door handles and a more streamlined persona.

We end this series with the Holden Torana. First released in 1967 to replace the aging Vauxhall Viva in Australia, the Holden Torana has a special place in muscle car culture, particularly the third-gen LX Torana SS and SL/R 5000 from 1976. The modernized Torana uses this ’76 LX as its baseline and boasts of a sleeker, more muscular shape, all without alienating the retro vibe. The designers enhanced the wedge-inspired design and gave it a hatchback-like rear profile, bulkier fenders, and an aggressive face. Keen-eyed viewers will notice the front fenders are an extension of the hood line, extending to form the angular bumper.

[Via Budget Direct]

Popular SUVs redesigned as Sedans are difficult to un-see!

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You wouldn’t be wrong to assume this post was about crossovers, but these definitely aren’t crossovers. Created as a fun design exercise that’s more absurd than practical, the guys at NeoMam Studios envisioned what popular SUVs would look like if their proportions were altered to become Sedans. To be honest, it’s a lot like the Jason Momoa commercial from the 2019 Superbowl (remember thin Jason Momoa?)… these new sedans definitely look a little more ‘macho’ than you’d expect and that SUV character really still shines through. It’s a great way to understand design and visual semantics too, and that each product has something called a ‘category code’. You wouldn’t expect to see Kleenex sold in a Coca Cola bottle, right? Or a soft-drink in a jerry can. Bottles are designed a certain way to fit into their product category the same way cars are. That’s probably why these sedans look like there’s something off. It’s a good thing these are just concepts and nobody’s actually building any of them!

Right above the first paragraph, we look at the Land Rover Discovery Sedan, perhaps the most easy-on-the-eyes of them all. The adventure DNA is still present with recognizable headlights and a standard front grille, but the front bumper is shortened to give it the SUV proportions of a sedan. Also, the roofline is a direct ode to the Discovery SUV, although the boxier rear proportion means expansive room for both rear passengers and cargo.


A Hummer Sedan is the equivalent of superimposing Hulk Hogan’s face on Michael Cera’s body (or the Undertaker on Pete Davidson). The iconic Hummer chrome grille almost hints at an SUV build, but its boxy sedan proportions sort of feel like we’re not getting our money’s worth! The large wheels have the same chrome finish as the grille, making this sedan a proper bling machine. The angular front bumper was also redesigned to give it the appearance of a sedan. NeoMam, however, retained the large wing mirrors mounted on the doors to give it the unmistakable appeal of a Hummer.


Is it a Ford Explorer sedan, or is it a reincarnation of the now-defunct Taurus? I admit the Explorer sedan sort of resembles a crossover-inspired Taurus, albeit with a more rugged appeal. The massive front grille and large headlights were lifted directly from the Explorer SUV. However, the shorter front bumper is complemented with a new lower front lip like a proper sports sedan. The large wheels are also lifted from the Explorer SUV.


The GMC Yukon is a prime-and-proper family SUV. It has the right levels of toughness and luxury, and the same holds true for your GMC Yukon sedan. Right off the bat, this sedan means serious business. The familiar GMC Yukon grille and headlight design are present, albeit toned down to match the proportions of a full-size luxury sedan… And yes, it has the aura of a Chrysler 300 C, but the boxy pillars and curved roof is very much original. The GMC Yukon sedan exudes a strong sense of robustness. It has a long and sculpted hood, a long wheelbase, and a shorter front overhang – all the qualities of a Rolls-Royce. It looks as robust as an SUV and yet as stately as a proper limousine.


Depending on your point of view, the Nissan Juke is either funky and super stylish, or just a bit weird and googly. While its design might not please everyone, it’s definitely one of the more natural SUV to sedan transitions. Nissan’s trademarked V-motion grille dominates the front, but the biggest eye-catchers are the LED indicators and large headlights on the front bumper. There’s no mistaking the Juke sedan for anything other than a Nissan, but from the A-pillar and back, it’s pretty much a Juke with a wagon-like rear end. Dare I say this Juke sedan looks good enough for production? Attention Nissan, here’s your next car.


Yet another iconic SUV (perhaps the most iconic, since the word jeep is now used as a noun) turned sedan, the Jeep Wrangler Sedan looks odd, but rewind to the 70-80s and maybe this sedan would fit in just fine. The flat Wrangler doors are retained along with the iconic vertical grille and round headlamps, but the guys at NeoMam Studios angled the windshield to give the vehicle a lower roof. Despite having a sloping windshield and lowered roof, the roofline is straight as an arrow and dramatically slopes downward to form the boxy rear end of the vehicle.


The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a modern SUV with a retro body style. The G-Class (or more popularly known as the G wagon) is also oozing with power and sophistication. The G-Class may be the boxiest of the lot, but it doesn’t look as unusual as a Hummer or a Jeep sedan, now does it? The powerful hood, aggressive Panamericana grille, and classic G-wagon headlights are there. Instead of creating an entirely new front bumper, the G sedan makes do with a Lilliputian version of the G-Wagon’s bumper. The AMG wheels fit well under those resculpted wheel arches. All it needs now is a growling turbocharged V8 motor!

Designer: NeoMam Studios for Budget Direct.

Via: Budget Direct

These superimposed images showcase what the “average car” in each category would look like

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In what could be a very insightful exercise for transportation designers, both country-specific and internationally, the guys at NeoMam Studios have superimposed as many as 25 pictures of cars within distinct, separate categories to create an image of “the average car”. This amalgamation of fronts and rears is interesting because it sees no brand, it sees no price, and it sees no cultural or budget constraints. All it is, is a visual mash-up of multiple cars across multiple brands to create something homogeneous. The “average car” series does two interesting things. It A. Shows us what’s common between cars of categories, and B. Shows us how some brands have also tried to be subtly different. There’s a distinct similarity in, for example, the taillight design of a Pickup versus a Sedan, or the grille on a Convertible versus the grille on a Crossover. It’s important for transportation designers to recognize these similarities and differences in car designs, so that it’s much easier to break the mold of design and create something truly new and daringly different. Let’s take a look at how these average cars look, and how designers of the future can break this pattern of predictability.

Designer: Designer: NeoMam Studios for Budget Direct.

The Average Pickup

Pickups are the best-selling vehicles in USA and are the sturdy backbone of Ford and GM’s business. Considering that basically the entire global pickup market is US-focused, it’s no surprise that size is everything when it comes to the average front. The sleek lines of Japanese and European models, like the Isuzu D-Max or Mercedes X-Class are toughened out with the more rugged, boxed appearance of the likes of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado.

The average rear of a pickup shows quite a few competing elements trying to muscle through. A full rear-light pillar on both sides wins out over more minimalist approaches, like on the F-150. The average pickup will also ride a lot higher than might be expected, sticking to its original working vehicle roots rather than going down the line of many modern versions which often seem more intent on looking like performance cars than carrying a load of stakes.

The Average UTE

Where would we be without the beloved UTE? The rest of the world considers them a bit of an anomaly but here at home they reign supreme, so much so that pretty much every manufacturer selling in Australia offers a UTE version. With UTEs’ fronts ranging from compacts or saloons, like the Jumbuck, to commercials like the VW Caddy, all the way to full on American-style pickups in the mold of the HiLux, the average front is quite a mix of styles. What wins out is the form of lower riding saloon, but with sterner lines and a flattened bonnet giving its appearance a touch of American muscle.

Though UTEs are all about party at the front and business at the back, the average rear is surprisingly heavy-duty, looking exactly like what a saloon/pickup cross should. There are hints of the side bars and tarp and Tonneau cover supports that set UTEs apart from their American cousins but by the looks of things the average UTE would have carrying capacity to match any of them.

The Average Hatchback

Though everyone will have their favorites for different reasons, hatchbacks generally follow a formulaic pattern, which was why it was notable when some strong features shone through despite being averaged out. Its height to width ratio, for example, makes it a lot taller than one would think, which would suggest that manufacturers have been quietly super-sizing hatchback models to meet modern tastes while still striving for them to fit into “small” car categories. This is also borne out in the bonnet size, which is in line with a smaller engine housing, but appears to be relatively tiny compared to the rest of the car’s dimensions.

The average rear is also an eye-opener for hatchback aficionados. Gone is the sporty fastback style of the mid-00s and in is a far more reserved, Yaris-style straight rear. Though that doesn’t mean that the sporty nature of hatchbacks has been completely eroded, the averaging out also delivers a dual exhaust system to keep the horsepower ticking over.

The Average Sedan

The average sedan actually turns out to look anything but average, showing off some slick lines and boasting a meaty radiator grille. The wraparound headlights are definitely on-point and the bonnet shows off a sweeping curve around the sides which follows the current Japanese design trend from, among others, the new Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry. So, even though the averaging methodology is completely objective, here it’s definitely managed to create something which would fit right in at any of the major shows.

The rear of our average sedan takes a slightly less bold and adventurous route. The boot and rear shoulders would more befit a boxer than a ballet dancer but who’s to say that sturdy and uncompromising isn’t exactly what the average sedan driver is looking for. The rear intakes and dual exhausts add a dash of flair but, overall, it’s a solid, dependable look that wins out.

The Average SUV

Sports utility vehicles or SUVs are a heavy-duty lot which don’t really know whether they want to be off-roaders or city-tractors. Due to this vehicular dysmorphia and the different design directions taken by the various marques, we discovered that the average SUV came out with some fascinating features. The front is stern, with an imposing and slightly protruding nose and the kind of grille that wouldn’t look out of place on a semi-truck.

The average rear has very much the appearance of one of the original archetypes of the class, the Chevy Suburban. This elongated and box-like rear was originally to give extra room for your camping gear, but from the look of the average SUV we’ve created, they have now become the size of a small house.

The Average Convertible

As a favorite of design teams who get to let loose with lines, curves and features, each convertible is unique and so an interesting challenge for the averaging process. Drawing from Corvettes, Porsches, S-Classes and many more, the result is that most of the kinks and curves are ironed out, though the car still holds onto its low-profile character and the extra lower front air intakes to keep the likely souped-up powertrain chilled.

The average rear however really takes on some of the best sporty features from the convertible class. A quad exhaust system should keep air flowing nicely, while the drag-reducing aerodynamic curves wouldn’t hold the car back. The average convertible would obviously also have the hood down, what’s the point in having a convertible otherwise.

The Average Crossover

Crossovers are already a considerable mix of ideas, in that they generally share a design platform with smaller cars but get amped up to be like milder versions of SUVs, so creating an average version suited it perfectly. This can be seen in the front, where the narrowing curves around the headlights lead to a more tapered grille than the more in-your-face battering ram approach of an SUV. The windscreen and upper part are also more petite than pronounced, aiming for substance rather than statement.

The rear of the average crossover is also a lot more understated than the SUV but carries a lot more heft than the average sedan or hatchback, though it has a similarly low profile. It displays nice lines below the brake lights and a sleek rear window design.

Go ahead! Bookmark this article for reference in the future, or add it to your Pinterest for later-on use!

[Via Budget Direct]

America’s famous buildings reimagined as Gothic structures

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Imagination is a fun game to play, and can result in interesting products brought about by unusual inspirations or strange combinations. Architecture has evolved so much over time and over space, but here’s a look at NeoMam Studios’ vision if American architecture fully embraced the Gothic movement. The guys at NeoMam took a look at famous structures, taking their original styles and replacing its flavor with that of Gothic architecture. The Golden Gate Bridge’s (above) art deco style was replaced with gothic sensibilities, making it almost look British in certain ways. The Guggenheim museum’s spiral architecture courtesy Frank Lloyd Wright gets a gothic makeover too, with intricate artwork and even the inclusion of grotesques and gargoyles for extra charm! The Chrysler building too sees a redesign, with its tall windows almost complementing the building’s long, elegant form. Scroll further down and you’ve got the Lincoln Memorial’s neoclassical style given its gothic twist (with gargoyles at the corners of the building’s terrace too!) Perhaps the most unusual is Seattle’s Space Needle, with its strange combination of modern and age-old styling, while the most natural transition perhaps belongs to Cleveland’s Terminal Tower that looks like a grand old cathedral. We end with the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado, a building that’s iconic and beautiful in its own right with 17 glass and aluminum spires that are each composed of 100 tetrahedrons. Its gothic revival looks at the use of stone and stained glass, completely changing the modernist building to something medieval, yet perhaps just as beautiful!

Designer: NeoMam Studios for Angie’s List

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Image Credits: Angie’s List

What if two car companies merged their design styles?

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We’ve looked at a lot of design-semantic switches where we imagine one company designing a product out of their usual catalog (but with their design style)… cases in point, a lot of PDF Haus’s work.

Today we look at a design-language-fusion, if you will. Created by rendering firm NeoMam Studios, this series looks at cars that are a result of two companies coming together to fuse their styles. You’ve got a BMW + Lamborghini mashup right above that combines the Italian supercar manufacturer’s edgy style and signature yellow body-color with BMW’s signature kidney grille. At the end of the day, the car’s still a stunner!

Scroll down below and you’ll see, in order, a Bentley + Ferrari mashup that combines British class ant Italian fervor and passion. Followed by a Nissan + Porsche harmony that would truly be a feat of engineering. Next, we have a Volkswagen + Ford mashup that combines the strategic sensibility found in both companies. Following that is a strange combination of David and Goliath, Smart and Range Rover. This alliance gives smart-cars their much-needed rugged makeover, allowing them to look less puny and more dominating on the asphalt. Lastly, and a personal favorite is the combination of two classic American Muscle brands, Dodge and Chevrolet. Looking like a Charger and a Camaro had a beautiful love-child, the car is quite literally the ultimate mash-up automobile!

Designer: NeoMam Studios

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