Dassault Systèmes has entered a long-term relationship to sponsor incorporation of the CATIA Creative Design portfolio in the Vehicle Design curriculum at the Royal College of Art (RCA). The 2-year Master of Arts programme is the world’s only established and dedicated post-graduate course in vehicle design and has an enviable alumni employment record.
Following its recent implementation students on the course have access to Dassault Systèmes design simulation technology. This lets them produce 3D sketches, create virtual clay models and simulate whole-vehicle designs using the ‘Imagine and Shape’ capability. The software also includes ‘Live Rendering’ that applies ultra-realistic digital surface textures during the design process.
As part of the sponsorship programme Dassault Systèmes is giving lectures and demonstrations on how to make best use of the software. To initiate the implementation at the RCA, Anne Asensio, former executive designer at General Motors and Renault and now vice president for Design Experience at Dassault Systèmes, gave an address to the students. Additional at elbow support is also provided by Dassault Systèmes throughout the 2-year course.
Dassault Systèmes software is widely deployed by major automotive companies including Jaguar Land Rover, VW, Bentley Motors, Audi, Tesla, Toyota and many others around the world. They use it not only for design, but also to fully simulate and evaluate every aspect of the vehicles they make. This includes simulating manufacturing and assembly operations, vehicle performance and behaviour, on-board technology, and driver and passenger experience.
Professor Dale Harrow, Dean of the School of Design and Head of the Vehicle Design programme said, “Dassault Systèmes CATIA is a significant addition to our teaching toolset. Its use at the RCA delivers an exciting opportunity to provide young creative minds with advanced, stimulating and highly relevant technology that they are likely to encounter when they go into industry.”
Stephen Chadwick managing director Dassault Systèmes EuroNorth said, “This course is known worldwide for the quality of its graduates and I am delighted that RCA students are now able to develop their skills, broaden their capabilities and innovate vehicle design with CATIA. We are proud to support RCA students using CATIA and we hope to continue supporting them beyond graduation and through their careers as world leading vehicle designers.”
