INDUSTRIAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
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AEOLUS
HELMET DESIGN
Challenge - This brand extension project focused on redesigning a bicycle helmet, using the brand identity and design language of McLaren Automotive.
Concept - Inspiration was drawn from McLaren’s distinctive design language to incorporate features such as dramatic sweeping cutouts and venting, carbon fibre texture, and bold colouring.
Result - These elements combine to create a helmet that not only delivers exceptional performance but also reflects McLaren’s commitment to precision, innovation, and elegance. Aeolus's race-honed dynamics, extreme-lightweight engineering, and sleek aerodynamics make this a seamless road racing companion.
Duration 4 weeks
2nd Year Brand Extension Studio Project
Date April 2024
Designed with Molly Creaghan + Talia Melzer​​​​​
FEATURES
VENTING
Aeolus aims to mimic the bodies of McLaren super cars, designed with the majority of the action on the side and back profiles while keeping the top smooth and sleek. The front facing, aerodynamic cooling vents are double layered and flow into one another, similar to many of the car’s side paneling.
TEXTURES + CUTOUTS
The helmet incorporates McLaren’s signature Carbon Fibre on the lower level . The double-layered effect inspired by the McLaren Speedtail provides allowance for the buckle strap. The back vent and tail cutout imitate the shape of many of McLaren’s front and rear grills, ensuring to incorporate the iconic car's "faces".
BRAND IDENTITY
DESIGN LANGUAGE
McLaren's form, proportions, colours, and textures were analyzed in depth all throughout our design process for Aeolus. Select features such as long, sweeping lines, sleek top with all the action on the sides, and the well known metaphorical "car face" were must haves.
COLLABORATIVE
IDEATION
As a group, we sketched and brainstormed collaboratively on big pieces of paper. This method allowed the group to work off each other's ideas and come to a consensus for the final concept. From this, we moved to small plasticine models to establish correct proportions.
CLAY MODEL
A clay model of the helmet was sculped fusing Detroit automotive clay. Slight chamfers and undercuts were incorporated to simulate the streamlined, dramatic look and feel of McLaren's brand with shadows. The final details include a carbon fibre imitation along the bottom edge and a custom 3D printed buckle, which was modeled and prototyped in Solidworks.
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MODELLING
PROCESS
To achieve the general shape of the helmet, warm clay was applied onto the head form in thin layers and then subtractive methods were used to reach the desired form. Tape guides were created to smooth each section down to a sleek, sharp surface. The Carbon Fibre imitation along the bottom edge was done by warming up the clay in segments and stamping it with a piece of textured foam.
