Northumbria University degree show 2009

Newcastle and cars: for many, that phrase brings to mind the 1971 British cult gangster movie ‘Get Carter', starring Michael Caine. The city isn't obviously associated with cars and the Trinity Centre car park famously used in the movie is about to be demolished as part of major regeneration work that the city has seen over the last 15 years. Northumbria University's magnificent new School of Design, which opened just two years ago, is a typical example of the exciting architecture now emerging in this city and CDN decided to pay a visit to catch up with this fast-developing UK design school.

Interior Motives China Conference 2010: Day 1

Despite Europe being grounded due to volcanic ash, the third Interior Motives China conference got underway in Beijing with a record number of delegates and speakers – proof, as if it were needed, that this event is now one of the most important in the global car design calendar. This year's theme was 'New brands and the search for a design identity', and among the audience were young Chinese designers keen to learn more about international car design techniques, as well as veteran western designers hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the market they are creating vehicles for.  Session 1: The Market for Design Edward Wong, Director of Transportation Design at China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), set the mood for the conference in his long, flowing 'Chang San' robe (very traditional Chinese attire). He opened the conference and invited panellists to share their views on what China's needs are and explore what makes the market so unique.

Audi TT Offroad shows off at Beijing auto show

Audi introduced the TT Offroad concept at the Beijing motor show last week. The company says it comes with a plug-in hybrid drive system delivering 408 hp total, while getting 123.8 miles per gallon -- impressive, but we're guessing not exactly real world. To get that power, the TT Offroad concept uses the company's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, making 292 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.