Development and Examination of Seat Cover Designs for Domestic Cars in South Korea -Analysis of 2013/14 Heimtextil Trends-

Abstract

By improving quality, the Korean automobile industry has successfully caught up with leading companies through global expansion growth, and it has just entered the preparation stage for a leap. Consequently, automotive exterior and interior design has gained importance, and in particular, car seats are a critical element through which user comfort can be ensured and brand identity can be presented. Hence, this study aimed at providing fundamental information that could be used by the domestic automobile industry for development of new car seat designs for application in the domestic car brands Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors. The data in this study are in accordance with the 2013/14 trend analysis of Heimtextil, and the salient results are as follows. First, for the design of the Hyundai Motor car seat, the concept of the “Geologist” theme was analyzed, and geographical textures, gradations, pearls and stains, and spreading forms were applied as motifs. In terms of color, seal brown, copper, and toasted coconut were determined as the main colors, and pelican, purple heart, Baltic, potent purple, and sodalite blue were found to be secondary colors. These colors are meant to express the wonder of nature, indicating beautiful changes with organic growth and continuous variation. Second, for the design of the Kia Motor car seat, the concept of the ‘Inventor’ theme was analyzed, and geometric shapes and the open plaid pattern were utilized as motifs. Natural and bamboo were selected as the main colors, and blanc de blanc, spay, red orange, regatta, spinach green, and chestnut were the secondary colors. A cubic effect was added to the surface, which was considered challenging and functional and presented a joyful design. The materials were all polyester, and the organization was dobby and jacquard. On the basis of these results, development directions for car seat cover designs were suggested. We expect that these suggestions will be used as fundamental information in the domestic and foreign industries as well as academia for design development of the car interior materials.