Airstream Partners With CCAD Mindmarket To Prototype Mobile Living/office Space

COLUMBUS, OH--Feb. 10, 2014: Teams of students from Columbus College of Art & Design presented Airstream leaders with initial target market recommendations for a new mobile living and office space that will be built out as a full prototype by end of the semester.

"Airstream chose the CCAD MindMarket to create a new product concept because we value the perspective of millennials, who are our future customers," said Bob Wheeler, president and chief executive officer of Airstream. "Having a leading art and design college just an hour away from our facility is exciting for our product development efforts and allows us to bring students to the factory throughout the process so they understand the manufacturing implications of their design choices."

After this week's presentation of the target markets for the product, student designers will deliver the final concepts and mechanical specifications on March 7 for Airstream to fabricate the silver shell. By May, students will build out a prototype for Airstream to evaluate for final production.

"We created the MindMarket to unleash the power of our students' creativity and fresh ideas for client companies and organizations," said Dennison W. Griffith, president of CCAD. "Working with an iconic brand such as Airstream – with its deep appreciation for design – is an incredible learning opportunity for our students as we prepare them to take their skills into the work world."

Industrial and Interior Design majors are creating the initial concepts, with Advertising & Graphic Design majors and Illustration students collaborating on the sales campaign for the product. Cinematic Arts students will create a documentary of the project, while Animation and Photography students document the project and support the promotional campaigns. Fashion Design majors will create a line of Airstream branded sportswear for the target buyers. Fine Arts students will create many of the interior décor elements.