AIM Aviation features in the Aircraft Interiors International 2014 Design Showcase. The editorial piece explores the concept of brand and the difficult balancing act between design and functionality.
When communicating brand values to customers, good design is essential.
Well-engineered monuments made from premium materials help convey quality.
The word ‘design’ originates from the Latin designare, which means to mark out, designate, sign.
The design of an aircraft cabin interior aims to do just that: mark out, designate, sign, and in so doing, differentiate. It is this differentiation that enables an airline to apply its own feel and personality to its aircraft. Each aspect of the cabin interior that is unique to its airline subtly communicates that airline’s qualities, standards and character. From the premium monuments to the handles on the overhead luggage bins, the look and feel of the cabin interior will convey a message; and quality is of course vital.
Designing a cabin interior is a difficult balancing act between artistic vision and the more practical aspects, including engineering capabilities, ergonomic requirements and safety standards. Over recent years, new materials have been introduced to the aviation industry. Many of these materials had previously been deemed unsuitable for use in an aircraft due to weight or safety concerns.
New technology has allowed not only for new materials to be used but also for them to be used in ways never thought possible. Premium monuments can now include granite, glass and even concrete. It is not just the new technology itself that is vital, but also the engineering skill to make it work and the vision to imagine the possibilities.
Read the full article here..
