Gravity Sketch x Ford Design challenge winners

In constant preparation for the future of design, Ford fosters a culture of experimentation and learning; teams are encouraged to explore new tools, share their findings, and integrate them into their workflows. This approach has led to Gravity Sketch being adopted as part of their design process, with an emphasis of improving the communication of design intent and feedback.

This mindset, alongside their enthusiasm and support for the next generation of design talent, made Ford the perfect partner for setting the community an exciting challenge for September and October 2024. Up for grabs was a design review with Chief Designers Paul Wraith and Filip Krnja, as well as a Quest 3.

The brief

Emergency services deserve the best and most innovative vehicles for the job. The challenge was to design a fast response Ford Pro vehicle for the emergency services.

Whether based on a van, pick-up, or chassis cab, entrants were encouraged to think beyond the traditional fire engines, police cars and ambulances, to create additional vehicles to complement them.

Entrants could use Gravity Sketch wherever it made sense to in the workflow, alongside additional tools that communicated the story behind their designs with clarity.

The winning designs

Winners were selected by a panel of Ford design experts:

Michael Smith: Design Technology R&D Manager
Paul Wraith: Chief Designer, Electric Vehicle Programs
Filip Krnja: Chief Designer, Europe

The judges took into consideration creativity, overall quality of work, interpretation of the brief, and the execution of Gravity Sketch in their workflows. They were so impressed with the standard of entries, they selected three prize winners, as well as a number of runners up.

Escort - Pepe Padilla

“Emergency Speed Central Operation Remote Tactics is a concept of a remotely assisted vehicle equipped with the most advanced technologies that will support and assist all emergency services based on user needs.

Its main feature is its ability to arrive well before professional services to provide initial assistance or intervene in a timely manner.”

All-terrain rescue vehicle - Arthur Dominot

“Whatever the country, emergency services need to provide the fastest and most efficient response possible. To do this, not only their numbers are crucial, but also the equipment they have.

This is particularly true in the mountain environment, where the terrain is prone to accidents and makes first aid intervention particularly difficult. The brainchild of a firefighter and a designer, this all-terrain intermediate vehicle could save a great many lives. How could it do this? By intervening in all non-vital emergencies, such as a broken ankle, so that the helicopter team can concentrate on vital emergencies, which they are currently unable to deal with in time.

Simple, robust and versatile, this all-terrain vehicle would be as fast and more comfortable than the few quads sometimes used, and much less costly and dangerous than a helicopter. Designed to carry two first-aiders and a stretcher for the patient, the architecture and dimensions are optimized to meet the need: a high driver’s station for visibility, components in a low center of gravity, and large openings for easy entry and exit. The vehicle has also been designed to provide the best possible care, with a removable stretcher on the side of the vehicle, located next to the caregivers to look after the patient even during the transfer.”