With this project I want to share my process from analysis of the company onwards to the generation of a future concept for the BMW brand. Within this process I will try to visualize as many steps as possible, the image below shows an overview of all the steps involved during the process. 

Starting with the analysis of the BMW brand history....

BMW, founded in 1917, started as an aircraft engine manufacturer. After WWI the Versailles treaty refused Germany the right to build airplanes. The R32 was the first motorcycle considered worthy of the name BMW.

 

Although shaft drive wasn't unique in the days the combination with the flat twin cylinders placed outwards was. This resulted in an equal cooling of both cylinders by the airflow.   

In 1928 BMW bought Dixi and started selling the Dixi 3/15 DA1 (Deutsche Ausfuhring), a rebadged Austin Seven. The DA2 however was the first car wearing the BMW logo. 

A graphical evolution of the kidney grill can already be seen throughout the DA series. Some sporty DA models have a more pointy nose, causing the grill to split in two.

The 328 was BMW's first sportscar which participated in several races such as Le Mans and the Mille Miglia were it beated the dominant Alfa Romeo 8c's in 1940 with the Mille Miglia Touring Coupé

1972 BMW 1602 electric
A zero emission BMW 1602 led the way for the marathon runners during the Olympic games held in Munich

1991 BMW E1
 

BMW has experimented with electric vehicles in the past. Starting with the conversion of a BMW 1602 for the Olympic games of 1972 in Munich to drive along with the marathon. In 1991 the E1 was introduced but never made it to production.

 

Then after the economical crisis of 2007 times were right to shape the market towards alternate powered vehicles. BMW Group had a three phase program for Project i

- 2009 Phase 1: Introduction of Mini E field research (Mini brand)

- 2011 Phase 2: Conversion of the 1 series Active E (BMW brand)

- 2013 Phase 3: Introduction of i3 and i8 electric vehicles.

 

Simultaneous with every phase BMW emphasized its intentions with concept cars.

- 2009: Vision Efficient Dynamics

- 2011: i3 concept, i8 concept

 

Early 2011 the public was introduced to the new i-subbrand, this allowed BMW to diverge its formlanguage from their current model line up, clearly expressing the alternate route BMW is going with their i-range.

 

The programs were not only very usefull for the development of the future i3 and i8 but also generated brand appreciation with potential future clients.