MF Exclusive: Inside Look at the New Official MINI Design Book
The 50th anniversary of the brand offers a great opportunity to look back at a story of not only the new MINI but its design. So the fine folks at MINI Design and Professor Othmar Wickenheiser have spent their spare time creating the ultimate coffee table book dedicated to new MINI design. It’s a fascinating look covering the current MINI model range and the recent MINI concept cars.
Through 408 pages with 1200 exclusive illustrations and photographs, the books follows the whole design process from design theory and ideation, to sketches and model building. However there is on caveat for our non-German speaking audience (most of you). You guessed it, it’s written in German. However I have to say that the pictures, the sketches and the notes (some in English) tell most of the story. It’s a truly defining look into the world of MINI design and the ideas behind the little cars we all love.
As someone who has read all the books (in English) dedicated to the new MINI (including one that has a chapter on yours truly) I have to say hands down, this is my new favorite out there. The sketches and images are riveting to anyone who either loves design, the MINI or simply interesting visual stories.
The book also includes:
– “Between friends†shows automotive designers with their sketches and future visions of MINI.
– Interviews with key contributors to the MINI story add fascinating perspectives to the ongoing development of the brand, for example, design engineer Alex Moulton recalls his experience working on the engineering of the original design.
– Head of BMW Group Design Adrian van Hooydonk discusses design and education at BMW Group and the conception of the landmark MINI ACV 30 Concept Vehicle.
– Guest author Jeroen Booij describes MINI´s little-known coupe history and the recently revealed spiritual successor, the MINI Concept Coupe.
– Prof. Dr. Sommerlatte provides a fascinating insight in to the complex interaction between design and innovation within the constantly evolving marketplace.
– Christy Campbell recounts his experience of uniting Alex Moulton, members of the original design team, with current chief of MINI Design Gert Hildebrand at the Royal College of Art in London.
– Renowned automotive journalists Malte Jürgens and Bernd Ostmann interview head of MINI Design Gert Hildebrand about his perceptions of the MINI family and views on design.
The book comes in the form of a 300 mm x 300 mm hardbound book with slip cover. As mentioned above it’s written mostly in German with some contributions in English. There are 1150 images and 408 page on art print paper both coated and uncoated with a few pages of transparent overlays thrown in for god measure.
The book is for sale at Amazon.de for €98.00. However we’re going to tell you how to get it much much cheaper in a MotoringFile contest later this week. Until then we’ll be running several days of sneak peaks of the book to wet your appetite.
<p>Very cool, I want this book!</p>
<p>Will need to add this to my library soon!</p>
<p>I WANT ONE!</p>
<p>I want one too! Will have to remember and possibly add it on my amazon wish list!</p>
<p>I remember seeing this on MINIspace.com hoping that it might be coming to the US in English. I would still love to get a copy to add to my collection.</p>
<p>We are going to reinterpret this book as well as the 5er Gran Turismo book to English later in the year.</p>
<p>Very cool indeed. I think I will stick to the Mini book HERR26. While the 5GT interior is out of this world for design the rest of the car leaves me ice cold, still waiting to see it in person on Micheal’s recommendation before sealing my final judgment however.</p>
<p>Will be ordering one of the Mini Design book soon!</p>
<p>I found the book (in German) at powells.com in Portland OR for $142, using the ISBN 978-3-613-03123-4.</p>
<p>We’ll have more on if and when this will be available in English in the next day or so.</p>
<p>Good news Gabe, thanks</p>
<p>Ooooooooooooh.</p>
<p>Very cool and looks substantive in its discussion of design theories as applied to our favourite little car! I’ll be putting an English translation version on this year’s Xmas wish list! :)</p>
<p>Very cool. Especially the picture that shows the timeline with the various models. From the way some people talk Mini never had anything besides the 1 basic small car. Definitely makes me feel that the new Crossover is keeping in tradition of the company.</p>
<p>I am very excited to hear details about this contest, Gabe!! I can’t wait to add this lovely book to my collection!</p>
<p>cool book. must have one.</p>
<p>I will be buying this book as soon as the english version is published.</p>
<p>Shucks, too bad they did not design the book with parallel German and English text on each page from the get go.</p>