Children, we are regularly reminded, are the future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Or, y'know, give them some crayons and let them design their perfect futuristic Rolls-Royce.
Thought, effort and expression
Rolls-Royce, unsurprisingly, went for option three, there, and instigated a world-wide competition to allow kids to design an imaginative future Roller, which would be turned into a full 3D computer model by Rolls-Royce's design department.
The results? Pretty amazing actually, with everything from flying cars to yachts to and update of the amazing Rolls-powered Bluebird speed record boat. "We are delighted to announce the winners in our Young Designer Competition. The entries that stood out for us were those that showed a real depth of thought, effort and expression, and incorporated lots of different details. The winning entrants didn't just draw 'the nicest car': they created amazing experiences that showed the freedom of their imagination, not hindered by physical, real-world constraints" said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
"The number and diversity of the entries proves once again something we've always believed and lived by within Bespoke Design: that Inspiration is Everywhere. As adults, we're often too quick to stop ourselves pursuing fantastical ideas. At Rolls-Royce, we encourage clients to be bold and creative, unfettered by conventional notions of what they think a car 'should' be like. This competition and the ideas generated reminds us of the incredible power of the question: 'Wouldn't it be great if...?'" said Gavin Hartley, Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Six to 16 years old
The four category winners, who hail from Japan, France, China and Hungary and range in age from six to 16, will each enjoy a chauffeur-driven journey with their best friend in a Rolls-Royce to school. The designs of the winners and three additional Highly Commended entrants have all been transformed into beautiful digitally-rendered illustrations by the Rolls-Royce Design Team, using the same software and processes as they would in a 'real' Rolls-Royce design project.
Entries included designs inspired by (amongst other things) unicorns, turtles, space travel, the Egyptian pyramids, Pablo Picasso and bumble-bees. Many are capable of flying or travelling underwater; the designs also featured a host of clever devices and novel technologies to save labour, provide pleasure and entertainment and benefit humanity and the environment.
Reflecting on the competition, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, "On behalf of myself and everyone at Rolls-Royce, I would like to thank every single Young Designer who entered the competition, and for all the thought, hard work and creativity that went into their designs. There is some amazing talent out there, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of our entrants went on to work as car designers one day - perhaps even at Rolls-Royce."
He concluded, "The most important thing I've learned from this competition is that whatever our circumstances, we have the power to create amazing things, because our imagination is always free to fly. I hope the children who took part will recognise this, too, and that it will be something positive they can take from their pandemic experience."
From Bluebird to intergalactic travel
The winning entries were from Chenyang, age 13, in China, who designed a modern-day take on the Bluebird water-speed record boat (Donald Campbell's original was, of course, powered by a Rolls-Royce jet engine); from Saya, age six, from Japan, who created a road-going Rolls 'capsule' that vacuums up pollution as it goes; from 16-year-old Florian, in France, who designed the 'Turtle' Rolls, which can convert from sea to air to land travel; from 11-year-old Lena in Hungary, who designed the 'Glow' car which shines with rainbow-hued light from inside; while Declan, aged 10, from the UK, was highly commended for his 'Bolt' Rolls-Royce, which if built would be 'the pinnacle of intergalactic space travel.' Also highly commended was Tim, aged nine, from Germany, who's 'Prosperity' design combines car with luxury yacht (and a helipad!); while Alisa, aged six, from Russia, came up with the 'House Of Esperanto' - a Rolls-Royce that combines the best elements of car and house, and which can communicate with any living creature. Apparently, such a useful ability was given to the car by a mysterious bird which has been living in space for millions of years.
And all we can say is that if any car maker is ever likely to offer such an option, it'll definitely be Rolls-Royce.