Hösten 2004 presenterade Thule flera nya produkter som T GUL formgivit på fackmässan "Automekanica" i Tyskland.
Nedan följer ett kort utdrag från den Mässtidningen Designovation som Thule gav ut i samband med mässan.
“We are striving to achieve consistency in our design work,” says Head of Development Jan-Eric Johansson. “This means that we avoid excessively distinctive trendiness – no brightly coloured ventures, no retro and no rococo. Instead we try to keep to a sober and stylish line.” It must be easy to recognise a Thule product. It should be easy to combine with your own lifestyle and with other Thule products.
During the development work, Thule cooperates with a network of design agencies in order to gain different outlooks and new impulses. Industrial designer Örjan Nilsson at the Swedish industrial design agency T GUL views Thule as an extension of the car – a further development of its appearance and functions.
“Thule’s products have to live alongside extremely design-intensive products – cars.” After all, the car purchaser is also buying an identity, a lifestyle, and it is to this that Thule’s products then have to be applied."
The relationship is consequently not entirely uncomplicated. Is it possible to be individual and universal at the same time? “The aim is for Thule to have its own design language. Each individual product has a family identity, an expression that is compatible with the other product lines. A Thule product must be perceived as contemporary and must correspond with the shape of the vehicle.”
Läs Designinnovation nedan.