Kirtish Gaood, an Indian American automotive designer, has won silver in an international design challenge for his innovative emergency response vehicle concept aimed at rapid evacuation during natural disasters.
Kirtish Gaood, an Indian American automotive designer, has secured the second prize in the sixth edition of the International Design Challenge held in Rovaniemi, Finland. His design focuses on an emergency response vehicle (ERV) tailored for the rapid evacuation of individuals during natural disasters, particularly mudslides in Northern India.
This year’s competition attracted around 70 students from eight universities across Finland, Canada, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Participants were tasked with envisioning an innovative vehicle architecture for an ERV that integrates several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as stated by the organizers, BRP Inc., a leader in powersports products, propulsion systems, and boats.
Gaood, a student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, drew inspiration from the challenges posed by mudslides in Northern India. The jury recognized the versatility of his concept, which is named in homage to traditional Sherpas, known for their expertise in navigating difficult terrains.
His design features a minimalist product architecture and a narrow footprint that enhance agility and responsiveness, allowing the vehicle to access damaged areas effectively. This capability is crucial for facilitating the swift evacuation of people to safe zones. Gaood’s project emphasizes the importance of deploying multiple units in critical situations where every second is vital. As the second-place winner, he has been awarded a monetary prize of 3,000 euros.
Endorsed by the World Design Organization, the BRP International Design Challenge provides students with an opportunity to apply their design thinking and creative skills, benefiting from mentorship from both their professors and BRP design professionals.
Gaood has been passionate about automotive design since childhood, having begun sketching vehicles and developing ideas at the age of five. According to his LinkedIn profile, he states, “Mixing the science of production with the art of styling and attention to detail is what design is for me. My goal is to develop a design process that enables me to look at a product as a result of a system, the result of in-depth research and strategy with a human-centric approach.”
Currently, Gaood is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Transportation Design at the College for Creative Studies. He previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Design, Product, and Transportation from Strate School of Design in Bangalore, India.
The recognition of Gaood’s work in this prestigious competition highlights the innovative spirit and potential of young designers in addressing real-world challenges through effective design solutions.
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