Research was an integral part of designing this project. As a starting point, research of electric-powered
car history was conducted. I sifted through the Electric Auto Association's recorded history of the electric
car. Understanding the past provides a context to the present and fuel for envisioning the future. Research
of blogs, magazines and websites gave me information on current events. In my interviews, I realized that
an exclusive EV language is not yet developed. I looked into D.I.Y. subculture and popular car culture such
as TV shows and grass roots racing.

I sought out technical experts such as The CarLab, an automobile marketing firm, who offered data about
the car consumer. Rex Parker, an automobile planner with 35 years of experience, offered many insights
on what the consumer wants and what is missing. Interviews with enthusiasts and car designers gave me
an idea of what the ideal aesthetic for the future green sports car might be. Looking at what car companies
are offering and what they are missing provides ammunition towards designing this culture. Lastly, I looked
at technology to help determine what can be adapted to help shape the new culture. I attended meetings
of the Electric Vehicle Association of Southern California. All of the observations, interviews and data gathering inspired the feature articles in ELECTRON.

Looking at history, present day issues, language, subcultures, mainstream culture, the consumer,
aesthetics, the industry and technology all culminated into the articles that make up ELECTRON.
As a design methodology, this research approach and insight gathering can be applied towards any
new technology to examine the current culture, and to help foster a new one.

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©2010 Yee Chan & Art Center College of Design