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Aeolus
McLaren Road Racing Helmet
Aeolus
McLaren brand extension helmet design project.
Project Overview: The brief for this project was to design a helmet that embodied the brand identity and design language of McLaren Automotive. As a group, we determined that a road racing bicycle helmet would best align with McLaren’s legacy of performance and precision. Drawing inspiration from the distinctive design elements found in McLaren’s supercars, we integrated the brand’s iconic forms, cutouts, venting features, and carbon fiber materials. McLaren’s timeless design and engineering inspired us in the creation of each element in Aeolus. Its race-honed dynamics, extreme-lightweight engineering, and sleek aerodynamics, we believe makes it a seamless road racing companion.
Studio Project: "Brand Extension"
Duration: 4 Weeks
Group: Bronwen Feeney & Talia Melzer
2024
Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, Photography, Solidworks, 3D printing, Clay modeling
Brand Analysis
Our first task was a deep dive into McLaren's brand identity, exploring their design language, history, product portfolio, and company values. This analysis was crucial in developing Aeolus and influenced many of our design choices. We focused on incorporating the long, sweeping lines seen on McLaren's cars into our design, paid close attention to matching proportions, and even gave our helmet a face, inspired by the distinctive feature found in their vehicles.
Ideation
We brainstormed as a group together on large sheets of paper, a collaborative approach that allowed us to build upon each other's ideas and communicate effectively throughout the ideation process. As well as concepts, we sketched McLaren car features that we found visually intriguing, which inspired and influenced are design choices. Next, looking at all the ideas, we selected a few concepts that resonated and excited us. After combining elements from each of these ideas, we moved forward with creating small plasticine models to refine the final form and proportions.
Definitive Design
After creating small-scale prototypes using plasticine and continuously brainstorming features on paper, we ultimately arrived at a final concept. This concept was then translated into orthographic views, which later guided us through the subtractive modeling process with Detroit clay.
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Clay Modeling
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To achieve the general shape of the helmet, warm clay was applied onto the head form in thin layers and then subtractive methods were used to reach the desired form. The main tools used were slicks, loop tools and for the finer details, dentistry tools. The vents were carved by subtracting material down to the head form to accurately represent the helmet’s vent design.
Refining the Model
Slight chamfers and undercuts were incorporated throughout the helmet to simulate the streamlined, dramatic look and feel of the McLaren Automotive brand. Tape guides were created to smooth each section down to a sleek, sharp surface. The Carbon Fibre imitation along the bottom edge was done by warming up the clay in segments and stamping it with a piece of textured foam.
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Buckle 3D Modeling
Our helmet include a custom McLaren 3D printed buckle, which I modeled in Solidworks. Many iterations were made, but we were pleased when we landed on this design with the correct tolerances.
Final Clay Model
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Aerodynamic Cooling Vents
Sleek Form
Carbon Fibre Rim
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Custom McLaren Buckle
Shock Absorption
Comfort
Padding
High Impact
Protection
Helmet Features
Design:
The front facing, aerodynamic cooling vents are double layered and flow into one another, inspired by the side paneling on many of McLarens cars. The helmet also incorporates Carbon Fibre on the lower level, a well known feature of McLaren. The inset under layer is inspired by the McLaren's Speedtail, and provides allowance for the buckle strap.
Material:
The shock absorbent foam that makes up core of the helmet will be made from expanded polystyrene, and the octal pads (silicon pads) at the front will protect from high impact.
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The helmet mimics the bodies of McLaren super cars, designed with the majority of the action on the side and back views while keeping the top smooth and sleek. The back vent and tail cutout imitate the shape of many of McLaren’s back and front grills.
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Final Design
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