Frutiger Aero refers to a design style that was prominent between the mid-2000s and early 2010s. It originated in user interfaces–namely Windows Vista and its Windows Aero architecture–but later influenced various other media, product design and marketing. The term was assigned retrospectively in 2017 by Sofi Xian, and as of the 2020s, has experienced a resurgence as an object of nostalgia.
Frutiger Aero succeeded the Y2K aesthetic, its name derived from the aforementioned Windows Aero design language and the Frutiger font family developed by Adrian Frutiger. Its reflective elements also led it to be known as Web 2.0 Gloss.
The style–though it didn’t have a common name at the height of its influence–was used in many kinds of media like advertising, the seventh-generation video game consoles, architecture, interior design, automotive design.
Frutiger Aero art often features optimistic natural imagery and bright colors–a utopic depiction of a digital future where nature and technology are intertwined. Common nature-themed design motifs include blue skies, lens flares, aurorae, tropical beaches, the sea, forests, and other vistas.
Another distinctive element of the style is skeuomorphism–the visualization of real objects in user interfaces with attributes that mimic their real-world counterparts in how they appear and/or how the user can interact with them. This tactile quality is an essential part of Frutiger Aero.
Frutiger Aero emerged alongside technological developments such as those that enabled Windows Vista to incorporate its ‘glass’ effects and other advanced features at the time.
• Real Wiki page – For deeper research
• Interesting Reddit post – Some cars may not meet the requirements but the aesthetic applies
[Brief]
Focusing on Frutiger Aero’s themes of optimism, nature, exploration, and technological progress, you are assigned the task of designing a vehicle of any kind, suited to navigating and inhabiting its world.
Picture yourself heading into a Frutiger Aero landscape, winding road or city to explore, unwind or simply inhabit it.
[Hard-set_Rules]
Allowed_BodyTypes= ALL ; all automation bodytypes
Allowed_VehicleClasses= ALL ; sports, utility, city, leisure, etc
Design_Type= CONCEPTS ONLY! ; will be lenient as some concepts look more or less like production ready designs
Max_Wheelbase= 2.80m ; ≈110in (visually / not game stats)
Model+Trim_Year= 2003 – 2013
Advanced_Trim_Settings= ALL ALLOWED
Advertisement= REQUIRED ; provide an ad or showcase post
Interior= JUDGED ; interiors will be evaluated—since the inspirations feature a lot of glass or open roof designs—but aren’t required
Engineering= NOT JUDGED
[Judging_Criteria]
Theme_Adherence_priority= HIGH
Concept_priority= HIGH ; overall design as well as the cohesion, purpose and appeal within the setting of the challenge
Detailing_priority= MID
Proportions_priority= LOW
[Compatibility]
Open_Beta= ALLOWED | Stable_Release= ALLOWED
Model and Family names:
TDC3 [BETA or STABLE] - Forum Username
Trim and Variant Names:
Whatever
Submissions OPEN:
28 JUL,2025
Submissions CLOSE:
31 AUG,2025 - 23:59—your local time
No re-submissions!
All submissions must be sent in via forum DMs to @pen15
