User:7188dave/Ford Ovoid Design

Ford Ovoid Design

The Ford Ovoid design was a school of design which encompassed the Ford range of vehicles in the 1990s in both European and US markets. The inspiration for the aesthetic was the oval Ford badge. The oval design became manifest in details such as repeating indicators on the sides of vehicles, the interior clock, door handles and most controversially the radiator grille.

The use of the design on the radiator grille proved difficult to apply without succumbing to a 'gapping mouth' appearance on the vehicle. This was seen to its worst effects on the Mk IV Fiesta and the last variant of the Scorpio. In addition, to carry the Ovoid design across three dimensions the wheel arch and bumpers were often given a ‘bulging’ treatment. This had the unintended effect of making the cars appear overweight relative to their processor and competitors.

This design aesthetic was phased out for the new generation of vehicles from the late 1990s with the introduction of the Ford ‘New Edge’ design as first exhibited on the Mk I Focus in 1999 and Mk III Mondeo in 2000.