(April 5, 2011) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (PRNewswire) — The cars we drive in the years to come will be safer, more comfortable, and customizable based on occupant mood and desires. That's according to College for Creative Studies students participating in the Ward's Student Design Competition, which will be featured at the SAE 2011 World Congress on Wednesday, April 13, in Detroit.

Organized by Ward's Automotive Group and the College for Creative Studies (CCS), the competition encourages CCS students to envision a vehicle interior that will meet the needs of a young, green-minded professional in the year 2020.  The contest is sponsored by automotive suppliers International Automotive Components (IAC) and Lear Corporation, with support from SAE International.

"These students offer a refreshing take on the interiors we'll see in the near future," says Drew Winter, Editor-in-Chief of Ward's AutoWorld.  "Auto makers are always looking for perspectives that go well beyond traditional styles and designs. This is a rare opportunity to see ideas from young  people who have not yet run their concepts up a management chain and been told 'no' at several points along the way.  This is unbridled creativity, but with very real, practical applications for production vehicles in the near future."

All design entries will be on display at the SAE World Congress (April 12-14 at Cobo Hall in Detroit) in Ward's booth M-1107.  Finalists will be unveiled during a ceremony at the Ward's booth on April 13 at 4:30 pm. The finalists will then be honored at the Ward's Auto Interiors Conference April 17 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where the grand prize winner will be announced, along with recipients of special awards from IAC and Lear.

The Lear Innovation Award will be bestowed upon the student whose work includes a specific design or technological innovation the judges deem particularly creative and forward-thinking. The IAC EcoBlend Award will go to the student whose design or concept best embraces green mobility, utilizes lightweight renewable/recyclable materials and other earth-friendly innovations.