Serpent

The PULI team has designed a high speed train inspired by the sleek elegance and enigmatic characteristics of the snake. This design pays homage to the snake's significance in Chinese culture, where it embodies qualities such as wisdom, transformation, and renewal. This is an exercise in bringing together modern forms and design elements to both create a beautiful train design but with the subtle characteristics of a snake. we aimed to give the train a dynamic, modern and organic presence as trains are often described as ‘snaking through a landscape’.

To enhance our creative process, we used artificial intelligence as a collaborative partner. Serving as a tailored inspiration engine, it expanded our creative horizons by streamlining the process of exploring ideas and eliminating the need to sift through countless reference images. It allowed us to mix and match concepts, pre-visualise ideas, and experiment with unconventional design directions. Our designers could quickly narrow down options, dedicating more time to refining details and achieving the best possible outcome, allowing a focus on meticulous detailing to perfect the final design.

Our design emphasises the balance between a modern technological aesthetic and organic forms, leveraging our team’s expertise to transform the snake's fluid lines and sleek contours into a functional, visually captivating train exterior, brought to life through photorealistic rendering techniques. This project exemplifies our commitment to drawing inspiration from the natural world to inform and elevate modern design.