Spoilers USS Discovery (What would you do differently?)

[BoxWhatBox]

So I'm sure most of us have already seen the teaser for the new show. I don't know about you but the ship really doesn't work for me, unless the show involves a Klingon/Federation crew. So I was curious, has anyone started doodling their version of the Discovery? If so, are you willing to share? I'll post my doodles tomorrow when brain is firing on more then one cylinder.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

It's shaped like the Planet Of The Titans Enterprise, but with a Franklin-esque saucer (the concave part).

I thought this series was going to be just before TNG. NCC-1031 would be pre-TOS.

 

[ian128K]

Hard to say what I would do differently, not knowing anything like the mission, time period, or other setting details. I do know one thing, though: I would get rid of that triangular secondary hull in a heartbeat.

 

[Johnny7oak]

it could be a late night tv movie reel, and that is just the hosts viewing ship. Would you disapprove of a mystery science theater version of trek? or what of new content, hosted by someone on the ship, and with more of a Hitchcock presents?

 

[Kaiser]

its actually not the final design according to Trekmovie.com

 

[Mage]

I wouldn't complain so much like some fans, since this was a low quality teaser to serve as title announcement. I would simply sit back and wait untill we see actual footage from the show.

 

[ashleytinger]

I kind of like the preliminary design. It's not too different from some fan designs I've seen over the years or even some of the non-canon source material that's been published. I still remember the shock in my group of friends over the look of the Defiant when it was introduced in Deep Space Nine.

 

[baxart]

I'm not sold on the triangle either... Why didn't they hire Madkoifish?!!

 

[Galileo7]

We have been spoiled by the production designs of the Constitution class, Constitution-Refit class, Excelsior class, Galaxy class, Intrepid class, Sovereign class and even the Prometheus class. Now this class of the Discovery is disappointing.

 

[EnSin]

Okay, I like it.

 

[Adam]

What to do differently?

Start over from scratch with a new design.

And fire the person who though dragging this out of the dustbin was a good idea.

 

[Admiral2]

its actually not the final design according to Trekmovie.com

I read that article.

They had three weeks to come up with something and all the starship designs ever to crib from and this was the best they could do? I'm glad it's not final.

What would I do? Like Adam said...

 

[ancient]

The thing that leaps to mind immediately is the hull color. I'd change that to white or silver.

 

[-SS-]

I agree that it was a Dumb Idea™ to revisit the McQuarrie designs; there's a reason they were only ever used as space debris. That said, I don't totally hate everything about this. I like the fact that it has relatively clean detailing with minimal greebling, much like the original Enterprise, but still looks boxier and more primitive so that it could be much older. Here's what I would change about the current model:

Square off the edge of the saucer rim more to match the sharper angles of the rest of the hull, and remove the parallel rings around the rim
Remove 80% of the windows
Reduce the length of the neck
Keep the central part of the secondary hull, but taper it towards the rear to make it narrower
Change the nacelle pylons from the delta wings to something more discreet, with either a diagonal or cranked front profile, and would attach more forward and underneath the nacelles.
Move impulse engines to the rear of the saucer

I might make a sketch of all that.

 

[Masao]

Designing a ship as a "lead character" of a new show requires that it be striking and resemble no other. The ship must be able to be easily identified and easily drawn by kids (like good flags are). Although we don't know everything about this ship (size, crew, date, mission), I like it so far. At least it's better than Voyager (a fat spoon), NX-01 (the love-child of a P-38 Lightning and USS Akira), and the new movie's Enterprise (a cross between TOS's NCC-1701 and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man).

 

[Finn]

We have been spoiled by the production designs of the Constitution class, Constitution-Refit class, Excelsior class, Galaxy class, Intrepid class, Sovereign class and even the Prometheus class. Now this class of the Discovery is disappointing.

Right. If memory serves me, I think they had an drawing of Voyager/Intrepid class come out late 1994, that was quite different- same overall shape but some differences. I'll see if I can find an image.

 

[cardinal biggles]

I'm keeping an open mind. It's a different design from the ones we've seen, and they still have several months to refine it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I agree that it was a Dumb Idea™ to revisit the McQuarrie designs; there's a reason they were only ever used as space debris. That said, I don't totally hate everything about this. I like the fact that it has relatively clean detailing with minimal greebling, much like the original Enterprise, but still looks boxier and more primitive so that it could be much older. Here's what I would change about the current model:

Square off the edge of the saucer rim more to match the sharper angles of the rest of the hull, and remove the parallel rings around the rim
Remove 80% of the windows
Reduce the length of the neck
Keep the central part of the secondary hull, but taper it towards the rear to make it narrower
Change the nacelle pylons from the delta wings to something more discreet, with either a diagonal or cranked front profile, and would attach more forward and underneath the nacelles.
Move impulse engines to the rear of the saucer

I might make a sketch of all that.

Done right, the design can be quite beautiful

Artwork, drawings and cardboard mock-ups don't always do a design justice.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Here ye go.

 

[-SS-]

Done right, the design can be quite beautiful

Artwork, drawings and cardboard mock-ups don't always do a design justice.

I do remember that, it is one of the better interpretations I've seen. I still just think the general concept of a delta-shaped secondary hull with a circular primary hull is a very awkward clash of shapes. The more I look at the discovery the more it is growing on me, but I still think there is significant room for improvement.

Here ye go.

:X