In years past, camouflaged prototypes of upcoming automobiles served primarily engineering purposes, but recently, the shrewd use of camouflaged prototypes has helped generate buzz in advance of the model’s market introduction, from YouTube videos that highlight certain features to the distribution of in-house “spy shots.” While the squiggles, wraps, matte panels, and placeholder lights vary in their effectiveness to actually conceal a given vehicle’s design, rarely is the focus on the camo itself. Last week, Land Rover released a short film featuring a prototype of its next-generation Discovery, still covered in camo, though this camouflage was designed by little kids whose parents w0rked on the Discovery’s development team. In place of the typical swirling whirlpools and morphing zebra stripes, the clingy white wrapping paper features dozens of the children’s colorful and imaginative figures. Awwww, right" Not surprisingly, the kids love it once they finally see the real thing. Then they’re strapped inside and treated to a thrill ride over hill and dale, through puddles great and small, their little British giggles making the whole thing even sweeter than crumpets and jam. Basically, the video is three-minute cutegasm.

As a work of art, the kiddie camo is pretty sweet?particularly once it’s covered in mud?but as actual camouflage intended to obscure key design elements, it’s not t...