The original directive J.J. Abrams gave to designers of the new U.S.S. Enterprise was to make it more of a "hot-rod type of vehicle." So the designers at Industrial Light & Magic explain to SCI FI Wire how they gave it an overall more sweeping line, added motion to some of the devices on the outer hull, and gave it a new paint job using a substance they call "interference paint." This has very tiny mica prisms in it, creating an iridescent effect that changes color depending on the angle it' viewed from. Sounds like a pretty cool rod.
But just in case it still ended up looking a little too much like daddy's ride, the official movie website is displaying what a number of artists came up with when they weren't given any such limiting directives. The gallery includes some very imaginative organic designs, including what looks to be a flying roller skate, and even a Slusho variation.