Many of you have reacted to the subject of “musical chairs” in the world of design, following the appointment of Karim Habib at Kia (http://lignesauto.fr/?p=13144). Another design team, also international, is being strengthened, that of BMW.
First of all, it is the design offices of BMW i and BMW M that integrate the BMW Design entity. It is interesting to note, if you have read the post on Karim Habib’s appointment at Kia, that BMW i was once managed by Benoît Jacob and BMW M was to be taken over by Pierre Leclercq, before the latter went to Kia ! It’s a small world, isn’t it ?
After this very logical unification, let us talk about people. Domagoj Dukec, who has been responsible for the design of the BMW brand since spring 2019, has reorganized his team under the responsibility of the grand master of the premises, Adrian van Hooydonk (below), Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design : “I am very excited about the future direction of our BMW design studios with Domagoj Dukec at the helm,” he said about the changes. “The structure now in place ensures greater creativity and agility in our design process. The Domagoj team has acquired extensive experience in the studios of the various brands of the BMW Group and our subsidiary Designworks.”
Let’s add an experience at…. Citroën where Domagoj Dukec was seen about ten years ago in the concept car department, notably during the genesis of the Citroën Hypnos, below.
Take the BMW Group design pyramid: Adrian van Hooydonk is responsible for the design of all the group’s brands, BMW, Mini, Rolls Royce and guarantor of the identity of these brands and all that revolves around them. Let’s now zoom in on the BMW brand. Domagoj Dukec is the design director of this brand. He now has a new director of exterior design, Christopher Weil, who is leaving his previous position as head of exterior design at MINI.
Oliver Sieghart below, will take over as BMW’s interior design manager after recently being head of Advanced Design Automotive at Designworks in Los Angeles.
Annette Baumeister, formerly studio manager at Designworks in Shanghai with extensive knowledge of the Chinese market, now heads BMW’s color, materials and finishes department.
Kai Langer, one of the pioneers of progressive design at the origin of BMW i Design, is taking the helm of this very hybrid and electric industry !
Marcus Syring, who has been in this position for three years now, remains at the helm of BMW M Design.
Domagoj Dukec confirms that “design is the key to unlocking the true emotion of a product, especially the one of tomorrow. It provides creative solutions and shapes innovative technologies. With this team of exceptional designers, we have the necessary ingredients for the work in place. Our mission is clear: the design of BMW vehicles and BMW M and BMW i divisions will provide a clear visual signal for future mobility.”
Below, the BMW 4 Series teaser presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show.