ENG Automotive Design Summit 2005

Tue, 26 Apr 2005

A sunny Stockholm was the venue for the 3rd Automotive Design Summit organised by European Networking Group (ENG) and this year the event, for the first time, was supported by Car Design News. The summit took place April 18-19 in the stylish Clarion Hotel in the heart of Stockholm, close to the 'Gamla Stan' or old town, and was enjoyed by around sixty delegates from the international automotive design community.

The two-day summit opened with an interesting introduction by Sebastien Rosel, Product Manager from Dassault Systemes on the new Catia V5 software. This was followed by several case study presentations including the following speakers:

- Academy of Art University San Francisco (AAC) - a study of cultural differences in design by Tom Matano, Director, School of Industrial Design
- BMW Group Mini - a look at how the philosophy of Mini design has been developed for today's car, given by Gert Hildebrand, Brand Design Director, Mini Design
- Johnson Controls - a presentation on redefining brand identity through trends, given by Nick Xiromeritis, Manager Future Lab and Advanced Projects
- Skoda - A charming presentation entitled 'Not for the Rich but for the Clever', given by Thomas Ingenlath, Head of Design
- BMW Designworks USA - a look at how designers from outside the car world can help provide a better understanding of the future market trends, presented by Neil Brooker, Vice President

The keynote speech was given by Hans-Dieter Futschik, Design Director, DaimlerChrysler who looked at the total picture of brand identity in the context of Mercedes. On the evening of the first day, attendees were invited to an official reception by the City of Stockholm at the famous City Hall, where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held each year.

The second day consisted of seven presentations including:

- Lotus - a discussion on advancing collaboration between engineering and design, given by Russell Carr, Head of Design, Lotus and Daryl Greig, Senior Vehicle Architect
- Mazda Motor Europe - design development story of the new MX5 sports car, given by Peter Birtwhistle, Chief Designer
- Magna Steyr - the future role of the supplier, presented by Andreas Wolfsgruber, Head of Styling

Ross Lovegrove, Chief Designer of Lovegrove studios, provided the second keynote speech of the summit. Winner of numerous international design awards, his passionate presentation took the delegates on a wide-ranging journey from the Ty Nant waterbottle design, through tube architecture to the beautiful DNA staircase at his studio in London. His views set out to challenge many of the preconceived ideas on design, particularly within the automotive industry, and provided many thought-provoking ideas for delegates at the summit.

A brainstorming session run by Carole Favart, from Toyota, asked the delegates to work in small groups to come up with alternative design features for future-fuel concepts. Not only that, but the groups had to present their designs to the summit for evaluation after thirty minutes sketching. Tough call - but fun!

Throughout the two-day event there were many networking opportunities and time to catch up with old colleagues and friends as well as new associates and business partners. After just three years the ENG Automotive Design Summit has become established as one of the key annual events for designers to meet and exchange views with fellow colleagues on a wide range of relevant topics in a most convivial atmosphere.