What are the most important automotive design roles for you to know?

If you are interested in pursuing a career in automotive design, you might wonder what are the different roles and responsibilities involved in creating a vehicle from concept to production. Automotive design is a complex and collaborative process that requires a variety of skills and disciplines. In this article, we will introduce you to six of the most important automotive design roles for you to know and what they do.

1 Concept Designer

A concept designer is responsible for creating the initial sketches and renderings of a new vehicle or a redesign of an existing one. They use their artistic and technical skills to explore different ideas, styles, and features that match the brand identity, customer needs, and market trends. They also work closely with other designers, engineers, and marketers to ensure that their concepts are feasible, innovative, and appealing.

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2 Exterior Designer

An exterior designer is responsible for developing the final shape and appearance of a vehicle's body, including its proportions, surfaces, details, and colors. They use computer-aided design (CAD) tools and physical models to refine and test their designs, as well as to communicate them to other stakeholders. They also consider factors such as aerodynamics, safety, ergonomics, and manufacturing costs in their design decisions.

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3 Interior Designer

An interior designer is responsible for designing the cabin and cockpit of a vehicle, including its layout, materials, textures, lighting, and functionality. They aim to create a comfortable, attractive, and user-friendly environment for the driver and passengers, as well as to enhance the vehicle's performance, safety, and identity. They use CAD tools and mock-ups to visualize and evaluate their designs, as well as to collaborate with other designers, engineers, and suppliers.

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Colin Jackson

Leather and Trim Technical Expert
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The one single word missing is Feasibility. It's often where designs fall down or require change. Particularly in Leather, unless you know Leather you should take expert advice on the Feasibility of the design otherwise you may be sorely disappointed with the final result. That or you have a design that costs either additional investment to resolve or Audit demerits due the complexity.

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4 Color and Trim Designer

A color and trim designer is responsible for selecting and applying the colors, materials, finishes, and graphics that define the character and style of a vehicle. They research and analyze the latest trends, customer preferences, and cultural influences to create harmonious and distinctive color and trim schemes. They also work with other designers, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure that their choices are suitable, durable, and consistent.

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Florian Seidl

Design Manager at Lavazza Group
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The role of Colour and Trim Designers is hugely important and reaches far beyond adding some trendy colours. Many design concepts and design decisions are based on specific requirements or characteristics of materials and linked production technologies. Colour and Trim Designers have distinct knowledge and sensibility that is crucial in the creation of solid, creative concepts and bringing them into production.

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5 User Interface Designer

A user interface designer is responsible for designing the digital and physical interfaces that enable the interaction between the vehicle and its users, such as the dashboard, infotainment system, controls, and displays. They use their knowledge of human factors, psychology, and technology to create intuitive, engaging, and accessible interfaces that meet the user's needs, expectations, and preferences. They also use prototyping and testing tools to validate and improve their designs, as well as to coordinate with other designers, engineers, and programmers.

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6 Clay Modeler

A clay modeler is responsible for creating three-dimensional models of a vehicle's exterior and interior using clay and other materials. They use their craftsmanship and attention to detail to translate the designer's sketches and CAD data into realistic and accurate models that can be evaluated and modified. They also use various tools and techniques to sculpt, smooth, polish, and paint the models, as well as to add details and features.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Florian Seidl

Design Manager at Lavazza Group
(edited)
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Automotive Design is an extremely collaborative effort of many different professions and talents. There are also some important roles that are missing in this article - probably because it focuses on "the most important automotive design roles". Other fields or professions that will play an important role in the context of an automotive design studio include design and project management, design research, visualization and storytelling, digital modeling, macro feasibility, model making and prototyping beyond clay modeling (hard modeling, paintshop, etc.)...

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Pablo Ordoñez Baena

Lead Individualization Engineer at Bugatti Rimac | Mechanical Engineer and Industrial Designer | Passionate About Disruptive Product Design and Peak Automotive Engineering
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One of the most overlooked design jobs in the industry from my experience is the assembly developers, they are in charge of designing tools and jigs to ensure the correct construction of the vehicles, they need to have a deep understanding of CAD modeling software, the overall vehicle, as well as different assembly methods to come up with innovative techniques to ensure the overall quality of the vehicles.

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Automotive Design

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What are the most important automotive design roles for you to know?

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3

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1 Concept Designer

2 Exterior Designer

3 Interior Designer

4 Color and Trim Designer

5 User Interface Designer

6 Clay Modeler

7 Here’s what else to consider

Automotive Design

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What are the most important automotive design roles for you to know?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Concept Designer

2 Exterior Designer

3 Interior Designer

4 Color and Trim Designer

5 User Interface Designer

6 Clay Modeler

7 Here’s what else to consider

Automotive Design

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