Prominent Designers to Discuss Trends and Factors Affecting Car Design of the Future at LA Auto Show

Panel Discussion Part of Inaugural Automobile Designers Conference

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20 -- How are changing consumer attitudes and preferences affecting automobile design? What are designers doing to create functional, stylish and fun vehicles in accordance with new regulations and technologies?

This is just a sample of the type of questions that five distinguished designers will discuss, debate and prognosticate on during the panel discussion at the Los Angeles Auto Show on January 6. The presentation is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers conference that will be held in conjunction with media days at the LA Auto Show.

Never has so much been riding on design than it is now. As engineering and technology among the manufacturers level out, automakers look toward differentiating their brands through distinctive designs. And for most automakers, the cultural influences and lifestyle trends that surround their Southern California design studios play a significant role in shaping their future product lineup.

Yet, what are the factors affecting car design of the future? That's where the probing questions from Art Center College of Design's Geoff Wardle, who will moderate the session, will begin.

The panel is comprised of designers from Southern California studios whose diverse experience will provide journalists and fellow designers with engaging perspectives on the future of automobile design. They are:

   *  Henrik Fisker, executive director, California Advanced Product
      Creation
   *  Verena Kloos, president, BMW Group DesignworksUSA
   *  David Marek, chief designer and senior manager, Honda Research &
      Development
   *  Frank Nuovo, vice president and chief designer, Nokia Design
   *  Freeman Thomas, head of advance product design, Pacifica Design Center

"Designers have, in many instances, become the new face of their respective companies," explains Chuck Pelly, Design Los Angeles conference director and president of The Design Academy. "Once kept behind the veiled doors, they now wield powerful voices within the company and beyond."

  Biographical Information

  Henrik Fisker, California Advanced Product Creation

Henrik Fisker is executive director of the California Advanced Product Creation studio for Ford Motor Company and continues as Aston Martin's design director. Before returning to California, Fisker was the creative director of Ingeni -- Ford's London-based design center. The Aston Martin DB9 is among his latest credits.

Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA

Verena Kloos recently became president of BMW Group DesignworksUSA, where she oversees the company's day-to-day operations and strategic direction. Previously, Kloos was head of the DaimlerChrysler Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy, where she was responsible for advanced interior concepts for Mercedes-Benz.

David Marek, Honda Research & Development

David Marek is chief designer and senior manager of the Auto Design Studio for Honda R&D Americas. Marek joined Honda in 1987 and has been the project leader on multiple programs dating back to the 1994 Accord Wagon and 1997 Acura CL, with the most recent vehicles being the Honda Element and Acura TL show car.

Frank Nuovo, Nokia Design

As vice president and chief designer for Nokia Design, Frank Nuovo is responsible for ongoing development of Nokia's global industrial design and styling efforts. Prior to joining Nokia, Nuovo spent 10 years at BMW Group DesignworksUSA, where he was involved in consumer goods and automobile design.

Freeman Thomas, Pacifica Design Center

Head of advance product design at DaimlerChrysler's Pacifica Design Center, Freeman Thomas is responsible for Pacifica's role in supporting advanced product creation, planning and strategy activities. Before joining DaimlerChrysler in June 1999, he was chief designer at the Volkswagen/Audi Design Center in Simi Valley, Calif.

Geoff Wardle, Art Center College of Design (Moderator)

With a bachelor's degree in Vehicle and Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in automotive design from London's Royal College of Art, Geoff Wardle has spent more than 25 years as a professional designer and a design educator. Over the last 10 years, he has been involved in full-time design education at Art Center College of Design's late European Swiss campus as chair of the Transportation Design Department, and now as a faculty member and acting chair of Transportation Design at Art Center's Pasadena Campus.

About Design Los Angeles

Recognizing the global influence of Southern California as an automotive design center, the Los Angeles Auto Show adopted Design Los Angeles as its theme for the 2005 show. The design theme is envisioned to be the beginning of an ongoing program to establish automobile design as an integral part of the LA Auto Show.

An innovative part of Design Los Angeles is the integration of an automobile designers conference within the show's media days. This is the first conference of its kind to be held at an auto show that provides designers with focused meetings, prominent speakers and discussion topics specifically geared toward automobile designers. Some of these sessions will be open to media, thereby providing journalists with access and interaction with designers.

The Art Center College of Design, located in Pasadena, adds to the region's design influence. It is considered to be one of the leading transportation design schools in the world where many of today's top automobile designers began their career. The LA Auto Show will honor Art Center's achievements and help usher in its 75th year of educating tomorrow's designers with a reception for designers and invited guests on January 6. Many Art Center transportation alumni are expected to attend.

Design Los Angeles is being developed in close collaboration with the design community. Chuck Pelly and Joan Gregor of The Design Academy, Inc., both serve as conference directors. Pelly is an Art Center graduate and former instructor, and is founder and president emeritus of BMW Group DesignworksUSA. Highly regarded throughout the international design field, Pelly has received numerous accolades, including this year's Eyes on Design Lifetime Design Achievement Award.

The Design Academy is working with the auto show's Design Advisory Board in helping establish the framework for the design conference.

  The Design Advisory Board is comprised of:
   *  Chris Chapman, director of automotive design, BMW Group DesignworksUSA
   *  Kevin Hunter, vice president, Calty Design Research
   *  Derek Jenkins, chief designer, VW/Audi Design Center California
   *  David Marek, chief designer, Honda Research and Development
   *  Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai & Kia Design and Technical
      Center
   *  Frank Saucedo, director of design, General Motors' 5350 Industrial
      Concepts