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Ralph Gilles Anchors a Powerful Lineup at the 2010 AutoWeek Design Forum

DETROIT--The man credited with designing the wildly successful Chrysler 300C sedan, Ralph Gilles, will speak on the subject of Renaissance of Design at the 16th-annual AutoWeek Design Forum.

Gilles, who recently added the role of president and CEO of the Dodge division to his position as senior vice president, product design of Chrysler, anchors the Jan. 14, 2010, event at the College for Creative Studies’ A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in Detroit, Michigan from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The AW Design Forum is a chance for enthusiasts, students and designers to learn about the latest design trends and to network within their field of interest. It also allows attendees to see the North American International Auto Show before the general public.

Rounding out the list of speakers are:

  • Dave Muyres, Agent of Transportation Change, OnGoingTransportation, HuntGreen LLC, NewNorth Center for Design In Business. Muyers will speak to the idea that society is ripe to consider alternative transportation methods for the masses.
  • John Wendl, Content Director, Turn 10 Studios – Developer of the Forza Motorsport video-game franchise. Wendl will speak to the enormously successful Forza Motorsport 3 video-game and its computer-generated image designs.
  • Bruce Campbell, Vice President, Design, Nissan Design America, Inc. Not only is Campbell responsible for new Nissan and Infiniti design coming out of North America, he will speak to designing the company’s new Leaf electric car.
  • Steen Strand, Co-founder, COO and VP of Design, ICON Aircraft. Steen has turned the recreational aircraft industry on its ear with a wild and accessible personal aircraft.

As it is with all AW Design Forums, the Renaissance of Design topic will celebrate design as the ultimate differentiating factor among products, the catalyst of passion and the primary force that drives consumers’ interest and purchase decisions. The event features a continental breakfast, individual morning presentations, design exhibits, networking opportunities, a strolling lunch and afternoon tours of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The AutoWeek Editors’ Choice Awards, presented during the Design Forum, will recognize the 2010 NAIAS Best in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept vehicles.

Advance registration for the half-day program is $150 all inclusive. Deadline for online registration is Tuesday, Jan. 12. Limited on-site registration will be available during the Design Forum at $150 per person.

Johnson Controls is host sponsor of the 2010 AutoWeek Design Forum. The event is also sponsored by Microsoft, Autodesk and the College for Creative Studies, in association with the NAIAS.

Visit autoweek.com/dforum for additional information and to register online. Information is also available by contacting Amie Martz at 313.446.0407 or amartz@autoweek.com.

AutoWeek is America’s timeliest source of consumer car news, information and insight. AW delivers information as a fortnightly automotive-enthusiast publication, via the Internet, over the radio and video airwaves and through social media. It is owned by Crain Communications Inc. AutoWeek is essential to those pursuing automotive passion and remains a must-read for those who live the automotive lifestyle. AW gives readers, viewers and listeners information more often to satisfy their car fix before the other guys even start their engines.