Calty Design Research, Inc. (a Toyota company)转发了
The future of Lexus is digital and diverse, but it isn't all-electric... At the end of last year, I had the pleasure of joining Lexus in Miami for the third time. As well as experiencing their immersive and collaborative exhibitions at Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami and Alcova, I had the opportunity to chat to chief designer Sellene Lee and general manager of international strategic communications Heather Updegraff about the future of the Lexus. Sellene spoke on how the role of CMF design has evolved during her 14 years at Calty Design Research, Inc. (a Toyota company), notably how they now work alongside UX designers as more digital features are added into cars. She also talked openly about the challenges that come with integrating sustainable materials into cars, whether its performance or perception, and how Lexus is seeking to overcome them. What I found most interesting when talking with Helen about the Lexus brand and portfolio was her explanation of why it all hinges on diversity. So many car brands have put all of their eggs in the EV basket with little consideration for the global market, where not every country has the same infrastructure to cope with such a change. During our conversation, Helen asked: "Is the battery electric where we're headed, or is that unrealistic?", adding that we can achieve lower emissions by having different options. Some areas are no longer designed for cars and favour public transport, which is why Lexus sees itself as a mobility company, not just an automotive company, according to Helen. I thinks its also a great time to mention and celebrate that three of the four designers and executives that I've interviewed from Lexus over the years have been women! According to the Royal College of Art's Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, only 13% of European mobility designers are female, and that percentage falls to approximately 7% for top management positions. I'm sure the situation is similar around the globe, so I'm glad to be able to spotlight the work of some fantastic women in the sector, which will hopefully inspire emerging talent looking to get into automotive design. A huge thank you to both Sellene and Helen for giving very insightful interviews, resulting in this long-read feature for Creative Boom.