Mobility Design Conference

Aileen Barraza - Director CMF Design at Scout Motors

Meet Aileen, a visionary CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) designer with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. A proud alumna of the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Aileen has revolutionized the use of materials in automotive design, introducing innovative applications in previously unexplored areas.

Aileen began her career at Ford Motor Company, where she spent 15 years pushing the boundaries of CMF design, contributing to the brand’s evolution. At Rivian, she led the team through a critical phase, integrating cutting-edge materials into the launch of a new generation of electric vehicles. Her success is rooted in her belief in collaborative teamwork, uniting designers, engineers, and product marketing to turn bold ideas into reality.

Now, as Director of CMF at Scout Motors, Aileen continues to push the limits of sustainability and CMF design, while mentoring the next generation of designers to think boldly and work across disciplines. Aileen is more than just a designer—she’s a leader, a mentor, and a driving force behind the future of automotive design, shaping it through creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

Alexander Christ - Head of Industrial Design at Nuro

Alex is an experienced design leader with a passion for shaping the future of mobility. 

Currently, he is the Head of Industrial Design at Nuro, where he and his team are at the forefront of innovation, working on everything from integrating autonomous vehicle technology into production cars, to conceptualizing groundbreaking robots and identifying novel product categories in mobility design and robotics.  

Prior to Nuro, Alex held key design roles at Audi in Germany, led the Exterior Design Team in China, and worked as Lead Designer for Nio in Munich.

Alexis Icikovics - Founder and Experience Design Director at Beyond

Alexis is the Founder and Experience Design Director of Beyond, an experience studio based in San Francisco dedicated to crafting seamless, impactful digital and product experiences. Beyond specializes in combining visionary design with practical execution across various industries, with a focus on automotive innovation and other sectors. 

With over 20 years of experience in design, Alexis has worked in advanced automotive design studios across the US and Europe, leading cross-functional teams to bring groundbreaking concepts to life. His work spans a diverse array of projects, from concept and production car designs to digital experiences, including motion and interaction design, 3D modeling, and prototyping. At Beyond, Alexis brings this expertise to a wider range of sectors, focusing on creating user-centered, innovative experiences at the intersection of product and digital. 

Andre Franco Luis - Manager Future Design at KIA Design Center America

Electric pioneer, Designer and Entrepreneur started his Design career in Germany at the BMW AG and BMWi, before making the leap of faith over to US embarking on a 12 year Start Up adventure. Working for Tesla, Spacex, Karma and Arrival before returning full circle to the OEM world in 2022 joining KIA to create & lead the Future Design Team in the US.

Andrew Cramb - Account Manager at Race Service

Andrew Cramb is the Host of the Where Are All My Friends Podcast and Co-Founder of Version III Records. With a passion for music, podcasting, and the automotive industry, he showcases his talents as an Account Manager at Race Service and hosts live events like Porsche SXSW and the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.  Andrew's diverse expertise in connecting with guests, supporting emerging artists, and delivering captivating events has solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the automotive industry and broader cultural landscape.

Andrew Moir - Head of Department, Qbranch at Hyundai Design North America

Andrew Moir leads Hyundai Design North America’s Advanced Mobility Department. Previously he was responsible for the interior & exterior design of various production and concept models since he joined the company in 2004.

Moir has led the multiple teams at Hyundai’s California studio. Recently, he was involved in the development of the current Kona and the Ioniq 5 XRT. Other projects include the  Staria Van and the Hyundai Neptune Hydrogen Concept. 

Prior to working for Hyundai, Moir worked for Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design in California and Sindelfingen, Germany, for seven years. In that role, he was responsible for the interior design of the 2007 CL-Class Coupe and the 2010 E-Class Coupe. Moir studied at Coventry University in England & graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit Michigan.

Babette Strousse - Dean, Industrial Design Division at ArtCenter College of Design

As Dean of the Industrial Design Division at ArtCenter College of Design, Babette is responsible for both the Graduate and Undergraduate programs within the Transportation, Industrial Design and Spatial Experience Departments.

Babette’s career provides her with broad design and business experiences and has afforded her the ability to connect the dots between education and industry.  Prior to her role as Dean, Babette taught students in Graduate Transportation Systems, Product Design, Humanities and Sciences and co-taught the collaboration between ACCD UI/UX students and the MBA students from INSEAD.

Babette’s years of industry experience and thought leadership fuel her future facing approach to education, preparing faculty and students to embrace change and prepare for ever evolving industry needs and subsequent career opportunities.

Charles Drueco - Creative Director, Interaction Design at BMW Designworks

Charles is a creative director at BMW Group Designworks, leading teams on design digital solutions and user experiences for brands like BMW, John Deere, and Mercury Marine. With over 25 years of experience, Charles conceptualizes future human experiences, leverages AI and XR in his process, and recently collaborated with The City of Los Angeles on urban mobility solutions.

Chris Adams - Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Superconductor

An Emmy-nominated creative leader, Chris wakes up every day hungry for new ideas and new ways of sharing them with the world.  

In 2019, he co-founded Superconductor with the Russo brothers and Justin Lin in order to blur the lines between advertising and entertainment. Since then he has been bringing together some of the best creative and strategic leaders from the advertising world and partnering them with the writers, directors, producers, and technologists behind many of film and television’s biggest hits.  

In addition to producing award-winning advertising and branded entertainment, Superconductor is a two-time AdAge Small Agency of the Year winner. Prior to Superconductor, he was CCO of Phenomenon, ECD of Saatchi & Saatchi LA and GCD/Global Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day. 

He’s been named to the Adweek Creative 100, spoken at SXSW, and been profiled in numerous advertising and marketing books. 

Christian Eckert - Chief Experience Officer at icon group / icon incar

Christian Eckert is the Chief Experience Officer at icon group, co-leading the world’s leading mobility experience design company from Los Angeles, overseeing both the American and Asian markets. With a future-forward mindset, Christian drives the innovation of next-generation in-car and mobility experiences, combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric design to push the boundaries of what’s next in transportation.

Before joining icon group, Christian built and directed the Digital Product team at Faraday Future, where he developed user-centric mobility solutions for the next generation of transportation. Earlier in his career, he co-led icon incar, establishing it as the premier automotive UX design agency, known for its award-winning projects with some of the world’s top automotive brands. Prior to icon incar, Christian was a Lead Experience Designer at BMW Group.

Craig Callum - Senior Design Manager at Hot Wheels

A car fan from birth I was 5 when I decided I wanted a career drawing cars for a living. After a few years in the full size industry I moved into toys starting with construction toys (LEGO) and finding myself cornered into a very niche role, moved to California and started working at Hot Wheels two years ago. I manage and direct the Die-Cast Design team for Hot Wheels basics, mainline, premium and collectible lines. 

When I am not managing the design team or designing small toy cars I am building classic and vintage cars and motorbikes at home in my garage. I race my 1931 Traditional Hot Rod once a year on the beach in Denmark.

David Fischer - Senior Designer at Joby Aviation

David Fischer has built his career at the intersection of aviation and automotive design across three continents. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design, he worked at Gulfstream Aerospace, Renault, Stile Bertone, Alfa Romeo/Fiat, Geely, and Lotus. Five years ago, David joined Joby Aviation as the first car designer to work directly in the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.

Joby Aviation is a California-based company dedicated to developing quiet, all-electric aircraft that aims to transform how people connect. With noise levels as soft as a conversation and the capability for vertical takeoff and landing, Joby aircraft have the potential to revolutionize transportation while minimizing both acoustic and climate impacts of flight.

Eugen Enns - Head of Exterior at Mercedes Benz Advanced Design North America

Eugen Enns was born in Orsk, Russia, as a Russian-German and immigrated to Germany in 1988. After completing his studies at Pforzheim University, Eugen began his design career with Ford in Cologne in 2008, contributing to production models like the Ford B-Max, Kuga, and Fiesta. A highlight from this time was his role in the design of the Ford Evos Concept, a project that deeply influenced his career. 

In 2015, Eugen made the move to California, where he joined the DCC Audi VW Design Center and worked across the diverse brands within the VW Group Brands. After 1.5 years, he transitioned to Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design in North America. Here, Eugen’s expertise has shaped production models such as the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL AMG 63 and the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz Mini G. Beyond production vehicles, Eugen’s creativity has flourished in concept design. He’s played a pivotal role in creating visionary concept cars like the Vision III, EQ Silver Arrow, Maybach 6 Cabriolet, and Mercedes Project SMNR—a digital concept for a computer game ecosystem. 

Farshad Toomadj - Lead CMF, Material Development, Design at Rivian

With a background in Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, Farshad discovered a passion for innovation and sustainability in material development. He began his career at RISE, a Swedish research institute dedicated to sustainable solutions, and later worked as a materials lead at Volvo Cars.

Now leading advanced development in Rivian’s CMF team, Farshad focuses on early-stage development and fostering close collaboration between OEMs and suppliers to develop smart/innovative/sustainable solutions. He believes in bringing insights from outside the automotive sector to inspire sustainable solutions within it, always striving to make a positive impact through responsible material choices.

Florian Schrey - Account Director Brands & OEM’s at Royal Smit & Zoon

Florian Schrey is Account Director Brands & OEM’s at Royal Smit & Zoon, with the aim to build long-term relationships with Brands and OEM’s in order to help them taking conscious decisions when sourcing leather, made with their sustainable solutions.

Prior to his role as Account Director at Royal Smit & Zoon he has worked the past 21 years for GST SETON AutoLeather, now Pangea Made. He built-up the European Design Center for the Group, led the design teams in all regions. He established relationships with clients worldwide and branded GST SETON as leading and most visionary leather supplier in the automotive industry. His professional career started in the service industry and helped him to become a servant leader.

Parallel to his work he studied 4 years at the BBSHE (Barbara Brennan School of Healing Europe), followed by a 3 year shamanic program. 

Greg Tada - Motorcycle Designer at Piaggio Advanced Design Center

Greg is a seasoned transportation designer with a specialization in motorcycle design, currently working with Piaggio Advanced Design Center. His career began at Suzuki, followed by work with Polaris on the launch of Indian Motorcycles, and later took him to Kawasaki’s headquarters in Akashi, Japan. Drawing from his prior career in software engineering, Greg brings a unique approach to the creative process, blending technical problem-solving with artistic expression. He has developed custom tools to streamline his design work, giving him an edge in both efficiency and innovation. 
 
In addition to leveraging AI, Greg is also writing XR tools and incorporating extended reality into his design process, exploring new ways to bring his creations to life. His work reflects a distinctly Californian sensibility—where tech innovation and creative freedom intersect.

Ian Cartabiano - VP Advanced Design at CALTY Design Research, Inc. (a Toyota company)

As a graduate of Art Center College of Design, Ian Cartabiano joined CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s design studio in Newport Beach, California, where he took part in a variety of high-profile projects, including playing a leading role as Chief Designer of the Lexus LF-LC concept vehicle and Toyota C-HR. After 15 years at CALTY, he spent the next two at Toyota’s Design HQ in Japan, where he designed the exterior of the current Toyota Camry. Then it was back to CALTY in 2015, returning as the Studio Chief Designer where he was Chief Designer and Project Leader on the Toyota Concept I, FT-4X and Lexus LF-1 Limitless. 

In 2018, Toyota took his talents to the French Riviera assigning him to direct ED2 (Toyota Europe Design Development) as President. In the summer of 2022, Ian returned to Calty as Vice President of Advanced Design in Newport beach, CA where he oversaw the Toyota Land Cruiser Sport EV and FT-3e Concepts for the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show.

Jacques Flynn - Senior Director at Mazda Design America

Jacques Flynn is the Senior Director of Mazda Design America, leading all design efforts in North America. A proven leader in automotive design, Flynn has made a major impact on Mazda’s evolution, having served as Lead Exterior Designer (2006-2017) and Brand Style Director (2022-2023). He has led key global launches such as the CX-90 and CX-70 and designed iconic vehicles like the fourth-gen MX-5 and the RT24-P race car.

Flynn’s commitment to pushing design boundaries comes from his ability to distill designs to their purest form, ensuring every detail serves a purpose. His collaborative approach has built strong connections within the design community, driving Mazda's advancements in automotive innovation. Passionate about creating unique value for customers, Flynn is evolving Mazda’s renowned Kodo design language while embracing the dynamic changes of the CASE* era and is excited to guide the brand into the future. 

_{*CASE (Connected, Automated, Shared, and Electric)} 

Jae S. Min - Professor at ArtCenter

Jae Min graduated from ArtCenter College of Design with a degree in Transportation Design with honors in 1994. 
Since then, he was firstly with Audi in both California (Simi Valley, CA) and Germany (Ingolstadt), and eventually served as Chief Designer at Audi Design Center California by 2007, Volkswagen Group Design Center California in 2010 (Santa Monica, CA), then VW Group Future Center California (Belmont, CA) from 2018 to end of 2019. During this time he and his team developed various concept and production vehicles for multiple brands within Volkswagen Group. 

He then joined Samsung Electronics in their HQ Corporate Design Center (CDC henceforth) in Seoul, Korea, as Vice President of Strategy team and Next Experience Design gourp in 2019, then VP of Next Generation Design Group in 2020 and 2021, developing and presenting multitude of concepts including for CES keynote. Relocating back to US, Jae served as a Samsung CDC Advisory board member in 2022. 
 
Jae also has been an instructor at the ArtCenter since 1996 teaching various Design, CAD, Visual communication and Concept Development classes. He currently serves as a professor of undergraduate transportation department. 

James Lee - VP of User Experience & Research at Loyallion

James brings over two decades of design leadership experience across diverse industries, specializing in consumer products and service design. He has served as Head of Design at Lucid Motors, Global Head of UX at GE, and Head of Design & Strategy at Samsung, and has also contributed to early-stage innovations such as Microsoft Xbox, Samsung Galaxy, and wearable devices. Over the past 12 years, James has led globally distributed teams across the UK, India, China, and South Korea, driving customer- and human-centered design while embracing the unique needs of each market. 

With a multicultural background, James has developed a keen approach to understanding and designing for a variety of customer experiences. He is passionate about building high-performing teams, fostering design excellence, and aligning talent with business objectives to create impactful products. James currently advises several stealth startups and teaches aspiring designers at institutions like the Savannah College of Art & Design and Korea University. 

Jessica Pastor Tomas - Design Director of CMF at Lightship

As Design Director of CMF at Lightship, Jessica brings a hands-on background to bridge design and fabrication, advocating for prototyping as a powerful tool to explore, test, and communicate ideas throughout the product development cycle—a philosophy aligned with IDEO’s approach. She holds an MS in Design Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, and a BS in Education from Universidad Camilo Jose Cela, Madrid, with a specialization in Product Design from Rome, Italy, where she immersed herself in the principles of product creation.

With 19 years of professional experience, Jessica’s career spans roles as an industrial designer, prototyper and CMF specialist, including spearheading design at Teague, Ideo, Nio and Aero. 
Her decade as an industrial designer led to significant contributions across lighting, aviation, and automotive design. For the past eight years, she has dedicated herself to CMF design, focusing on color science, sustainable materials, and finishings to enrich spatial perception and elevate user experiences. Her technical expertise complements a deep understanding of how color and materials impact environments, driving innovation and sustainability.

John Edwin Kim - VP of Creative and Design at AC Future

John Edwin Kim is an Industrial / Automotive Designer based in Irvine California, and is currently VP of Creative and Design at AC Future. He is leading the Product Development, Design, and Brand. 

Born and raised In Sydney Australia, he graduated from Hong-Ik University in Seoul, Korea. 

He started his career as a Designer intern for General Motors in 2005.  He joined Kia Motors in 2007 and worked in Advanced Design studio and worked on future concepts, and design strategy for 9 years. From 2016 to 2017, he was the Design Director for Carlex Design in Bielsko Biala, Poland. In 2017 he joined JMC Motors Ltd. / Ford Motor Company, as chief designer and led the Design Center developing global products for Ford. 

His passion for music and sports, led to the establishment of an Online Music Label, as well as consulting on Brand and Design for various franchises and corporations. 

Karl Sanders - 3D Design Manager at GAC Advanced Design LA

Karl Sanders, a Coventry University graduate, has built a strong foundation in 3D design through his experience with various OEMs in England, Sweden, and the US. 

As 3D Design Manager at GAC Design, his role extends well beyond traditional 3D modeling, involving him in a wider range of design activities, which has given him a more holistic perspective. 

Karl has integrated AI tools to streamline the workflow, supporting the development of design briefs and moving projects efficiently from concept to production. His collaborative efforts with the team ensure that every design is both visually compelling and technically feasible.

Kimberly Marte - Founder / Director of CMF at Design Spectrum

Kimberly Marte is an accomplished design professional with a diverse background that spans multiple industries including automotive, architecture, and industrial design. As the Founder and Director of CMF at Design Spectrum she leverages her extensive knowledge to guide and influence design strategies across various sectors. 

With 30 years of experience Kimberly has worked with OEMs such as Honda, Acura, and Nissan where she worked on production CMF projects. In addition to her work with established companies, she was also involved in the early startup phase at Tesla, where she contributed to one of the most innovative brands in the automotive world. 

Beyond her professional work, Kimberly is passionate about education and is a CMF Design Educator at her alma mater, Art Center College of Design. Her academic involvement reflects her commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers and sharing her expertise with aspiring creatives in the field. 

Her work bridges the intersection of design aesthetics and functionality as she uses her ability to blend creativity with practical solutions in the design community. 

Margaux Reynolds - Senior Strategist, Strategic Foresight at BMW Designworks

Margaux believes in the power of design to create a better future. Having worked with some of the most powerful investors on Wall Street and climate scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at Designworks she integrates her diverse experience across business, design, and science to envision new opportunities and drive strategic foresight. 

Matthew Cunningham - President at Cunningham Concept Design

Feature Film Studios, Car Companies, and Product Development Teams, all interested in designing something new, possibly avant-garde, and always exciting, have been collaborating with Matthew for over 20 years on both coasts and several continents to co-author original material which sometimes takes the shape of a concept, a futuristic automobile, or a blockbuster motion picture.

Mollie Engel - Vice President of Design and Development at Shawmut Corporation

After traveling the world working for Ford, GM, and KIA Design America as CMF Manager, Mollie entered the Textile world where she continues to learn how to create impactful, environmentally friendly Automotive Textile products that resonate with consumers. Mollie is head of Global Design and Development at Shawmut Corporation, a 108-year-old textile company that creates Advanced Materials for Automotive Interiors, and Medical, Military, and Filtration applications.

A proud graduate from the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, MI, Mollie is a passionate advocate for design education. In addition to Shawmut Corporation, Mollie is currently serving as an Adjunct Professor of CMF at Laguna College of Art and Design where she is training the next generation of CMF designers through a curriculum that emphasizes sustainable methodologies.

Nicola Danks - Colour and Materials Design Director at Lucid

As CMF Design Director at Lucid Motors, Nicola leads the team that curates the future of materials  for Lucid vehicles and is forging a strategic design method focused around innovation and sustainability. For Lucid Gravity, the post-modern approach taken can be seen by the adoption of RPET textiles with a furniture-inspired mélange effect, and the use of walnut wood in a variety of stains for best utilization of material.

Nicola started her CMF career at JLR as a graduate colours and materials designer, and produced more than 50 design vision models and displays for internal evaluation by senior executives. After winning promotion to first senior and then lead C&M designer, she worked on Defender derivatives as well as playing a role in the new electric Jaguar project. Her work on the Defender helped launch new materials and finishes using the X-Dynamic trim such as the Powdercoat dashboard finish, Robustec printed textile and Kvadrat wool blend textile. Nicola was also responsible for JLR hiring a C&M designer in China during her secondment to Shanghai when she convinced the company of the need to have a local colour and materials specialist there.
 
Before this, Nicola worked at Industrial Design consultancies in the UK after gaining a first class Master of Design degree in industrial product design from Coventry University.

Nikita Bridan - Co-founder of Oilstainlab + Head of Mischief

Born in Ukraine, Raised in Canada, High School Dropout,  College in Italy and California. Working in Design Since 2011.

Oilstainlab was founded in 2019 just before the COVID shutdowns, originally as a design consultancy and eventually transitioning into a boutique manufacturer building cars for an alternative history.

Under Nikita's direction Oilstainlab has left its fingerprints on everything from coffee packaging, consumer electronics, concept cars, marketing, branding and concept work for over 50 clients across 5 continents and continues to annihilate boredom and the status quo.

Phil Saunders - Founder of Saunders Creative, Inc.

Phil Saunders has been designing the future now for over 30 years. Best known for his Iron Man suit designs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Phil got his start as an automotive designer for Nissan Design International in La Jolla, CA. 

He then spent ten years as creative director of celebrated video game developer Presto Studios (Myst 3: Exile) before pursuing his true passion, entertainment design. For the last 23 years, he has been contributing design to major projects such as Star Wars, Tron, Disney Parks and of course, the MCU. On the side, he continues to keep his hands in the practical world through product design projects such as the innovative Republic of Gamers/Acronym RMT-02 laptop collaboration. 

Philip Lunn - CEO of Depix.ai

Philip Lunn is the CEO of Depix.ai, a venture-funded company revolutionizing automotive design visualization through generative AI. With over two decades of industry experience, Philip has consistently pioneered breakthrough technologies, founding multiple successful ventures including Bunkspeed (acquired by Dassault Systemes), where he created HyperShot—now SOLIDWORKS Visualize—the first real-time ray tracing software for product visualization. His innovations include Nurulize (acquired by Sony Pictures) and i2o3d Limited, which served prestigious clients like McLaren. Today, at Depix.ai, Philip leads the development of next-generation AI visualization tools for the automotive industry.

Ray Ng - Director of Brand Experience Design at Scout Motors

Ray is the creative force behind Scout Motors, driving its strategic vision and brand expression from the ground up to the recent launch event. As Head of Brand Experience Design, he oversees everything from brand identity and web design to immersive spaces, visualization, and merchandising, shaping the brand's growth. With a multifaceted skillset and proven track record in the automotive industry, Ray has redefined brand experiences at Canoo and Kia—leading Kia's bold rebrand—and led digital innovation at Hyundai Group and Fantasy Interactive. His career also includes key roles in exterior design for some of GM and Kia’s top-selling vehicles of the 2010s.

Richard Gillespie - Chief of Design Innovation for Studio X Division of Hyundai Motor Group

Rich’s passion for automotive design was sparked by a variety of influences including but not limited to the IMSA Audi 90 GTO, Porsche 928, Mercedes C111, and Lancia Stratos. 

His automotive career began at GM Design in 2000 and continued until 2007.  In 2007 Rich joined Hyundai Motor Group and continues his work there today. For both companies, he had the opportunity to work overseas in their satellite studios.  For GM he spent 3 years in the UK and for Hyundai Motor Group he spent just over 2 years in the Genesis Design Studio in Germany.

He is a firm believer in Hyundai’s vision for the future of mobility and is proud to support this mission through his current role as Chief of Design Innovation for Studio X.

Robert Gelardi - Chief Designer, BRONCO & Global Strategic Design at Ford Motor Company

With over two decades of experience in exterior, interior, component, UX and strategic design, Robert currently leads a global team on Ford’s iconic Bronco, which he helped to recreate. 

Previously, Robert was responsible for Lincoln Interior Design globally across NA and China markets, exterior and interior design for advanced Model-e EV in Irvine, CA, and contributed to many generations of the iconic Mustang.

A southern CA native and self-admitted obsessed car enthusiast, Robert believes the future lies in embracing new digital tools, a symbiotic architectural relationship between exterior, interior, and UX, and coaching the design team toward a clear, concise vision are the critical keys to developing successful personal mobility products in the increasingly competitive global market.

Rod Chong - Chief Creative Officer at Race Service

Rod Chong is a Los Angeles-based Creative Director on a mission to help creatives start or pivot their careers. As a partner at the Race Service creative agency, he’s spearheaded projects for brands like Hot Wheels, ASUS Republic of Gamers, Samsung, Fanatec, and McLaren Automotive. Rod has also led special projects with the Berlin-based label Acronym. He is known as the founder of Speedhunters, connecting car culture, motorsports, and gaming. He spent eight years as a game designer at EA working on the Need for Speed franchise and served as an executive on the Project Cars simulation franchise.

Sasha Selipanov - Founder and CEO at Nilu27

Sasha Selipanov, Founder and CEO of Nilu27, a hypercar startup, and Hardline27, a design and branding agency focused on the automotive industry, has spent over two decades designing for top OEMs. After earning a Transportation Design degree from ArtCenter College of Design, he spent 11 years with the Volkswagen Group, working on projects for VW, Audi, Bugatti, and Lamborghini, culminating in the Lamborghini Huracán. As Head of Exterior Design at Bugatti, he led the development of the Vision GT, Chiron, and 2015 Atlantic. He later joined Genesis as Head of Global Advanced Design, overseeing the Essentia and Mint concepts. In 2019, Sasha became Head of Design at Koenigsegg, responsible for the Gemera and CC850. Since 2022, he has pursued his entrepreneurial and creative ambitions with both Hardline and Nilu.

Safir Bellali - Founder at Aliph / Sr. Industry Advisor at Epic Games

A passionate creative who sits at the intersection of design, technology and education, Safir Bellali’s 25-year experience leading design and digital innovation initiatives spans across multiple brands and industries.

Safir was an early adopter of digital creation technology and carried his experience from the automotive world into the fashion and footwear industry. After spending several years as an automotive engineer and designer, he lead the Digital Innovation efforts for VF Corporation’s portfolio of brands (Vans, Timberland, The North Face and Dickies) where he materialized opportunities offered by digital tools and workflows and helped imagine the future of Product Creation and Brand Experiences.

He now teaches at his Alma Mater, ArtCenter College of Design, consults for Epic Games and LVMH and is working on a moonshot project to bring excellence in design education to the African continent.

An advocate of purposeful and responsible design, Safir believes that our society has an incredible opportunity to harness its collective creativity to tackle the world’s social and humanitarian challenges.

Sophia Park - Sr. Manager, Color, Materials & Finish at Rivian

Sophia Park has a background in textiles and fashion design and holds a Master’s in Color and Materials Design from the College for Creative Studies. She believes that color and materials are essential for creating strong emotional connections between brands and customers.

Sophia played a key role in launching the R1T and R1S show cars at the 2018 LA Auto Show, contributing to both R1 Gen 1 and Gen 2 production. She also helped launch the R2, R3, and R3X show cars in 2024. Currently, she oversees CMF (Color, Material, Finish) design for Rivian, beginning with R2 production and beyond.

By combining her artistic background with automotive design, Sophia explores new opportunities in CMF development. Passionate about sustainability, she ensures each vehicle is visually appealing while supporting the brand’s environmental commitment. Her goal is to foster loyalty through thoughtful design that enhances the customer experience.