CDE Podcast

CDE Podcast #006 - Lorenzo Oujeili

Lorenzo Oujeili, Exterior Designer at Volkswagen, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into breaking into the car design industry, building a career through internships and persistence, and designing a “Volkswagen for everyone” in the EV era: Volkswagen ID. EVERY1. In this episode, Lorenzo shares his path from growing up in Emilia-Romagna and falling in love with concept cars, to internships at Pininfarina and McLaren, early supplier work for the VW Group, and eventually joining Volkswagen. We talk about what young designers often underestimate—portfolio realities, iteration, networking, and the resilience it takes to push through rejections. Lorenzo also takes us inside the ID. EVERY1 design brief: how to create an affordable, compact, highly usable car that still feels unmistakably VW—without becoming retro. We discuss subtle heritage cues, the importance of stance and proportions, and how designing for cost and simplicity must start from day one. Topics covered: • Breaking into automotive design (internships, early roles, persistence) • Portfolio, iteration, and networking realities • From concept car fascination to production thinking • Volkswagen ID. EVERY1: design brief, affordability, and usability • Heritage cues without retro design • EV packaging myths vs. real constraints (cooling, crash, stance) • Advice for young designers: be stubborn, be passionate, keep going Guest: Lorenzo Oujeili — Exterior Designer, Volkswagen Links & Resources: Car Design Event (CDE): https://cardesignevent.com/ [https://cardesignevent.com/] Listen to the podcast: https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/ [https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/] Follow CDE for updates and upcoming conversations with leading voices in automotive design.

CDE Podcast #005 - Harm Lagaay

Harm Lagaay, former Head of Design at Porsche, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into one of the most influential design careers in modern automotive history—spanning Porsche’s turnaround years, BMW Technik, and the projects that shaped entire segments. In this episode, Harm shares how he entered the industry as a self-taught designer, what it was like joining Porsche in the early 70s, and how programs like the 924/928 helped pull the company back from the brink. We talk design management lessons from Ford, the creation of BMW Technik and the Z1, and Harm’s return to Porsche in the late 80s—right as the brand faced another crisis. Harm reflects on the strategic and creative decisions behind the 993, the Boxster/996 pairing (including radical parts-sharing), the impact of the 1993 Detroit show car reveal, the origins of the Cayenne, and how projects like the Carrera GT became possible once Porsche regained profitability. Topics covered: • Breaking into car design (self-taught vs. schools today) • Porsche turnaround: 924/928 and cost-efficient design • Design process & management (Ford lessons) • BMW Technik and the Z1 innovation mindset • Boxster/996 development + parts sharing strategy • Detroit 1993: the show car that reset Porsche’s direction • Cayenne, Carrera GT, and building new model lines • Advice for young designers: hunger, talent development, brand DNA Guest: Harm Lagaay — Former Head of Design, Porsche AG Links & Resources: Car Design Event (CDE): https://cardesignevent.com/ [https://cardesignevent.com/] Listen to the podcast: https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/ [https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/] Follow CDE for updates and upcoming conversations with leading voices in automotive design.

CDE Podcast #004 - Dominic Najafi

Dominic “Dom” Najafi, Global Design Director, Cadillac Former Head of Studio and Exterior Design, GM Advanced Design Europe, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into advanced automotive design, building creative teams from scratch, and how satellite studios can drive change inside a global OEM. In this episode, Dom shares what it really means to work in an advanced design studio—why GM set up a new team in Royal Leamington Spa, how a small, agile studio contributes a distinct European perspective, and what it takes to deliver a clear design vision (not just “a thousand sketches”). Plus: insights into the team’s first headline project — a Corvette hypercar concept — and how they approach future-facing design without drifting into “contrived futurism.” Dom reflects on key moments from his career (Bentley, JLR), lessons from mentors and clay-model craft, and how tools like AI can support — but never replace — human creativity and judgment. Topics covered: • Careers in automotive & advanced design • Building a design studio and culture from zero • What satellite studios add vs. HQ design • Corvette concept development: vision, storytelling, execution • AI in design: practical integration + ethics • Portfolio advice: showing “sparks of thinking” and originality Guest: Dominic Najafi — Head of Studio & Exterior Design, GM Advanced Design UK Links & Resources: Car Design Event (CDE): https://cardesignevent.com/ [https://cardesignevent.com/] Listen to the podcast: https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/ [https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/] Follow CDE for updates and upcoming conversations with leading voices in automotive design.

CDE Podcast #003 - Eduardo Ramírez

Eduardo Ramírez, Head of Hyundai Design Europe, joins the CDE Podcast to talk about careers in automotive design, customer-centric creativity, and why “fun” and experimentation still matter—especially in an industry being reshaped by electrification. In this episode, Eduardo traces his journey from the Canary Islands and motorsport culture to studying transportation design at Coventry University and the Royal College of Art. He explains why sketching remains essential, how Hyundai’s European studio balances bold design with real customer needs, and what it means to “not fall in love too soon” with an idea. We also dive into Hyundai’s flexibility as a brand, the Instaroid project as a catalyst for internal creativity, and the challenge of designing across EV, hybrid, and hydrogen platforms—plus Eduardo’s key advice for young designers entering the industry. Topics covered: • Breaking into automotive design (education, sketching, mindset) • Customer-centric design and understanding latent needs • Hyundai’s design culture in Europe: boldness and flexibility • Instaroid and the value of playful internal projects • Designing across EV, hybrid, and hydrogen technologies • Advice for young designers: keep learning and enjoy the work Guest: Eduardo Ramírez — Head of Hyundai Design Europe Links & Resources: Car Design Event (CDE): https://cardesignevent.com/ [https://cardesignevent.com/] Listen to the podcast: https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/ [https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/] Follow CDE for updates and upcoming conversations with leading voices in automotive design.

CDE Podcast #002 - Tisha Johnson

Tisha Johnson (Slate, ex-Volvo) joins the CDE Podcast to talk about designing a radically affordable car—and why simplicity, usefulness, and real-world constraints can still lead to something genuinely desirable. In this episode, Tisha traces her passion for automotive design back to childhood in Southern California, reflects on what shaped her approach during her time at Volvo, and explains Slate’s “blank slate” concept: one simple base vehicle, made easier to manufacture, that customers can personalize themselves. Tisha also shares practical advice for young designers—why exploring broadly, expanding your visual vocabulary, and staying open-minded about your career path can make all the difference. Topics covered: • Designing radically affordable mobility • Essentialism: simplicity without losing desirability • Personalization at scale (“blank slate” concept) • Simplifying manufacturing and reducing complexity • Career advice for aspiring designers Guest: Tisha Johnson — Slate (ex-Volvo) Links & Resources: Car Design Event (CDE): https://cardesignevent.com/ [https://cardesignevent.com/] Listen to the podcast: https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/ [https://cde-podcast.podigee.io/] Follow CDE for updates and upcoming conversations with leading voices in automotive design.