Uwe Bahnsen

Uwe Bahnsen (1930 born in Hamburg † 30 July 2013) studied at the College of Fine Arts in Hamburg, was an accomplished painter and sculptor. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers and International Member of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).

Renown as one of Europe’s most influential automotive designers of the 20th century, Bahsen began his career working for Ford Motors in Europe in 1958. From there he held several positions, becoming vice president for design in the 1980s. He then moved to design education, appointed as the training director at the Art Center College of Design’s European branch in Switzerland in 1986.

Bahnsen was elected to the ICSID Executive Board, in the capacity of treasurer for two terms from 1992-1993 and 1993-1995. He was then elected President from 1995-1997 and continued to remain active as a Senator. Through the 1990s, Icsid continued to develop its role on the international stage, hosting congresses in Slovenia, Scotland, Taiwan, Canada and Australia. Ten Interdesigns were held on themes as broad as design strategies for regional development, transportation for the future and sports and leisure in Europe, Asia and Africa.