Mobility is changing – right now! It is not just because the Frankfurt Auto Show IAA just started that we, as people, talk about the way we want to create mobility and use new technology in the future. The truth is: The conscience for rather sustainable solutions is growing immensely, new thinkings and ways of mobility - be that new energies, fewer cars in cities or completely new ways of transportation - are in the heads of customers as well as manufacturers. The latter talk of a turnaround in mobility.

For our iF Design Special we asked experts in automobile design from institutes to manufacturers, what their turn on e-mobility as the major topic related to „cars“ is - and how it affects car design.

Read below what Klaus Bischoff, head of Volkswagen Design, Sam Livingstone of Car Design Research and iF Juror Ronald Ihrig say about new technology and design changes.

“Holistic Design Experience” – Interview Klaus Bischoff

At the IAA Frankfurt, the Volkswagen Group presented their brand new electric mid-range car ID.3, a world premiere. In the course of this, we talked to Klaus Bischoff, head of Volkswagen design, about his view on e-mobility and design in our short interview.

Is e-mobility THE solution?

KB: In the context of our time: of course. It is locally emission-free and sustainable with renewable energy in production and operation. It is also a signal of upbeat. We tackle the problems, we search and find solutions for the individual mobility of the future. That's our chance.

What challenges does e-mobility bring for designers?

KB: The biggest challenge is to find the right expression for a brand in a new age of mobility. Volkswagen starts with a smile into the future. This lightness, which has already been established by the beetle and the VW minibus with it's face without a grille, is our starting point for a new, sustainable mobility.

What are the e-trends? Where is it all heading?

KB: The major developments besides digitization and electrification are sustainability, autonomy and humanity. A product-focused automotive design turns into a human-focused, holistic design experience.

„Normalisation of
E-Mobility“ – Interview with Sam Livingstone

Is E-Mobility THE solution?

SL: No, but it is a fundamental change in the wider mobility landscape that takes us towards lower energy consumption and reduced emissions.

What challenges does e-mobility bring for designers?

SL: The challenge to realize designs that genuinely take the benefits afforded by electric powertrain in their proportions and even core architecture, but also in their semantics that may reflect some of the associated qualities of electrified mobility. However, maybe these are more opportunities than challenges too!

What are the e-trends? Where is it all heading?

SL: Too many to list really; the fundamental one is the ’normalisation’ of e-mobility as it just becomes mobility and thus the way that (from a design perspective) it ceases to be so special, distinct, and appealing to early adopters. But this ’new normal’ will have a different design quality as vehicles such as the Volkswagen ID3 and Porsche Taycan that are debuting at the Frankfurt Auto Show this week illustrate. 

iF Juror and Automotive Design expert Ronald Ihrig

Ronald Ihrig is not only an iF Juror, he is also a frequent commentator on the latest trends from the major international automotive exhibitions. He also organizes the Automotive Designers’ Night in Frankfurt and Paris and he acts as a judge in many international design competitions. In the video below, recorded at the jury session for the iF DESIGN AWARD 2019 in January, we asked him what he believes, designers in his industry are up to right now and what trends are knocking on the door.

Ideas for the Future Car: Professional Concept Vehicles

Professional Concept is one of the most exciting disciplines of the iF DESIGN AWARD. Every year, the jury is stunned by the overtly creative and future-driven designs. Vehicles play a crucial role here: BMW, Hyundai and MAN were honored for their astonishing concept cars this year. Two of them even got the gold status!