BMW reorganizes design team, Polestar’s Missoni takes over

BMW’s design department has undergone a major overhaul, with several key members being reappointed

It’s hard to pinpoint where BMW’s current design controversy comes from. But if you feel sick every time the Bavarian automaker unveils a new car — a feeling that often turns to existential dread after the reveal — then this news may offer a glimmer of hope. The German automaker has just announced a major shakeup of its design department.

Several senior members of BMW’s design team are about to undergo a major reshuffle. BMW Group Design chief Adrian van Hooydonk will remain in charge, but the various departments under him will undergo larger changes.

Read: BMW design chief promises ‘cleaner’ styling in the future, but sticks with current direction

first, Maximilian Missoni The move brings some fresh blood to BMW’s design team. Missoni is currently listed as head of design for Polestar, a position he has held since 2018.

Award-winning Missoni is credited with creating the stylish design language of the Volvo spin-off brand. The current Polestar products can be said to capture the essence of Scandinavian design while being unique enough to be considered one-of-a-kind. Prior to this, he was Vice President of Exterior Design at Volvo and had a stint at Volkswagen earlier in his career.

at the same time, Domagoj DukeDucock, who currently heads up BMW’s design studio, is in the process of transforming the Rolls-Royce brand under BMW, including Bespoke and Coachbuild. Ducock has stuck with the big grille for BMW. While acknowledging the criticism he and the brand have faced, the BMW design chief likened the current era of BMW design to the Chris Bangle era – controversial at the time but now revered.

Oliver HelmerHeilmer, currently head of design at Mini, will oversee the draft design of future BMW compact and midsize models as well as BMW M. Heilmer has been head of Mini’s design studio since 2017 and has been with the BMW Group for more than two decades. Holger HampfMr. Li, who currently works at the BMW Group Design Center, will take over his position at Mini.

Other changes include:

Anders WarminThe former Rolls-Royce design director will now be responsible for all advanced design topics and the BMW Group Design Studio subsidiary.

Claudia Braun Will lead the newly formed cross-brand colour and materials design department across BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. She has experience from Porsche AG, Daimler AG and Volvo Cars.

BMW said in a statement: “The new organization is focused on the company’s transformation and will continue to be an industry benchmark. For example, color and material design for all brands will be integrated, while the BMW brand team will be divided into two studios and the theme of ‘advanced design’ will be strengthened in the future.”

So, that’s the design team’s redesign. BMW’s approach seems to be, when in doubt, shuffle the cards. If this move results in fewer design choices that make enthusiasts question their life choices, then maybe, just maybe, the Bavarians are on to something. Hopefully the next BMW launch won’t have us searching for a therapist.