- Oliver Samson appointed Head of Kia Design Middle Europe
- Seungmo Lim appointed Head of Kia Design Middle China
- Bulletins underscore Kia’s dedication to impactful design and ‘Motion That Conjures up’
- Designers to work with Head of Kia World Design, EVP Karim Habib, on worldwide implementation of award-winning ‘Opposites United’ philosophy
Kia Company has introduced the appointment of recent Senior Chief Designers Oliver Samson and Seungmo Lim as respective heads of its Europe and China Design Facilities, efficient 1st of April.
With a wealth of expertise drawn from tenures at a few of the world’s most recognizable automotive manufacturers, the arrivals reinforce Kia’s dedication to impactful design and the proliferation of its ‘Opposites United’ philosophy.
The brand new roles will see Samson and Lim lead their groups in collaborating and competing with the model’s different globally positioned regional Design Facilities to develop the subsequent technology of Kia designs, ideas, supplies, and fashions. This work is essential in supporting the model’s major design hub in Namyang, Korea, which undertakes all facets of automobile design from planning and conceptualization to styling, modelling, colour, and materials growth.
Talking on the announcement of the appointments, Government Vice President and Head of Kia World Design, Karim Habib, mentioned: “I’m extremely excited to welcome Seungmo and Oliver to their new management positions throughout the Kia Design staff. By uniting a various staff of proficient people with distinctive views, we are able to really embody the philosophy behind Opposites United, higher permitting us to ship really inspirational and impactful design.”
After starting his profession as an Exterior Designer on the Hyundai & Kia Motor European Design Middle, Oliver Samson returns to the model from his position as Head of Innovation Design Platform on the Changan European Design Middle in Italy. Having moreover held the place of Exterior Design Director at NIO and spent over a decade throughout the Mercedes-Benz Superior Design Workforce, his arrival will additional strengthen Kia’s already influential Design Middle in Europe.
“I’m very completely satisfied to have the chance to hitch the Kia Design staff right here in Europe throughout a time of serious transformation within the business. I’ve at all times admired Kia for its proficient and forward-thinking international design staff,” mentioned Samson. “Now, I’m thrilled and honored to turn into a part of this staff, to share my perspective and contribute to this fascinating model. Most of all, I actually stay up for working alongside its proficient creatives and leaders with the intention to develop Kia‘s design additional, collectively.”
Arriving from a place as Vice Head of Innovation Design for Geely Car, and with over a decade of expertise inside BMW’s Munich design division, Seungmo Lim is a recipient of honors together with the iF Design Award and a gold German Design Award. With Bachelor’s and Grasp’s levels in Transportation Design, his distinctive perspective shall be invaluable to Kia Design Middle China because the model continues its transition to changing into a Sustainable Mobility Options Supplier.
“It’s a nice honor to hitch Kia Design at a time when the business is going through many dynamic modifications and challenges. Along with a inventive and proficient staff, we are going to attempt to reinforce Kia’s design competitiveness by incorporating future values into its progressive design philosophy. By means of this course of, we hope to contribute to the continued essential position of the Kia China Design Middle.” mentioned Lim.
Taking inspiration from the contrasts present in nature and humanity, Opposites United seeks to seek out synergies via seemingly opposing ideas. Primarily based on 5 key design pillars – Daring for Nature, Pleasure for Motive, Energy to Progress, Expertise for Life, and Stress for Serenity – the award-winning philosophy will be clearly seen at work within the Kia EV6 and EV9, and can inform the entire model’s future merchandise.
The appointments of Samson and Lim reveal Kia’s perception that Opposites United shouldn’t be utilized solely to the ultimate types of its autos, however to the processes and folks which create them too. By uniting the contrasting views, experiences, beliefs, and opinions of its worldwide staff of design pioneers, the model goals to create merchandise with common relevance and enchantment.
