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| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Chuck Pelly |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California ,United States[1] |
Number of locations | 3 |
Key people |
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Number of employees | 140+ (2019) |
| Parent | BMW |
| Website | www.bmwgroupdesignworks.com |
Designworks is a global creative consultancy owned byBMW and based inSanta Monica, California, United States. Designworks has two further studios, inMunich, Germany andShanghai, China. Established independently in 1972 byChuck Pelly, it became a wholly owned BMW Group subsidiary in 1995, and was instrumental in the design of the BMW XL Sports Activity Vehicle and theBMW 5 Series. Other development projects at Designworks have included the BMW electric car,BMW 8 Series (E31) seat,BMW 3 Series (E46),BMW Z8,BMW 7 Series interior, and BMW 100- and 1200 Touring motorcycles.[1]
The design studio was founded in 1972 by designerCharles Pelly[2] with the name DesignworksUSA (renamed Designworks in 2015). The company began inMalibu Canyon with three designers. Early customers includedHyster and theOtis Elevator Company.[citation needed]
In 1978, the company expanded and moved toVan Nuys, and set up its first sister studio, D2, inDetroit. In 1986, Designworks designed the seats for theBMW 8 Series (E31), which was the company's first involvement with BMW. In the same year, the company moved toAgoura. In 1988, Designworks moved toNewbury Park, and began designing forNokia,[3]Compaq,Siemens[4] andAdidas.[citation needed]
In 1991, BMW acquired a large percentage of the company, and Designworks started its first car exterior design project in 1993 for the 1998BMW 3 Series (E46). In May 1995, BMW purchased the remaining percentage of Designworks. At this time artistDavid Hockney painted anArt Car in the studio. In 1998, Designworks opened a studio inMunich, and in 1999,Henrik Fisker was named president.
In 2001,Adrian van Hooydonk became president. In 2002, Designworks expanded its automotive studio in Newbury Park.
Verena Kloos was president from 2004 to 2009. In January 2006, the company opened a new studio in Singapore, and in 2007 unveiled their new studio wing in Newbury Park. On December 1, 2009, Laurenz Schaffer, formerly director of Designworks's Munich studio, became president. In April 2012, Designworks opened a new studio inShanghai.[5]
From 1 August 2016 Oliver Heilmer was appointed as the new president of Designworks. He remained in the role until 2017, when he moved to Munich to take over responsibility ofMini Design.
Holger Hampf was appointed to the role of president on 1 September 2017.
The current head of Designworks isAnders Warming. Appointed in the role on 1 October 2024,[6] Anders originally joined Designworks in 1997 as an automotive designer and later held roles at BMW Group Design as the head of MINI and Rolls-Royce.
In addition to work for BMW, Designworks has worked with a range of clients, largely in the mobility/transportation andconsumer electronics industries, includingEmbraer,[7]Hewlett Packard,[8]Starbucks,[9]Coca-Cola,[10]Konica Minolta,[11]EVA Air,[12]Pilatus Aircraft,[13]John Deere,[14]Bavaria Yachtbau,[15]ASUS,[16] andSingapore Airlines.[17]
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