All episodes

Lorenzo Oujeili, Exterior Designer at Volkswagen, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into breaking into the car design industry, building a career through internships and persistence, and designing a “Volkswagen for everyone” in the EV era: Volkswagen ID. EVERY1.
In this episode, Lorenzo shares his path from growing up in Emilia-Romagna and falling in love with concept cars, to internships at Pininfarina and McLaren, early supplier work for the VW Group, and eventually joining Volkswagen. We talk about what young designers often underestimate—portfolio realities, iteration, networking, and the resilience it takes to push through rejections.
Lorenzo also takes...

Harm Lagaay, former Head of Design at Porsche, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into one of the most influential design careers in modern automotive history—spanning Porsche’s turnaround years, BMW Technik, and the projects that shaped entire segments.
In this episode, Harm shares how he entered the industry as a self-taught designer, what it was like joining Porsche in the early 70s, and how programs like the 924/928 helped pull the company back from the brink. We talk design management lessons from Ford, the creation of BMW Technik and the Z1, and Harm’s return to Porsche in the...

Dominic “Dom” Najafi, Global Design Director, Cadillac, Former Head of Studio and Exterior Design, GM Advanced Design Europe, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into advanced automotive design, building creative teams from scratch, and how satellite studios can drive change inside a global OEM.
In this episode, Dom shares what it really means to work in an advanced design studio—why GM set up a new team in Royal Leamington Spa, how a small, agile studio contributes a distinct European perspective, and what it takes to deliver a clear design vision (not just “a thousand sketches”). Plus: insights into...

Eduardo Ramírez, Head of Hyundai Design Europe, joins the CDE Podcast to talk about careers in automotive design, customer-centric creativity, and why “fun” and experimentation still matter—especially in an industry being reshaped by electrification.

In this episode, Eduardo traces his journey from the Canary Islands and motorsport culture to studying transportation design at Coventry University and the Royal College of Art. He explains why sketching remains essential, how Hyundai’s European studio balances bold design with real customer needs, and what it means to “not fall in love too soon” with an idea.

We also dive into Hyundai’s flexibility as a...

Tisha Johnson (Slate, ex-Volvo) joins the CDE Podcast to talk about designing a radically affordable car—and why simplicity, usefulness, and real-world constraints can still lead to something genuinely desirable.

In this episode, Tisha traces her passion for automotive design back to childhood in Southern California, reflects on what shaped her approach during her time at Volvo, and explains Slate’s “blank slate” concept: one simple base vehicle, made easier to manufacture, that customers can personalize themselves.

Tisha also shares practical advice for young designers—why exploring broadly, expanding your visual vocabulary, and staying open-minded about your career path can make all the...

Phil Zak, Executive Design Director, Global Chevrolet, joins the CDE Podcast for a deep dive into automotive design careers, creative decision-making, and the evolution of one of the industry's most iconic nameplates: Corvette.

In this episode, Phil shares what it actually takes to become an automotive designer—the difference between the US and the european car market and the skills that matter most. Plus: a deep dive into Corvette, past projects, and where car design is heading next.

Phil reflects on key moments from his career, lessons learned from past projects, and the broader shifts shaping the future of car design....