ALL FOR ONE
With the launch of the new studio,
about one-third of NDA's staf of
60 now is dedicated to Infniti.
Most of the new team was already
working on Infniti programs, but
there is an even greater brand
focus now.
"We're building on what we have
with an emphasis on performance
and driver engagement. And there
will be even more diferentiation
from Nissan to come," says Sean
McNamara, senior manager-
product planning for Infniti
Americas.
To complement the NDA veterans,
Infniti Design San Diego also has
made a few new hires in the last
year.
"When we hire someone we want
them to be part of the family,"
Plavetich adds. "It's a really
collaborative space."
There's also spirited competition.
At the onset of a new program,
design teams at each of the four
global studios will develop and
submit exterior/interior proposals.
The winner takes the lead on the
project and brings new vehicles to
fruition.
Each studio has its own person-
ality. Drawing on Europe's long
history for premium goods,
the London team is said to be
particularly strong when it comes
to proportions and the balance
p Alfonso Albaisa was named Infniti's
frst executive design director in 2013. He
had his start with the company in 1988,
at Nissan Design America in San Diego.
AD&P; > December 2015 > FEATURE > Intensifying Design at Infniti > Steve Plumb
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