'5+1' with Angela Sortino – CMF Innovation Project Manager at DS Automobiles

Today we are coming along with a new ‘5+1’ interview, this time with Angela Sortino – CMF Innovation Project Manager at DS Automobiles.
We are very happy to have her on board. Angela tells us more about her career path in Colour & Materials, her current job at DS Automobiles and what a typical day on her job involves. Besides we will learn more about the colours and materials that are currently in vogue and what we can expect to see in the future. In addition to in Angela gives details about the place that sustainability occupies in CMF at DS Automobiles and her experience of building a career as a woman in the mobility industry.

1. You have had a career in Colour & Materials since 2015, and have held various positions since – why did you choose this particular path? 

Since 2015, I have engaged in various activities in the automotive sector. Initially, as an intern, I primarily worked as a trend forecaster on projects. Later, as a CMF (Colors, Materials, and Finishes) Designer, my responsibilities involved creating showcars and prototypes specifically related to automotive seating.

During my time as a student working on projects, I discovered the aspects that appealed to me the most. One of them was the initial phase of the project, which involved analysing the world around us, the market, people's behavior, their desires, their needs, and the reasons why we should design for them. I believe that laying these foundations is crucial for creating good design. It is no wonder that the designer's favourite saying is "form follows function".

As I progressed, I shifted towards a "user-centered design" approach, and that's when CMF became part of my journey. I have always enjoyed hands-on creation, the tactile experience of materials, and working with finesse and precision. It is also said that when a person sees an object, the brain initially registers its color, followed by its texture (the materials it is composed of), and only then does it distinguish the shape and details.

It became evident to me that combining my affinity for refinement with the importance of designing objects for people who are living a real and normal life was the way to go. I believed it was essential to effectively convey the right message by using colors and materials thoughtfully for the right individuals. The automotive industry appeared to be an immense playground for this purpose.

2. At the moment you are CMF Innovation Project Manager at DS Automobiles. What does a typical day on the job involve? What are some exciting aspects of your job?

Typically, we begin working on a project 5 to 7 years before the vehicle's release. I intervene at the very beginning of the project, in the initial phase, to design the vehicle manifesto – a full size working demonstrator - which represents nothing less than the ideal vision of what this car would be in its most extreme and authentic form.

It is an incredibly exciting part that enriches me both professionally and personally, as it encapsulates a concentrated dose of creativity. During these projects, I am involved in sourcing materials from outside the automotive industry and meeting with suppliers and artisans with whom I couldn’t work if I was dealing with production vehicles.

I then work in cooperation with project managers to develop these new proposals in terms of colors, materials, and finishes, drawing inspiration from non-automotive fields. Our aim is to establish a connection with the engineering teams to preserve these inspirations while adhering to the stringent automotive specifications.

3. Which colours and materials are currently in vogue and what can we expect to see? 

This question is quite broad. I like to say that trends first emerge in the fashion industry, then in furniture, and much later in the automotive industry. Therefore, it depends on the specific field when discussing new popular colors and materials.
It is essential to stay informed about emerging trends to consider how and when to incorporate them into our projects. In the automotive industry, the major common trend among all manufacturers is sustainability. This means we will hear about visually recycled aspects, biocontent, and alternatives to leather.

In terms of colors, we are already seeing a shift towards lighter interiors among the majority of manufacturers, especially with the rise of electrified powertrains. As electric vehicles represent a step towards ecological transition, ecology is associated with purity, which semantically translates to white in the public's perception. 

I also believe that the explosion of leasing will allow customers to be more adventurous with colors they wouldn't have dared to choose if they had to sell their vehicle later. In the coming years, we will likely see more assertive exterior colors and interior decorations, possibly closer to those found in the furniture industry.

As for DS Automobiles, of course, I cannot disclose the CMF strategy we are working on. However, I can affirm that our two pillars are "High Tech" and "High Craft." These terms define the parallel between craftsmanship, artisanal know-how, and advanced technology, particularly in the human-machine interface. The M.i. 21 Manifesto we unveiled at the Révélations exhibition in Paris in early June perfectly illustrates this synthesis.

4. What is the place that sustainability occupies in CMF at DS Automobiles? 

Within the Stellantis group, sustainability is increasingly gaining importance, with the goal of achieving Carbon Net Zero by 2038.
In the CMF departments, it has become one of the key drivers. At DS Automobiles, when we source materials from suppliers, the first question always revolves around recycling or composition. To be honest, most of the time, our usual suppliers no longer offer non-sustainable materials.

We also believe it's important to highlight the history and processes behind the materials. The entire supply chain is significant. Our challenge is to differentiate ourselves from competitors or other brands within the group by maintaining exclusive aspects that can effectively communicate sustainability on their own.

This is what we call Sustain-noble, the combination of durable materials with natural and noble origins. For example, this is reflected in the use of straw marquetry, mother-of-pearl chips, or silk in our concept cars. 

5. How has it been building a career as a woman in the mobility industry?

In the field of CMF, the gender balance is quite even, sometimes even with more women. This is also the case for the Stellantis group, where the diversity of profiles in terms of nationality, culture, and talent strengthens the group.

However, it is true that overall, the automotive industry remains heavily male-dominated. I remember at the beginning of my career, I had to exert extra efforts and resilience to establish myself as a young female designer working with materials and colors in an environment predominantly occupied by men from another generation who considered design as an accessory.

I learned a great deal from these intense exchanges about how to conduct myself and communicate effectively in order to assert my ideas and expertise. Today, thanks to these past experiences, I know that being a woman in the automotive industry embodies strength, courage, resilience, and perseverance, and that we must keep our passion as our primary motivation.

I see progress year after year, and the younger generation of professionals contributes significantly to this positive change. The future looks very promising for all the future “elles”. 

And the +1 question from Angela to you:

"What 'sustainable' features would today's and tomorrow's customers like to see in their vehicles?"

Thank you Angela for doing this insightful ‘5+1’ interview with us. If you want to hear more from the many inspiring women in the industry, check out the ‘5+1’ section of our magazine.

Pictures: Laurent Nivalle