In our latest ‘5+1’ interview, we had the pleasure of talking to Carolin Schuett, Lead CMF (Colour, Material, and Finish) Designer at MAN Truck. Throughout our interview, Carolin provides valuable insights into her daily routine in her job, the delicate balance between tradition and innovation at MAN, sustainability in product design, staying ahead of technological trends, and her experience as a woman in the automotive industry. Join us as we uncover the multifaceted world of CMF design and gain a deeper understanding of its profound impact on shaping the future of transportation.

1. You are the Lead CMF Designer at MAN Truck. Can you walk us through a typical day in your role?

The dynamic nature of my role ensures that there's no such thing as a typical day. Daily activities vary based on project statuses. Creativity is key, but much of my time involves communication with Sales, Engineering, Marketing, and Purchasing. Currently, we're collaborating with numerous suppliers, reviewing products, and aligning them with our briefings for series development. Sustainability is paramount, balancing function and aesthetics. Management meetings involve preparing everything from CMF mood boards to digital visualisations to present our concepts effectively.

2. MAN Truck & Bus has a rich heritage and a strong brand identity. How do you balance honoring this legacy with introducing new CMF design elements to keep the brand fresh and relevant?

I feel that this heritage that MAN has is extremely valuable and the task of keeping it modern is an exciting challenge. With our vehicles having long lifespans, identifying trends and implementing them in a CMF design that aligns with our brand's vision is crucial. Sustainability plays an important role especially in our new design concepts, influencing several CMF elements, although the specifics remain under wraps.

3. Sustainability is increasingly important in product design. How does your team incorporate sustainable CMF practices into MAN's vehicles, and what challenges do you face in achieving this?

Sustainability is a top priority at MAN, particularly in CO2 savings. We're analysing in CMF how visible design parts can contribute to sustainability without compromising function and durability but instead enhancing the aesthetics. This is sometimes possible through the substitution of more sustainable materials or a reduction to a mono-material that enables circularity in the next step. Challenges include ensuring materials pass automotive tests and verifying CO2 savings throughout the entire process chain. Communicating sustainability to customers is key, and we plan to do so in a smart way and with a certain wink.

4. In an industry that's rapidly evolving with technological advancements, how do you stay ahead of trends and incorporate emerging technologies into your CMF designs at MAN?

Our approach involves known trend research through various channels from trend agencies, CMF Blogs to Instagram. Thanks to an ever-growing network and increased social media reach, many companies are now also proactively approaching us with great innovations.
These companies, which often have a complete overview of what the OEMs in the industry globally are currently developing, are perhaps the most underestimated trend impulse for us and are very valuable.
Collaborating closely with the CMF design departments of all brands within the VW Group provides us with a wealth of insights and keeps us ahead of industry trends.

5. As a woman in the automotive industry, could you share your experience building a career in this field, discuss MAN’s efforts in promoting gender equality and diversity, and give advice to the next generation of women interested in working in the automotive industry?

My journey from childhood passion to my current position involved studying product design and working as a CMF designer at renowned companies as Ford and BMW. MAN is actively promoting gender equality, with initiatives such as a female empowerment campaign on LinkedIn, for which our recruiting has selected 5 women from engineering to provide insights into our various jobs as MAN Corporate influencers. In addition, we have set up regular WoMAN workshops in which MAN female colleagues discuss their needs with female truck drivers and look for solutions together to improve their everyday lives.
My advice to young women is to follow their interests and embrace challenges. Being in a male-dominated industry has been rewarding, and passion and talent should guide career choices. From my own experience, sometimes the first obvious job option might not immediately be the right one. Go where you really feel comfortable, because that's where you can best realise your potential.

And the +1 question from Carolin to you:

“Is it important in your environment to support women, and what ways have you found to implement this?”

Please provide your answers in the comment section below.
Thank you, Carolin, for the insightful and inspiring interview. We sincerely appreciate your valuable input.

To gain further valuable insights from inspiring women in the industry, we encourage you to explore the ‘elle’ section of our magazine.

Pictures: MAN

'5+1' with Carolin Schuett – Lead CMF Designer at MAN Truck