‘5+1’ with Volvo’s exterior designer Katharina Sachs

Lately we talked to Gothenburg-based exterior designer Katharina Sachs. For more than three years now she has been working for Volvo. Learn more about her start of career as a technical and clay modeler, what good design means to her, key learnings and challenges in her career at smaller agencies, latest and future trends in exterior design and her experience being a female designer in this still male-dominated automotive industry.

1. You started your career in the automotive industry as a technical and clay modeler at Italdesign Giugiaro. In what way do you still benefit from these experiences today? Is it of advantage to have gained this knowledge for the design process of cars? 

I still benefit a lot from this experience and I’m very glad my journey in the car industry started this way. Understanding the basics of how to work with volumes and constructing surfaces are key elements in order to successfully transfer your design ideas into reality. Thanks to my earlier education I share a good common ground together with both clay and surface modelers to understand problems and find solutions. My background as a technical modeler has influenced my personal style towards a very product design approach. My preferred design direction is one of reality and embracing technical constraints - since I feel that is the most honest way. 

2. Looking back on your career you have worked for several international car brands. What does good design mean to you? 

Volvo is a pretty good example of how powerful design is. After Geely purchased Volvo, the company got the chance to reinterpret their brand completely. Giving Design the power of leadership, Volvo has elevated itself to a competitive premium level next to the established competition. But it isn’t just about aesthetics - good design should bring simplicity in our complex life and make a positive impact in our daily routine. Unfortunately, it feels like some brands are stuck in traditions and don’t realise how big the impact of bold design thinking could be in their products. It’s a way to communicate the company’s vision which should excite customers buying a product, in order to be part of a future-orientated and mindful society. As designers, we are the architects of the future we want to live in. Good design is about pushing boundaries, being honest and human-centric.  

3. In contrast to other car designers you haven’t only worked for OEM’s. You also worked for smaller agencies such as Makkina. Where do you see the difference? What are key learnings and challenges? 

Smaller agencies are very high-paced and fast-living. You need to learn how to adapt very quickly to new projects, form languages and brand strategies. It is very exciting working for such a variety of clients. However, you are not part of the full process in the development of a car, mostly you are focused on the initial sketch phase which is the biggest difference compared to an OEM like Volvo. At Design we are heavily influencing the future strategy of the company, working on conceptual studies and supervising projects until the car rolls out of the factory. I am currently involved in my second production project and I have an exciting journey ahead of me. It's amazing to see how your initial idea grows and starts to take shape with the support of the great minds around you. Being involved in the production process might be the most challenging part and the main difference – but this is where the projects come alive and what keeps me excited every day. 

4. What are the latest innovations in exterior design? Do you think there will be a tremendous change in the next ten years? 

Why cars look like how they do nowadays is strictly driven by technology. But what’s happening if your prerequisites are changing? I'm not sure how far we will reach within the next ten years. But we are about to experience probably the most exciting time in car design history thanks to digitalisation and automatisation. 
Electrification is already influencing exterior design and opens up possibilities for new vehicle architectures. This flexibility in proportions can lead to a re-definition of premium proportions which until now has really been dominated by the classic dash-to-axle approach. Also, aerodynamics is more important than ever and leads design in order to extend range. 
In the future it’s going to be more than just a car which will drive you from A to B. The next generation of mobility is for riders and drivers. It will be more social, more personal and more fun than ever taking a ride in the future. 
There is no manual for what the right product in the future will be. Imagine the whole car industry is standing in front of a blank canvas, we all start from zero and focus on what we actually need in our daily life. It won’t be easy but surely it will be an exciting journey for every one of us! 

5. You are working in a male-dominated branch. What is your impression about it – does dealing and working in a male domain change your way of working and your manner? 

Historically, the automotive industry has been driven by men and for the most part, it is still driven by men. I personally have had very different experiences depending on different countries and culture backgrounds. But the industry is changing dramatically thanks to digitalisation. We are moving away from the stereotypical picture of car design which attracts a lot of inspiring people with diverse backgrounds. Our products are driven by both men and women and so female designers are crucial to the future development of cars. 
Currently, I'm in the lucky position to work in a country and company where you clearly feel gender equality wherever you go. But still being a woman in this branch means you stand out by just simply being a woman. Of course, it is a very demanding and competitive industry and you need to deliver in order to be successful, but I have been always honest and true to myself – and I think that’s what I get the most respect for. 
I'm very happy to meet many powerful and inspiring woman in this industry but equally I honour the men who see us and our potential and work with us to make an impact. I’m the first female exterior designer in our team and in recent years I have experienced a lot of support, respect and trust which made me grow personally as well as professionally, probably more than I could have done in a non male-dominated branch. 
We need diversity in order to produce an attractive product and I’m convinced that we make a difference. I hope that there will be more of us taking this opportunity to be part of the change. 

And the +1 question from Katharina to you: “What would you consider luxurious in the future?”

We are looking forward to your answers.

Pictures 1,2,5: Gaurang Nagre
Pictures 3,4: Lars Lindwall
Interview: Jill Eickholt