The BMW brand has always been distinguished by its sophisticated design. What do the creators draw inspiration from? We are talking about this with the chief exterior designer Karim Habib, a Lebanese man who grew up in Canada, lives in Germany, and the author of the modern look of the BMW 7 Series.
Karim Habib
- It is definitely impossible to answer the question. In the work of an automotive designer, much has been inspired by technology. For example, aerodynamics inspire me. The turbulence that occurs when air breaks off a car’s body has generated many stories. The technique suggests other design decisions.
In addition, the designer as a sponge absorbs everything interesting that happens in life around him. These are elements of architecture and industrial design. We are trying to spy on what designers from other areas offer. For example, we send designers to a Milan furniture exhibition to catch the taste of home decor.
- The radiator grille is the hallmark of the brand, it really doesn’t have to be invented …
“Not at all, not all the time.” Two "nostrils" remain, but they are constantly changing in proportions, becoming higher, wider, more or less round, the shape of the lamellae change.
BMW
- What besides this makes you see a BMW brand car in front of you, and not some other?
- Proportions. They determine the brand. Therefore, we work very carefully on proportions. For example, BMW should have very small front and rear overhangs, large wheels should be almost at the corners of the rectangle. It is these proportions that give strength and dynamism. And this applies to both traditional cars and crossovers. I am impressed by the fact that the company's designers put sportiness at the forefront of the created cars. This is how these machines behave, fast and precise in control. I admire the brand's ability to go beyond its capabilities.
- About the appearance of BMW cars you can hear that they look aggressive. Do you yourself have such a trait?
- In me personally there is not a drop of aggressiveness. But, for example, in the M series cars it is present, because the task was set. However, I would prefer the term "concentration." This is the gaze of a runner at short distances, looking forward, aimed at the result. Aggressiveness has a negative connotation, so for me there are concepts of “determination”, “concentration”.
