“Car design is in Detroit’s DNA” says Ford designer

Car Design News will be in Detroit next month for a new event that will discuss the designer of the future, with big names from established brands Ford, Stellantis and General Motors joined by new entrants in Lucid, Rivian and Scout.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art and Coventry University in the UK, Paul Wraith began his career with Hyundai in Germany before a stint at Daewoo as interior and exterior lead, based in the UK. Since then he has built a nearly 25-year career with Ford, moving to Dearborn in 2016 and currently leading the design of models such as the new Bronco.

Speaking to Car Design News, Wraith shares his thoughts on fostering creativity, the benefit of a rich design heritage and the excitement behind a new event in Detroit. 

Car Design News: How would you describe the significance of car design in Detroit from a cultural perspective?

Paul Wraith: Huge! This is the home of the car as everyone knows it. Henry Ford introduced the moving production line for the Model T here and Ford Design was founded here way back in 1935.

I can feel that not only in the region’s DNA, but it also resonates throughout the world. Here you’ll find every kind of car imaginable, but with our simple roads, I think there’s a bias towards rolling sculpture. As example, come here in August for the Woodward Dream Cruise, to see the joy of the whole gigantic event - your mind will be blown.

CDN: How are young creatives influencing the way car design is thought about and carried out?

PW: Young creatives have always brought new ideas to the table, but I think great creatives are always young at heart no matter how old they may be. Being curious, experimental and agents for change is what we’re all about - especially in this era. What I love is creating teams comprising less and more experienced designers, designers from different backgrounds - the exchanges ideas, knowledge, technique that follows is so exciting.

CDN: Are you excited to be part of a gathering focused on car design in motor city?

PW: I’m really excited Car Design News is hosting this event in Detroit! Not only is it great to have you here, but it’s across the road from Ford’s current Product Development Center and our phenomenal new design center, which should start to open in 2025. 

I’m sure the event will be a melting pot of like-minds, friendly rivalries, new faces, old friends – but most of all I’m excited to hear others talk about a bright future we’ll all be designing together.