Designers

Sue Magnusson on her time at Lucid and carving a career in CMF

By 2023-01-26T16:03:00

Sue Magnusson Lucid2023-01-26 at 15.54.00

Car Design News caught up with Lucid’s head of CMF, Sue Magnusson, to discuss her career and how this field of car design has evolved 

Sue Magnusson ventured into the world of design slightly later than most. Never intending to find herself working in any facet of design full stop, Magnusson began the transition in her early thirties – and in her words was something of a late bloomer compared to her eventual peers.

From night classes in interior design and architecture; a stint at Designworks/USA – now part of the BMW Design Group – and then the Design Center California, working across various Volkswagen and Audi models, she soon found her niche into the automotive space.

A “beautiful accident” that she describes as winning the lottery eventually led to senior positions at some of the automotive industry’s biggest names, most recently at EV start-up Lucid. She joined in 2015 thanks to a call from one of her former colleagues – VP of design Derek Jenkins no less – as director of CMF design. Car Design News caught up with Magnusson to discuss her leap of faith into the world of car design and how – despite a soft spot for old Porsches – she ultimately designed her dream car in the Lucid Air.

Car Design News: How did you get started in automotive design? Was this the plan or a happy accident?

This content is available to subscribers only   |   Sign in

Get unlimited access to Car Design News

Unlock exclusive design knowledge, inspiration & connection.

Free Trial

Trial

Includes:


Knowledge
  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration
  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Access Interior Motives magazine in digital page turner format

30-days free

Then $16 per month for Essential subscription

Billed as $194 annually

Start free trial

Other currencies: £149 / €179 annually

Available to new subscribers only

Essential Plus

Essential

Includes:


Knowledge
  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration
  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Activate a 20% discount on the annual Car Design Review yearbook

Connection
  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges

$22 per month

Billed as $259 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £199 / €239 annually

Premium

Premium-svg

Includes:


Knowledge
  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams
  • Access deeper insights with trend report whitepapers

Inspiration
  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Receive 1x annual copy of the Car Design Review yearbook
  • Activate a 25% discount on additional Car Design Review books

Connection
  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges
  • Participate in subscriber only online workshops

$32 per month

Billed as $389 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £299 / €359 annually
 

Explore more subscription options.

 


Need help?


For help with individual user subscriptions please contact:

Eric Ng
Eric.Ng@ultimamedia.com

For help with multi user subscriptions please contact:

Angela Yang
Angela.Yang@cardesignnews.com

 

Sign in   |   Forgotten password