It’s time to see who made the shortlist for the 2024 People Awards 

Car Design News is excited to reveal the shortlisted entries for the 2024 People Awards. Now in its third year after a blockbuster first outing in 2022, the People Awards celebrates the individuals and teams behind all facets of design. 

Huge thanks must go to all those who took the time and effort to get involved. More than 200 entries came in this year and there was a real ‘handcrafted’ feel to the opening statements, presentations, photos and videos. Applicants ranged from solo designers to entire teams, with everyone from established design directors to undiscovered talent spotlighted from all over the world. 

So, what happens next? A panel of experienced car designers will gather in person for live judging at the Nissan Design Europe studio in Paddington, London, to choose the winners for each category. As with past editions, judges will be unable to vote for themselves or another brand within their group, meaning final votes are entirely unbiased and given on merit alone. Based on the calibre of the entries, 2024 will be the toughest year so far to pick a winner. 

Without further ado, here’s who made the shortlist. If you see yourself, your company or simply a familiar name on the list, spread the word! 

Best Clay Modelling Team  sponsored by Kolb Design Technology

  • Hyundai Design Model Solution Team
  • Nissan Design Europe Clay Modelling Team
  • Mahindra Global Design Clay Team
  • Bentley Motors Clay Modelling Team
  • Daniel Becher – FAW

Best CMF Team  sponsored by UE Studios

  • Kia Next CMF Team
  • Rivian CMF Team
  • Lucid CMF Team
  • Polestar CMF Team
  • BMW Colour and Trim Team

Best Studio Engineering Team  sponsored by Volvo Cars

  • Rivian Exterior Studio Engineering Team
  • Hyundai Design Studio Engineering Team
  • Aston Martin Design Studio Engineering Team
  • Verne Studio Engineering Team
  • Changan Global Studio Engineering Team

Best Digital Modelling Team  sponsored by Linkage Design

  • Bentley Motors Digital Team
  • Nio Munich Digital Modelling Team
  • Hyundai Design Digital Solution Team
  • Italdesign Digital Modelling Team
  • Rivian Digital Modelling Team

Best Exterior Design Team  sponsored by Autodesk

  • Rivian Exterior Design Team
  • BMW ED-B-1 Exterior Design Team
  • Lucid Exterior Design Team
  • Zeekr Exterior Design Team
  • Kia Next Design Exterior Teams

Best Interior Design Team  sponsored by Ultrafabrics

  • BMW Interior Design Team
  • Volvo Cars Interior Design Team
  • Lucid Interior Design Team
  • Rivian Interior Design Team
  • Zeekr Mix Interior Design Team

Best Lighting Design Team – sponsored by Swarovski Mobility

  • Zeekr Design Technology & Innovation Team
  • Verne Design Team
  • Mercedes-Benz Exterior Detail Design & Light Engineering Teams
  • Audi Light Design Team
  • Hyundai Lighting Design Team

AI Explorer Award – sponsored by Los Angeles Auto Show, Automobility LA

  • Harry Franklin - Loughborough University
  • Interactive Cabin Design team – Xi’an Jiaotong University 
  • Kasturi Kailas Katale – National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
  • Shima Solati and Jason Song – General Motors & College for Creative Studies
  • Markus Leszczyk – Umeå Institute of Design

Best UX Design Team  sponsored by Contechs Consulting

  • Harman Automotive Design Team
  • Hyundai Global Interior Design Team
  • Changan Global Design Center UX Design Team
  • Verne UX/UI Team
  • Polestar UX Team

Beyond Automotive Design – sponsored by Afry Experience Studio

  • Ionity HPC Charging Design Programme – BMW Group Designworks 
  • Motocompacto – Honda R&D Americas & Honda Development & Manufacturing America
  • Made to Last – Mahindra Global Design Team
  • Bentley Beyond Design Team
  • Tesla Product Design Team

Best Supplier Award 

  • Kolb Design Technology 
  • Harman Automotive
  • Envisage Group 
  • Ultrafabrics Automotive Team
  • Marelli Automotive Lighting Innovation Team

Challenging the Industry  sponsored by Bentley

  • Hyundai Commercial Advanced Team
  • Kia Future Design Group
  • Audi AI Design Team, FelGAN
  • Czinger Design Team
  • Tesla Design Team

Design Educator of the Year  sponsored by Mahindra Design

  • Keun Lee, Hongik University 
  • Richard Gilmartin, Staffordshire University 
  • Nick Hull, Coventry University 

Most Supportive Design Leader  sponsored by Konzepthaus Consulting

  • Verne Design Leaders
  • Philipp Siebourg, Harman Automotive
  • Ian Callum, Callum 
  • Dalim Seo, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center
  • Lesley Busby, Nissan Design Europe

Most Sustainable Brand Team – sponsored by Bridge of Weir Leather 

  • Rivian Design CMF Team
  • Tesla Design Team
  • Kia Next CMF Team
  • Mahindra Global Design Team
  • Zeekr Material Lab Team 

Undiscovered Talent – sponsored by Zeekr Design

  • Harry Franklin, Loughborough University
  • Nicolà Borrer, Royal College of Art
  • Shima Solati and Jason Song, College for Creative Studies
  • Alisson Liu, China Academy of Art
  • Alban Lerailler & Alexandre Bernini, ISD RUBIKA