Head of design sought by Ford

Ford Motor Company is seeking a design head for a forthcoming London design studio, which it plans to open next year in a central location.

The inner city design centre, expected to employ 30 to 40 designers from mixed disciplines, marks a departure for Ford, which currently operates regional design centres close to its factories. The London studio will be partly open to the public.

Ford has yet to name a project co-ordinator and architect for the centre, which is expected to feature a gallery, conference facilities, a restaurant and a shop.

While the car giant’s long-standing relationship with Imagination will see an “undecided level of involvement” for the brand experience specialist, according to Ford public affairs director Gavin Green, there could still be scope for other design consultancies to be involved with the project.

The design centre is the idea of vice-president, design, Ford Automotive Operations, J Mays. His concept is to create an inner-city base to offer a “lively, buzzing environment” conducive to varied design disciplines.

It will also serve as a stopover for design collaborators such as Marc Newson, who was invited to design the Ford 021C concept car, named after the Pantone number of its orange colour.