Strengthening Design Philosophy 'Opposites United', Kia Announces New Senior Chief Designer

Kia EV9. (Doc. Kia)

JAKARTA - Kia announced the appointment of the new Senior Chief Designer, Oliver Samson and Seungmo Lim, as the Head of Kia Design Center for Europe and China. This appointment is a manifestation of Kia's seriousness in developing his car design.

This step was taken to strengthen Kia's dedication to influential designs and the development of the philosophy of 'Opposites United'. Later, both of them will lead their team in collaborating and competing with the Kia regional Design Center located around the world to develop the design, concepts, materials, and next-generation Kia models.

In addition, the work in this position is considered very important in supporting the Design Center for the main Kia located in Namyang, South Korea, in working on all aspects of product design ranging from planning, conceptualization, style, modeling, color, and material development.

"I am very pleased to welcome Seungmo and Oliver in their new leadership position in the Kia Design team. By uniting a team of diverse talented individuals with a unique perspective, we can truly realize the philosophy behind Opposites United, which allows us to present a truly inspiring and influential design," said Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Karim Habib, in an official statement received on Thursday, August 22.

Starting his career as an External Designer at the Hyundai & Kia Motor European Design Center, Oliver Samson returns to Kia from his role as Head of Innovation Design Platform at the Changan European Design Center in Italy. In addition, Oliver has also served as the exterior Design Director at NIO and spent more than a decade at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Team, his presence will further strengthen the influential Kia Design Center in Europe.

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to join the Kia Design team in Europe during a significant period of transformation in this industry. I have always admired Kia because of his talented and advanced global design team," said Samson.

On the other hand, having previously served as Vice Head of Innovation Design for Geely Automobile, and with more than a decade of experience in the BMW design department in Munich, Seungmo Lim is the award recipient including the iF Design Award and the German Design Award.

"It is a great honor to join Kia Design when this industry faces many dynamic changes and challenges. Together with a creative and talented team, we will strive to improve the competitiveness of Kia's design by including future values into its progressive design philosophy," said Seungmo.

The appointment of Samson and Lim makes Kia confident that United's Opposites are not only applied to the shape of the vehicle, but also to the process and the people behind it. By unifying the contrasting perspectives, experiences, beliefs, and opinions of the design pioneer team around the world, Kia aims to create products with universal relevance and appeal.