Automotive Design: A Journey from Studio to Strategy to Social Impact

About the Presentation

Through the lens of his professional journey, Tim Shih will share a selection of projects from a career that spans automotive design, branding, technology integration, and systems thinking.

From the dreams of a young designer to the insights of a global executive and now as a non-profit co-founder, Tim continues to leverage design as a powerful tool for change—whether applied to mobility products, corporate strategy, or societal and environmental benefit.

This session is also an opportunity for open exchange and engagement with the QUT Design community.

About Tim Shih

Tim Shih has been a design leader in the automotive industry for over 25 years. After completing degrees in architecture and transportation design, he began his career at Volvo Trucks North America before moving to Germany and Japan with Johnson Controls’ automotive interiors business.

In 2006, Tim achieved his childhood dream of working at BMW in Munich, later relocating to Shanghai to lead design for a new sub-brand and gather insights from China’s dynamic market. Inspired by this rapid development, he left BMW in 2017 to become Global VP of Design and User Experience at Yanfeng, overseeing creative teams in China, Germany, and the US.

In 2022, Tim returned to the US to support family while focusing his expertise on social impact. He co-founded the Mobility Futures Alliance, a US-based non-profit with the vision of improving lives through better transportation, alongside new advisory roles.

Coffee/tea and light refreshments provided