Nader Faghihzadeh is an Iranian–German automotive designer whose work has shaped some of the most recognisable BMW models of the last two decades and who now leads design for AVATR — a Chinese-European electric-vehicle brand aiming to define a new kind of “emotive luxury.” His career bridges production excellence, visionary concept work and brand-level design leadership: a rare combination that makes his voice essential for anyone interested in how premium mobility is being reinvented today.
Early life, training and design formation
Born in Tehran in 1976 and trained at the University of Pforzheim, Nader developed the classic transportation-design toolkit: rigorous sketching, clay modelling, proportion studies and systems thinking. That German education and studio formation equipped him to move seamlessly between concept explorations and production realities — a capability that would define his later leadership at BMW and AVATR.
Making iconic BMWs: proportion, presence and technical elegance
During his years at BMW and Designworks, Nader played leading roles on projects ranging from interiors to exterior design. He contributed substantially to the BMW 7 Series interior (F01/F02) and led exterior work on the BMW 6 Series (Gran Coupé, Coupé and Convertible). These projects demonstrate his strengths: precise proportioning, sculptural surfacing and interiors that balance luxury with clarity. His design work from this period helped solidify the visual language of BMW in the 2000s and 2010s.
From senior roles to design leadership: the AVATR chapter
In 2019 Nader transitioned to take on a leadership role with AVATR, establishing and heading the AVATR Global Design Center in Munich and later becoming Chief Design Officer and Executive Vice President. At AVATR he shaped the brand identity, name, logo and overarching design philosophy — moving beyond single models to a coherent product family strategy (AVATR 11, 12, 06, 07 and the limited “0 Series”). Under his direction the AVATR design team set out to deliver emotional, premium EV experiences for a global market.
Signature AVATR models and the awards they brought
The AVATR models have quickly gained international attention and awards for their design quality and interior innovation. Recent examples include the AVATR 11 and AVATR 12, each recognised by global juries for design excellence and praised for their balance of technology and human-centred space. These recognitions are tangible proof that a brand can move from concept to award-winning production in a short timeframe when led by experienced design leadership.
Red Dot Awards — Recognition and Impact
Red Dot is one of the world’s most respected design awards, judged by international experts and reserved for products that demonstrate outstanding design quality, innovation and user experience. Receiving a Red Dot is a strong stamp of professional recognition and substantially raises a project’s visibility on the global stage.
Nader Faghihzadeh has been instrumental in design projects that won Red Dot honors, most notably the AVATR 11 and AVATR 12. These vehicles were recognized for their well-resolved product language and user-focused interiors: the AVATR 11 was applauded for its fluid exterior surfaces and lounge-like cabin that orchestrate a cohesive user experience, while the AVATR 12 was noted for its bold visual identity and distinctive compositional choices. Such accolades reflect the combination of technical execution and emotional design that characterises his work.
Why these Red Dot awards matter
- International credibility: Red Dot recognition helps position both the designer and the brand in premium, global markets.
- Stronger brand narrative: Awards validate the design story — making it easier to communicate product value to customers and partners.
- Commercial and PR value: Winning projects attract media coverage, investor interest and retail attention, accelerating market entry and strengthening trust.
- Design leadership proof: For executives and product teams, these awards demonstrate that investment in design leadership yields measurable reputational and business returns.
Design philosophy: identity, emotion and scalable systems
Across both his BMW years and his AVATR leadership, a few consistent priorities appear:
• Identity-driven design — cars must express a clear brand DNA: a silhouette, a surface language and a cabin tone that together communicate intent.
• Human emotion — design must work at the level of feeling; lighting, materiality and proportion are orchestrated to create a mood, not just satisfy metrics.
• Scalable systems thinking — platforms, modular components and family styling are planned so that aesthetics transfer across multiple models without dilution.
This blend of brand identity, sensory design and systematisation explains why his teams produce cars that feel coherent across product lines while remaining commercially viable.
Notable career highlights & recognitions
Nader’s work has been part of projects that won Red Dot and iF awards and other international distinctions — recognition that spans both automotive legacy brands and leading EV newcomers. Under his leadership AVATR has continued to win industry awards and public attention at major shows such as IAA (Munich) and global design juries. These awards reaffirm both aesthetic excellence and the business value of design.
Business lessons for CEOs and brand leaders
Executives can draw three concrete lessons from Nader’s practice:
- Invest early in design leadership — appointing experienced design leaders who can both inspire creativity and manage engineering constraints shortens time-to-market and improves product desirability.
- Design is a brand multiplier — consistent visual and experiential identity across products raises perceived value and supports premium pricing.
- Build cross-disciplinary teams — blending UI/UX, materials engineering, proportion studies and brand strategy inside the same design organisation reduces handover friction and accelerates innovation.
Following these rules helps companies turn design from a cost centre into a strategic revenue lever.
official links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nader_Faghihzadeh
https://competition.adesignaward.com/designer.php?profile=122072
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nader-faghihzadeh-5a1ba51/
https://www.instagram.com/naderfaghihzadeh/
https://www.bmwblog.com/2015/10/20/interview-with-nader-faghihzadeh-bmw-7-series-exterior-designer/
https://www.red-dot.org/project/avatr-11-70168
https://www.red-dot.org/project/avatr-12-70170
