Automotive design is more than just about making a car look good—it’s an art form that influences everything from performance and safety to emotion and brand identity.
Over the last century, some designers have reshaped the industry, creating iconic vehicles that have become more than just transportation; they’ve become symbols of innovation, luxury, and power.
This article explores the ten best automotive designers of all time and highlights their groundbreaking contributions to car design.
What Makes an Automotive Designer Legendary?
Designing a car is a delicate balance between creativity, engineering, and functionality. A legendary automotive designer combines an eye for aesthetics with technical knowledge and a vision for the future.
These designers challenge conventions, push boundaries, and introduce elements that resonate with people across the globe. They make cars functional and desirable, turning them into symbols of aspiration.
The ten designers in this list have all achieved this in unique ways, each influencing car design in ways that have stood the test of time.
1. Harley Earl (General Motors)
Harley Earl is often referred to as the father of modern automotive design. He was the first head of design at General Motors (GM) and introduced the concept of car styling as a dedicated discipline, not just an offshoot of engineering. Earl’s vision turned GM into a style leader in the automotive industry, and his impact is still felt today.
Earl’s most iconic contribution was the Buick Y-Job in 1938, considered the world’s first concept car. He also pioneered tailfins on cars, a trend that became synonymous with American automotive design in the 1950s.
Earl was the driving force behind the look of GM’s cars for decades, making him one of the most influential figures in automotive history.
Notable Designs:
Buick Y-Job (1938)
Chevrolet Corvette (1953)
Cadillac Series 62 (1948) with tailfins
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2. Giorgetto Giugiaro (Italdesign)
If you’ve ever seen an iconic car from the 1970s or 1980s, chances are Giorgetto Giugiaro had a hand in its design. Named the “Car Designer of the Century” in 1999, Giugiaro’s versatility across brands and car types made him a legend in the automotive world.
Giugiaro’s most influential work came from the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 (1974), which set the benchmark for compact hatchbacks and remains a defining car for Volkswagen. [Best Automotive Designers of All Time]
He also designed the DeLorean DMC-12, a car that would gain eternal fame as the time-traveling vehicle in the Back to the Future movies.
Notable Designs:
Volkswagen Golf Mk1 (1974)
DeLorean DMC-12 (1981)
Lotus Esprit (1976)
3. Marcello Gandini (Bertone)
Few designers have had the kind of impact on the supercar world that Marcello Gandini has. As the chief designer for Bertone, Gandini’s career was marked by bold, revolutionary designs that became hallmarks of the supercar genre.
His most famous creation, the Lamborghini Miura (1966), is often regarded as the world’s first supercar and set the template for mid-engine performance cars.
Gandini is also responsible for the iconic Lamborghini Countach (1974), whose wedge-shaped body and scissor doors defined the look of supercars for the next two decades.
His designs were radical and technically innovative, often pushing the boundaries of what was possible in car manufacturing at the time.
Notable Designs:
Lamborghini Miura (1966)
Lamborghini Countach (1974)
Lancia Stratos (1973)
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4. Battista and Sergio Pininfarina (Pininfarina Design Studio)
The name Pininfarina is synonymous with Italian luxury and automotive elegance. Founded by Battista “Pinin” Farina in 1930, the Pininfarina design house became famous for its work with Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
The company’s designs were known for their flowing lines, elegant proportions, and impeccable attention to detail.
Battista’s son, Sergio Pininfarina, continued the family legacy, overseeing the design of modern classics like the Ferrari Enzo and Ferrari 458 Italia.
The Pininfarina design ethos emphasizes purity of form, creating vehicles as beautiful to look at as they are to drive.
Notable Designs:
Ferrari 250 GT SWB (1961)
Ferrari Enzo (2002)
Ferrari 458 Italia (2009)
5. Chris Bangle (BMW)
Controversial yet undeniably influential, Chris Bangle was the head of design at BMW from 1992 to 2009. Bangle is best known for the BMW 7 Series E65 (2001), a design that sparked significant debate due to its bold, unconventional look. His introduction of “flame surfacing,” a design philosophy where body panels curve and undulate, was groundbreaking at the time, though it polarized public opinion.
Despite the initial backlash, many of Bangle’s ideas have been reconsidered as visionary, and his influence is still visible in modern BMWs.
Under his leadership, BMW’s design language evolved into something more futuristic and daring, setting the brand apart from its more conservative competitors.
Notable Designs:
BMW 7 Series E65 (2001)
BMW Z4 (2002)
BMW X5 (1999)
6. Ferdinand Porsche (Porsche AG)
Ferdinand Porsche is one of the most important figures in automotive history, responsible for designing two of the most iconic cars of the 20th century: the Volkswagen Beetle and the Porsche 911.
The Beetle, initially conceived in the 1930s, became the best-selling car in the world thanks to its simple yet functional design.
Porsche’s work extended beyond practicality, however. His design for the Porsche 911 (1963) has become legendary.
The 911’s timeless silhouette and rear-engine layout have endured for over half a century, making it one of the most iconic sports cars ever.
Notable Designs:
Volkswagen Beetle (1938)
Porsche 911 (1963)
Porsche 356 (1948)
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7. Walter de Silva (Audi/Volkswagen Group)
Walter de Silva is an Italian designer who brought a sense of precision and elegance to every brand he worked with.
During his tenure at Audi and later the Volkswagen Group, de Silva was responsible for refining the design language of brands like SEAT, Skoda, and Lamborghini.
His most significant achievement came with the Audi A5 (2007), a car he described as his most beautiful creation. His focus on simplicity and proportion, with clean lines and elegant forms, brought sophistication to mass-market cars.
De Silva also contributed to the design of the Volkswagen Golf Mk7, continuing the legacy of one of the world’s most popular cars.
Notable Designs:
Audi A5 (2007)
Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012)
Lamborghini Miura Concept (2006)
8. Ian Callum (Aston Martin/Jaguar)
Ian Callum is regarded as one of Britain’s best automotive designers, having revitalized two of the country’s most prestigious brands: Aston Martin and Jaguar.
Callum’s designs are characterized by their balance of modernity and tradition, creating sleek and timeless cars.
His first major success was the Aston Martin DB7 (1993), which helped revive the struggling brand. Later, at Jaguar, Callum oversaw the design of the Jaguar XF (2007) and the Jaguar F-Type (2013), both received widespread acclaim for their blend of elegance and performance.
Notable Designs:
Aston Martin DB7 (1993)
Jaguar F-Type (2013)
Jaguar XF (2007)
9. Peter Schreyer (Kia/Hyundai)
Before Peter Schreyer joined Kia, the brand was known for its budget-friendly but uninspiring cars. Schreyer’s arrival in 2006 marked a turning point, as he introduced a new design language that elevated Kia’s image.
His most significant contribution was the introduction of the “tiger-nose” grille, which became a defining feature for Kia models.
Schreyer’s designs helped transform Kia and Hyundai into globally competitive brands with a reputation for stylish, high-quality vehicles. The Kia Optima (2010) and Kia Sportage became symbols of this new design direction.
Notable Designs:
Kia Optima (2010)
Kia Sportage (2010)
Audi TT (1998)
10. Henrik Fisker (Fisker Automotive)
Henrik Fisker is a Danish designer best known for his work with luxury and electric vehicles. Fisker first gained attention for his work at BMW, where he designed the stunning BMW Z8 (1999), a retro-styled roadster that captured the essence of classic BMW design.
He later worked at Aston Martin, designing the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Aston Martin DB9, which helped modernize the brand’s lineup.