Chris Bangle

Date of Birth: October 14, 1956

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Christopher Edward Bangle, commonly known as Chris Bangle, is an American automobile designer renowned for his bold and innovative designs that have significantly influenced the automotive industry. Born in Ravenna, Ohio, Bangle developed an early passion for automobiles and design. He pursued this interest academically, studying at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design. Bangle began his professional career at Opel in 1981, where he worked on the interior design of the Opel Junior concept car. His career took a pivotal turn when he joined Fiat in 1985. At Fiat, he became the Chief Designer and was responsible for the Fiat Coupé, which remains one of his most iconic designs. In 1992, Bangle made a significant move to BMW, where he served as the Chief of Design until 2009. His tenure at BMW was marked by a series of groundbreaking and controversial designs, including the BMW Z4, the BMW X6, and the 7 Series (E65). His work polarized opinion but undeniably pushed the boundaries of car design. After leaving BMW, Bangle founded his own design consultancy, Chris Bangle Associates, based in Clavesana, Italy. The consultancy focuses on a wide range of design projects beyond the automotive industry, including consumer electronics and industrial design.

5 Interesting Facts about Chris Bangle

1. Chris Bangle is credited with introducing a design language at BMW known as “flame surfacing,” which uses concave and convex shapes to create a dynamic appearance.

2. The BMW 7 Series (E65), designed under Bangle’s direction, was highly controversial but set new trends in car design.

3. Bangle’s Fiat Coupé design was noted for its distinctive, angular lines and was a significant departure from Fiat’s previous designs.

4. He has also ventured into furniture design, creating pieces that reflect his innovative approach to form and function.

5. Chris Bangle was the first American chief of design at BMW, a role traditionally held by Europeans.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chris Bangle

1. “Good design is a renaissance attitude that combines technology, cognitive science, human need, and beauty to produce something that the world didn’t know it was missing.”

2. “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

3. “I believe in the power of design to be able to change the world.”

4. “The most important part of design is finding all the issues and solving them in a way that people don’t even notice.”

5. “A designer’s job is to imagine the future before our clients do.”