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Top O.C. designers, continued ...
Auto designer
Derek Jenkins
Director of design for Mazda North America
Irvine
<<< Photo by Carla Rhea
Biggest
goal: “As you get older, it’s challenging to stay really relevant as a
designer. And that’s something that most talented designers strive for:
to maintain relevance as they get older.”
Drive
around town long enough, and you’re bound to see plenty of Mazda6s,
Audi A2s and Volkswagen Sciroccos. When you do, you’re looking at the
work of Derek Jenkins.
A native Southern Californian,
Jenkins grew up working on old Volkswagens with his dad and shaping his
own surfboards. And his creative talents were apparent, even at the age
of 16. That’s when his surf coach and ceramics teacher encouraged him
to apply to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He won a
full-ride scholarship and graduated at the top of this class in 1993.
Jenkins
completed an internship with Porsche and spent eight years working for
Audi. (He’s credited for producing the A2 and A8). Then he went to work
as the chief of design for the Volkswagen Group North America. (The
Scirocco, Microbus, Ragster and GX3 concepts rank among his
accomplishments there.)
Currently, Jenkins is the director
of design for Mazda North America Operations. He oversees all creative
development, including exterior and interior design, color and
material, accessories and overall strategy. He also spearheads Mazda’s
global and local production programs, as well as concept vehicles and
special models.
Working out of the Mazda Research &
Development facility in Irvine, his team of 25 is credited with the
Kabura, Nagare and Furai concept cars, as well as the 2009 Mazda6 and
2010 Mazda3.
Jenkins’ design sensibilities result in cars that boast bold silhouettes, strong proportion and pure lines.
Jenkins
lives by the beach with his wife and two sons. He still enjoys the
outdoors – surfing, running and motorcycling – as well as restoring
cars, flying remote-control airplanes and exploring architectural and
industrial design.
Derek Jenkins | Barclay Butera | Mariana Stoopen
Matt Tubergen | Jane Elia Schwartz | Marc Entin
Kelli Ellis | Dan Parks | Oday Shakar | Lin Shen
Top O.C. designers, continued ...
Auto designerDerek Jenkins
Director of design for Mazda North America
Irvine
<<< Photo by Carla Rhea
Biggest goal: “As you get older, it’s challenging to stay really relevant as a designer. And that’s something that most talented designers strive for: to maintain relevance as they get older.”
Drive around town long enough, and you’re bound to see plenty of Mazda6s, Audi A2s and Volkswagen Sciroccos. When you do, you’re looking at the work of Derek Jenkins.
A native Southern Californian, Jenkins grew up working on old Volkswagens with his dad and shaping his own surfboards. And his creative talents were apparent, even at the age of 16. That’s when his surf coach and ceramics teacher encouraged him to apply to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He won a full-ride scholarship and graduated at the top of this class in 1993.
Jenkins completed an internship with Porsche and spent eight years working for Audi. (He’s credited for producing the A2 and A8). Then he went to work as the chief of design for the Volkswagen Group North America. (The Scirocco, Microbus, Ragster and GX3 concepts rank among his accomplishments there.)
Currently, Jenkins is the director of design for Mazda North America Operations. He oversees all creative development, including exterior and interior design, color and material, accessories and overall strategy. He also spearheads Mazda’s global and local production programs, as well as concept vehicles and special models.
Working out of the Mazda Research & Development facility in Irvine, his team of 25 is credited with the Kabura, Nagare and Furai concept cars, as well as the 2009 Mazda6 and 2010 Mazda3.
Jenkins’ design sensibilities result in cars that boast bold silhouettes, strong proportion and pure lines.
Jenkins lives by the beach with his wife and two sons. He still enjoys the outdoors – surfing, running and motorcycling – as well as restoring cars, flying remote-control airplanes and exploring architectural and industrial design.
Derek Jenkins | Barclay Butera | Mariana Stoopen
Matt Tubergen | Jane Elia Schwartz | Marc Entin
Kelli Ellis | Dan Parks | Oday Shakar | Lin Shen
Matt Tubergen | Jane Elia Schwartz | Marc Entin
Kelli Ellis | Dan Parks | Oday Shakar | Lin Shen
