Innovation is what brings us forward. At the future center we work hand in hand with Group Innovation – with them we design the mobility for tomorrow. Every year, we expand on Group innovation strategies to create new products that inspire and evolve all VW brands.

My most comprehensive project was the development of a new white-label innovation vehicle for the Volkswagen Group Innovation unit. The project was set up cross-departmental involving the VW Group Innovation unit, VW Group of America, and us, the FCE. We started the project via a series of workshops with the experts from different VW departments to build the project’s vision and premises. VW Group innovation conducted Research & Development activities about new materials, vehicle innovations and production & dismantling processes that could be applied to the innovation vehicle concept, thus laying the groundwork for this project.
In the meantime, we co-created the business model of the innovation car, after which we visualized the product journey from the production start until its end of life. Additionally, I was asked to create the CI for the innovation car. This included a logo and a visual identity for the project, which intended to help with the identification for the project and the team. It was used during the project presentation, on fairs and for internal communication.
Subsequently, we formed potential user groups that would drive the vehicle along the product journey in order to detect the different challenges and demands of each user group. Throughout various workshops, I led us in creating user stories to identify these specific needs and challenges.
After the user stories were developed, we started to brief our different FCE design departments to work close together and to create a holistic design approach.  Each of department was in charge of different dimensions of the vehicle: Exterior, Interior, Digital Experience and Color & Trends. The strategic department, to which I belong, was responsible for the design direction and overall planning on this innovation car. 

In design direction, we ensured that the design concepts and premisses aligned with the project’s objectives and that innovation elements were integrated into the final designs. During this project, the innovation car was allocated to one of the VW Group’s brands which resulted in increasing complexity due to an additional stakeholder. In addition, the car’s design and idea were repeatedly challenged by new limitations brought about by the properties of the materials, technological advancements or modifications to the business plan. 

Despite these challenges, the FCE’s holistic approach resulted in one of the greatest projects which has been presented at the internal VW Group fair for two years in a row. I am excited to see what comes out of this fantastic project.  It was one of the most inspiring projects opening new opportunities for the future of our mobility.