IN BRIEF
- Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum named Industry Innovator of the Year at Motorcity Automotive Industry Night (MAIN) Event
- Jaguar products praised for distinct design language, use of advanced technology and outstanding vehicle dynamics
IN DETAIL
(Whitley, Coventry ‑ 16 January 2014) Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum has this week been named 'Industry Innovator of the Year' at the 2014 Motorcity Automotive Industry Night (MAIN) Event Awards. Jaguar was recognised by the MAIN Event Executive Committee as the ultimate definition of automotive luxury and praised for its distinct design language, use of advanced technology and outstanding vehicle dynamics. The ceremony took place at Orchestra Hall, Detroit, in front of an audience of over 700 automotive executives, designers and international media.
Presenting the trophy to Ian, Keith Nagara, Executive Committee Chairman said: "Jaguars are beautiful vehicles that all generations aspire to own. They epitomise the ultimate in automotive luxury, desirability and craftsmanship. Ian Callum has led the design revolution at Jaguar that has helped transform the brand, most recently demonstrated by the launch of the stunning F‑TYPE Coupé. This is a brand that is going from strength to strength."
Ian Callum said: "It is an honour to receive this award. It is with the benefit of having such a great team around me that we have been able to deliver the cars and designs that define Jaguar today."
Ian Callum has been at the forefront of the transformation of Jaguar's design aesthetic since joining the brand in 1999. Born in Dumfries, Scotland, he studied Industrial Design at the Glasgow School of Art. Upon graduating, Callum opted to specialise in vehicle design, enrolling at the Royal College of Art (RCA) on the Automobile Design course, and has since received five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. Callum is responsible for Jaguar design language created over the past decade, which includes the current Jaguar XK, XF, XJ and the recently launched F‑TYPE sports car.
Staged in Detroit on the eve of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the annual celebration of automotive excellence allocates four awards across design and industry. Each year two industry executives whose achievements have made a substantial global impact, leading their institutions to set new standards of industry innovation, are recognised at the awards. Celebrating not only established excellence, the next generation of automotive talent is selected by the MAIN Executive Committee from current design students at Lawrence Technological University.
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Dan Connell
Global Brand PR and Communications Manager
E: dconnel1@jaguarlandrover.com
T: +44 (0)7880 177307
Aimée Hancock
Global Brand Communications Officer
E: ahancock@jaguarlandrover.com
T: +44 (0)7557 540 612
Note to editors:
About Ian Callum
From the moment he laid eyes on the Jaguar XJ6 when he was 14,
Ian Callum knew he'd found his dream job. Inspired, he sent some
sketches to the then Chief Engineer, Bill Heynes, who encouraged
him to follow his heart.
Early on, American cars had a big influence on him. "I recognised
the design in them, almost the exaggeration of design. They were
definitely more expressive, and in my mind, America was extremely
glamorous… The '65 Buick Riviera was my favourite. And it didn't
come from seeing the cars ‑ it came from not being able to see
them."
Ian studied at the Glasgow School of Art before taking a Masters
in Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Art in London. His
talents had already been noted by Ford and for 12 years he was
involved in designing some of the company's best‑loved cars before
joining TWR, where he took on high‑profile projects for the likes
of Aston Martin (the DB7, Vanquish and DB9), Ford Puma, Volvo C70
and Nissan R390.
Then, in 1999, Ian got the call he'd been waiting for all his
life: the chance to be Design Director of Jaguar.
His understanding of, and respect for, the brand's creators is
clear in the cars he and his team have created. "We know how
intently our predecessors pushed the boundaries of design and
technology. Jaguar has always been a forward thinking company and
that philosophy informs the work we do to this day."
This is clearly demonstrated by Ian's work on the transformation
of the range with award‑winning designs for the XK, XF and XJ, and
now with the new F‑TYPE.
"Jaguars are about great proportions, fantastic silhouettes… the
optimum expression of metal… I've always believed any good design
can be drawn in two or three lines."
You might think that successfully designing new Jaguars might be
hindered by the weight of heritage and previous successes. Ian
isn't fazed: "My point of judgment is always: what would Sir
William Lyons think of this? And I honestly think he'd approve,
hugely."
Not content to rest on his laurels, Ian leads a talented team who
are working every day to perfect the Jaguar of the future. Ask him
which car he's most proud of, his answer is simple: "The next
one!"