Lowie Vermeersch's strengths are his engineering skills and his ability to manage projects and people. An example of the Pininfarina chief designer's multiple talents is the Italian design house's 2004 Nido minicar concept. He was responsible for the car's styling and engineering. He showed off his understanding of aesthetics with his work on the 2005 Maserati Birdcage concept. Those who know him say he is straightforward and honest. They expect him to provide many more eye-catching models.
Name: Lowie Vermeersch.
Age: 32.
Title: Pininfarina chief designer.
Nationality: Belgian.
Education: Degree in industrial design from Delft Technical University, Netherlands.
What do you drive?
Alfa Romeo 147.
What was your first job in the industry?
Junior designer at Pininfarina, in 1998.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a car designer?
Question things until you discover the origin then create from there.
What misconception do people have about your job?
That it is only about the exterior shape. A big part of our job lays under the skin.
Which cars do you wish you designed?
The original Fiat 500 and the Ferrari 456 GT.
Which cars are you glad you didn't design?
The Pontiac Aztek.
What didn't they teach you about your job at design school?
That knowledge only serves when it is guided by intuition and passion.
