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Ian Cartabiano
Automotive Designer based in the United States
Ian Cartabiano is a prominent figure in automotive design, currently serving as the Vice President of Advanced Design at Calty Design Research, Inc., which is Toyota's advanced research and development center in North America.1
Career Highlights
Cartabiano has had a long and successful career within Toyota Design. He joined Calty Design Research immediately after graduating from Art Center College of Design in 1997.1 Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous high-profile projects and has held various leadership positions:
- Chief Designer of the Lexus LF-LC concept vehicle and Toyota C-HR
- Designed the exterior of the current Toyota Camry during a two-year stint at Toyota's Design HQ in Japan
- Studio Chief Designer at Calty, where he led projects like Toyota Concept I, FT-4X, and Lexus LF-1 Limitless
- President of Toyota Europe Design Development (ED2) from 2018 to 2022
Notable Achievements
Cartabiano has been instrumental in creating designs that have significantly impacted the perception of both Toyota and Lexus brands. Some of his notable works include:
- Toyota Aygo X
- Aygo X Prologue Concept
- Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept
- Advanced design for the Toyota bZ4X
- Multiple vehicles for the Tokyo BEV event in December 2021, including the award-winning Toyota EV Compact Cruiser
Background and Influences
Cartabiano's passion for car design started at a young age. He comes from a family with a strong background in design:
- His father was a toy designer
- His mother was a painter
- His grandfather worked as an aeronautical designer
This creative environment undoubtedly influenced his career path and contributed to his success in the automotive design industry.1
Ian Cartabiano's expertise and leadership in automotive design have made him a respected figure in the industry, contributing significantly to Toyota and Lexus's design language and innovation over the years.
Highlights
Amazing day with the Calty crew at the ArtCenter College of Design #beyondsupersonic event celebrating the grand opening of the Mullin Transportation Design building and the creations of Art Center Alumni in the world of car design.
Inspiring to meet old friends, students, and fellow instructors in the fantastic new space. Honored that Calty Design Research, Inc. (a Toyota company) was invited to bring four of our creations with the designers who helped create them. The Lexus LC500, Lexus SC400, the GR Supra and the new Toyota Land Cruiser.
#cardesign #design #designer #automotive #automotivedesign #mobility #future #concept #inspiring #team #teaching #colleagues #friends #cars
As the 8th generation Toyota Camry comes to an end, I’m grateful, proud and lucky to have designed, and to have been part of, the amazing design, engineering, and planning TEAM that changed our core sedan’s image while still being the best selling car in North America to this day. I always tell my design students that supercars get the online glory, but to design a global car intended for a wide range of buyers, cultures and markets, that is also manufactured in seven countries, is hard yet extremely rewarding work. Over two million sold in North America alone since 2018 is a testament to what the team at Toyota created. Here are some of the original sketches from 2014 that led to the final design. We aimed to show the new platform by creating a low gravity sedan with amazing stance and sculptural surfaces. Interesting facts; the first doodle was only 40mm long, the rear pillar and black roof were designed in from almost the first sketch, and the headlamp was designed on a napkin referencing a zen garden pattern.Good memories!! #design #cardesign #automotive #team #teamwork #designteam #concept #bestseller #sedan #toyota #creativity #automotivedesign #productiondesign #grateful #lovemyjob
