At the esteemed 2024 Car Design Award ceremony held at the ADI Design Museum in Milan, Kia Corporation (Kia) stood out as a beacon of automotive innovation, clinching the coveted accolade for ‘Brand Design Language’. This recognition underscores Kia’s commitment to pioneering design philosophies that redefine industry standards.
Introduced as part of its groundbreaking brand relaunch in 2021, Kia unveiled its revolutionary design ethos, dubbed ‘Opposites United’. This philosophy, rooted in the interplay of tension, harmony, and dynamism, aims to infuse fresh perspectives into automotive design by embracing the contrasting forces inherent in daily life.
Kia’s success at the Car Design Award ceremony stems from its unwavering dedication to communicating consistent design directions through its ‘Opposites United’ philosophy. By launching a range of differentiated product designs, Kia has demonstrated its prowess in consolidating design ideas and delivering customer value across its market-leading vehicles.
The jury at the Car Design Award 2024 lauded Kia for its bold approach, stating, “With its Opposites United philosophy, Kia design has taken a non-conformist approach with the aim of inducing change, unafraid of taking risks.” This acknowledgment underscores Kia’s relentless pursuit of innovation to establish a new identity in the automotive landscape.
Among Kia’s standout achievements are the accolades garnered by its latest vehicle, the EV9, which clinched two of the world’s most prestigious automobile awards – the ‘2024 World Car of the Year’ and the ‘2024 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year’. Additionally, the EV9 secured the esteemed Gold prize at the iF Design Awards, further cementing Kia’s position as a trailblazer in automotive design.
Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design, emphasized the brand’s commitment to shaping a future of mobility that is both innovative and sustainable. He remarked, “Embracing the spirit of Opposites United, Kia Design tries to harness the power of design to shape a future of mobility that is both innovative and sustainable; one that tries to make people’s lives easier and better.”
The recognition at the Car Design Award ceremony underscores Kia’s global impact in driving meaningful design innovations. Karim expressed gratitude towards the global team members whose dedication and motivation have propelled Kia to the forefront of automotive design.
Founded in the 1980s, the Car Design Award has remained a pinnacle of global recognition for automotive design excellence. This year’s winners were announced during Milan Design Week, with Kia’s Head of Global Design, Karim Habib, accepting the award on behalf of the brand.
As part of its presence at Milan Design Week, Kia is showcasing a Design Cultural Communication Project inspired by its ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, further demonstrating its commitment to shaping the future of automotive design.
