Thomas Heermann
This has been a year of remarkable achievements, bold innovations, and collective resilience for us in the Autodesk Design Studio. We’ve expanded our solutions (BlankAI, NAVASTO) and focused our attention on initiatives to delight our customers.
There will be even more exciting news to come in 2025, but we wanted to take a moment and reflect on 2024.
The importance of connecting
Customer relationships are integral to our work. We have incredible touch points with you, either in your studios or at our offices.
Automotive Innovation Forum is our flagship customer event each year, and the 2024 AIF in Darmstadt, Germany was a fantastic example of that.
- Over 500 people attended, from more than 30 countries representing more than 50 automotive and mobility companies.
- We heard about hyper innovation, transforming production (Porsche), premium design at 1,500 ft (Hill Helicopters), and designing the DarkStar, the 3D model jet for the sequel to Top Gun.
Connecting with designers at the L.A. Auto Show Designers’ Night is a big moment for the community. We kicked off Autodesk University with a discussion on how AI is affecting automotive design. Design leaders from Ford, Nissan and Calty/Toyota were hosted by Nissan’s North America Design Studio in San Diego.
We also love handing out awards! We’re delighted to celebrate great design and was once again the sponsor for the Best Exterior Design Team Award at the Car Design News 2024 People Awards ceremony. This year’s award for the best exterior modeling team went to Kia!
The 2024 Car Design Dialogues in Detroit was a significant chance to talk with automotive design leaders about what’s on their minds.
These events are the highlight of the year for us. They let us connect with you, and they give you time to engage with us directly.
The state of the automotive industry
It’s also been a year of change. We’re seeing a seismic shift in the global automotive and mobility landscape as the world (tries to) transition from petrol and diesel cars to electric motors.
We know that many of you are trying to invest heavily in the future. We also know that some of you struggle to keep up or divest. Either way, all of you have unique challenges, and we have earned the privilege of being a trusted partner to help.
This new challenge comes on top of the considerable and ongoing challenge of speed to market (without compromising on quality or aesthetics), elevated consumer demands, and a need to differentiate through design – being more creative and accessing the speed of digital decision making. There is no shortage of pressure and opportunity in today’s automotive market.
The purpose of the Autodesk Design Studio
That’s why, literally, we’re here to help. There’s no part of what we do that isn’t in service to what you do, because our software does nothing by itself.
That’s why we engage with you throughout the year, every year, every chance we get. Because we know our purpose is to be thinking about the people who use our solutions, how those solutions are going to help you.
Think of us as the “elf on the shelf” for designers.
We aim to address your problems. This is why, for example, we’ve got great XR capabilities for your design reviews, to ensure your speed of digital decision making is faster than ever.
In step with much of the world, we’re aware of how much impact AI has, and will have, in design. Our aim is to help you (whether you’re a customer and/or designer) to be more creative and more playful, as well as to work more efficiently and quickly.
This year, we’ve expanded to include BlankAI and NAVASTO, both products that aim to increase speed and quality of decision making in automotive design. We see these AI assets as allowing the designer’s eye to see more clearly and iterate more broadly. Think of them as a companion for your design team.
Our Flow Production Tracking has been integral to a number of OEMs streamlining their CMF elements.
And we’re working harder than ever to increase seamless interaction between Alias and VRED.
We’re excited to listen to you and what’s happening for your company, in your design studio – because that allows us to plan strategically for future ways to help. And that lets us adapt along the way as things change, because if we’ve learned nothing else over the last four years, it’s that things will always change.
All of us at Autodesk want to thank you for your partnership and trust. We hope you are able to disconnect and truly recharge during the holiday season, spending quality time with those who matter most and reflecting on the incredible work you’ve accomplished.
We look forward to exploring all the potential that 2025 holds, as we continue to work together to redefine automotive design.
Stay tuned for more customer spotlights, industry stories, and product updates.
You can also check out our Autodesk Automotive on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Alias and VRED YouTube channels, and follow us on Facebook.
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