Felix Kilbertus was enthralled with cars before he could even speak, easily recognizing many brands and models while struggling to name them. The Citroën DS was particularly magical to the young enthusiast because its unusual shape reminded him of a shark. Every time he watched one on the road it seemed almost alive, with the hydraulic suspension lifting it as if waking and stretching its legs before a long journey.
It?s hardly surprising then that Kilbertus enjoyed a 20-year career in automotive design before shifting to other arenas, yet he?s still inspired by vehicles of every make. ?To this day I am fascinated by how cars move in space and how light reflects on their shiny bodies,? he says. ?There are millions of big, kinetic sculptures out in the open all around us ? a vast collective work of functional art.?
As the chief creative officer at Pininfarina, Kilbertus supervises all of the teams located in Italy, China, and the United States. These groups work on a range of projects, from architecture to experience design. More than an executive, he serves as a creative guide, grateful for the mentors and colleagues along the way that have shaped his thinking.
As part of daily business in the design world, Kilbertus is interested in photography, which he keeps discovering new facets of. When he takes pictures he acts as an editor, spotting a motif and then framing it. He marvels at the high-quality images that any person can produce with the click of a smartphone button....