BMW Design Director Keen to Exchange Ideas with Singapore

BMW Design Director Keen to Exchange Ideas with Singapore
Singapore's design scene is gradually undergoing a sea change - starting with the incorporation of the world's top-notch design talents in the DesignSingapore Council's International Advisory Panel (IAP).

The most recent addition to the public organisation panel of seven members, Mr Christopher Bangle, brings with him 12 years of expertise as the BMW Group's director of design.

Every BMW automobile on the roads right now bears the creative touch of the 47-year old American.

He has also added his magic touch to the design of other automobile icons, such as the Mini and the top-tier Rolls-Royce.

Part of Mr Bangle's role as IAP adviser - a two-year tenure until Sept 2006 - includes proposing how Singapore can leverage on its strengths to use design to increase the republic's international competitiveness.

"I'm hoping to offer some insights in a dialogue (with Singaporeans) and offer a point of view and creative juices in a partnership of what is going on," he told Today.

One of Singapore's most evident strengths, said Mr Bangle, is that there is such a one-stop public organisation like the DesignSingapore Council - set up by the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts in August last year - to promote design in Singapore.

"There is a design awareness here at the government and cultural level t