BREAKING IN: Next Up: Christopher Chapman

Next Up: Christopher Chapman

2001 BMW X-Coupe Concept Detail

Christopher Chapman is the Chief Designer of the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif., having joined Hyundai in 2012. He is responsible for new vehicle and concept design for Hyundai Design North America. Prior to joining Hyundai, Chapman was with the BMW Group at DesignworksUSA in Newbury Park, California. Among designing for a variety of concept and production programs, he designed the exterior of the X5 Sport Activity Vehicle.

In 2000, Chapman and his family relocated to Munich, Germany for a two-year assignment where he immersed himself in the BMW culture. While there, he designed the X Coupe concept car which debuted at the Detroit Motor Show in 2001, the CS1 concept shown at the Geneva Auto Salon in 2002, followed by the 1-Series production Coupe and its three derivatives. In 2002, Chapman was appointed Director of Automotive Design and was responsible for guiding several advanced concepts and production vehicles including the new X5, X3, and Z4. In 2008, Chapman was additionally appointed to direct the Transportation Design department, which includes Designworks’ external partners in aviation, marine, and various mobility concepts.

Chapman began his career at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in Cerritos, California in 1989 and was the designer for the gull-winged XU-1 show car, which won Best Concept at its 1993 Tokyo Motor Show debut.

A native of Pasadena, California, he graduated from his hometown’s Art Center College of Design with a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation Design.