The Assessor Winter 2026 PDF - Flipbook - Page 14
JOURNAL
CAR DESIGN
Hanil Kim was awarded
the CDN Undiscovered
Talent Award.
COVENTRY
UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE’S
REVOLUTIONARY
CAR DESIGN
A Coventry University graduate has landed a dream job in the car industry after
scooping two global awards.
anil Kim, who
graduated from the
Automotive and
Transport Design
Course in July, won the
SAIC Design Challenge competition
before being presented with the
Undiscovered Talent Award at the
recent Car Design News People
Awards in London.
win, but also very proud. What makes it
extra special is the prize of a full-time
position with SAIC and I’m now
working as an automotive designer at
their studio in London, the same place
where I re昀椀ned my winning design. It’s
such an incredible opportunity.
H
SAIC, one of China’s largest car
companies, challenged designers to
come up with a concept for two MG
models, one of the brands which falls
under the 昀椀rm’s umbrella.
Hanil presented his designs for a car
called ‘Hug’ which re昀氀ects the needs of
parents and children to have their own
space and time, but also the value of
shared space as a family.
The design features a vehicle for adults
where they can relax or do work, while
a second vehicle designed for children
can be merged into the same car.
After seeing his design shortlisted
in July 2025, Hanil was given the
opportunity to re昀椀ne his design at the
SAIC design studio in London.
The CDN People Awards is a highly
prestigious event within the global
car design sector, supported by
world-class judges.
To win the Undiscovered Talent Award,
nominees had to demonstrate original
thought-provoking work, strong
technical skills, and an ability to design
with storytelling and brand identity in
mind.
“Winning the Undiscovered Talent
Award at the CDN People Awards was
great. 2025 really was a special year
for me. I’ve never been to an event like
that before in my life and meeting so
many designers and people within the
industry was unforgettable.
“I graduated in July from the
Automotive and Transport Design
course and really enjoyed my time
at university, it was really cool and
has certainly helped me a lot. My
professors were fantastic and I
particularly liked the chance to work
with partners in industry during my
second year, when I had the chance
to go to design studios in Leamington
Spa.”
SAIC’s annual design competition has
supported many Coventry University
Undergraduates over the past ten
years, on their professional journey in
Automotive Design.
The Coventry University Automotive
and Transport Design course team
have helped and guided numerous
students to successfully compete in
international design competitions over
the past decade, with many receiving
prestigious industry accolades.
The children’s section, which features
interactive glass and drawing pads, can
also be recon昀椀gured to form one single
space for the whole family to use.
Hanil, 25, said: “Being involved in
the SAIC Design Challenge has been
a unique experience. I was really
nervous about it when I knew I’d been
shortlisted and I was really surprised to
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THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | WINTER 2026 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
JOURNAL
