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RHOADES DESIGN INTERNATIONAL

Automotive - Product - Mobility Design Consultancy

 

Explore my site below to find out more information, or simply get in touch if you have questions.

RHOADESDESIGN-International Team

Creative Automotive and Product Design Professional

I strive to push the limits of creative thinking. Everything I have done as an award-winning, highly experienced international Industrial Designer emphasizes a modern, unconventional approach to product design problem-solving. Whether it is thinking about and developing new consumer products or designing new methods of mobility, everything I undertake stresses the aesthetical impact of the product and how it impacts the Brand. My personal mission is to provide the most beautiful design solutions in the world, which are based on my 40+ years of design education and global design experience.

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Christopher Rhoades

Design Director- CDO (Chief Design Officer)

Graduating from both the Art Center College of Design and University of Washington with advanced degrees in Product and Automotive design, Chris has more than 30 years of international and domestic experience in the automotive design industry. The majority of his career was spent working as a Chief Designer for Mercedes-Benz Design. However he also worked in the commercial vehicle segment where he was responsible for many of the heavy trucks we see today on US highways.

International Experience- Formal Training

Background Details- Christopher Rhoades

September 2021-Current

Chery Europe GmbH - Frankfurt, Germany

Head of Design-Director, Responsible for Exterior Design, Interior Design, Color and Materials Design, and CAS Modeling. Additional responsibilities include Design Strategy for the European Market, Design Language/DNA establishment for various Chery Brands and sub-Brands. These include OMODA, JAECOO, Chery-Exeed, and TIGGO

August 2004 - January 2021

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development of North America, Inc - California, USA

Worked as Chief Designer/ Assistant Manager in Carlsbad, CA. Duties included Creative Design, Project Management, Personnel Management, Design Studio Operations, CAD/ Clay Modeling, Engineering, IT and UX/UI Design.

October 1998 - August 2004

Daimler Trucks of North America, LLC - Portland, Oregon USA

Senior Designer/ Project Manager in the Freightliner design studio, Portland, Oregon. Responsible for many commercial vehicles, Vans, and Trucks. Most notable was the Freightliner Cascadia Class-8 semi-truck, where I was led on both exterior and interior design.

July 1987 - August 1998

Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design -  Stuttgart, Germany

He was the very first American Designer hired into the Mercedes-Benz design studios in Sindelfingen, Germany. Founding members of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design. Created the Exterior and interior designs for more than 9 fully functioning show cars.

September 1984 - December 1987

Art Center College of Design; BS (honors) Transportation Design

Advanced degree curriculum specializing in automotive industrial design. Education included an internship with General Motors design.

September 1981 - June 1984

University of Washington, Seattle; BFA Industrial Design

Specialized in consumer Product Design and Business fundamentals. The program also involved many years of Architectural design courses.

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Contact Me

Get in touch today for additional info on the latest designs at rhoadesdesign-intl.

Mission Viejo, California, USA

+1 949 878 2838

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