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.
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.
Contact Me
Get in touch today for additional info on the latest designs at rhoadesdesign-intl.
Mission Viejo, California, USA
+1 949 878 2838