Women on Top

DESIGNER MICHELLE CHRISTENSEN TACKLES SOME OF AUTO INDUSTRY'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES -- FIRST THE ACURA NSX; NOW KARMA

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Monday, June 26, 2023
Newness, Road, Culture, Visual language, Acura, Honda NSX, Woman, Human, Research, Creativity, Thought, NSX, ArtCenter College of Design, Engineering, Infiniti, Women on Top, Road & Track, University of Kentucky College of Design, Rest, Glass, Female, Motor Trend, Toy

IRVINE, Calif., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelle Christensen, the vice president, global design for southern California ultra-luxury carmaker Karma, became the auto industry's first female lead exterior designer of a supercar when she directed the 2017 remodel of the iconic Acura NSX. Christensen's current Karma assignment parallels her work on that second-generation NSX hybrid vehicle, where she pulled from the original NSX and used updated styling to enhance engineering, all of which led to earning the 2017 "Performance Car of the Year" from Road & Track.

Key Points: 
  • I'm working with an amazing Karma design team to extract Karma's unique character, create some newness and elevate the brand to shine on its own.
  • We are tapping into what makes our brand special, turning up the volume on those specifics and distinguishing our vehicles as America's ultra-luxury brand."
  • "Michelle's work at Acura was groundbreaking in how the design concept served as a physical manifestation of the brand thesis.
  • "The auto industry needs more women – especially their unique voice, perspectives and talents," she says.