Many children like to draw cars, but very few grow up to design vehicles for a living. Xander Wang belongs to this latter, more exclusive category. An automotive and industrial designer with an engineering background, Wang is also an AI artist, diffusion model engineer, and car enthusiast. He is currently an automotive designer for the firm BYD America.
“I’ve always had a pure love and passion for cars,” says Xander. “As long as I can remember.”
Born and raised in China, Xander pursued a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the China University of Petroleum in Qingdao, a port city on the Yellow Sea. UPC is a key Chinese engineering university, and it was here that Xander honed his skills in manufacturing design. In 2013, he won first place in the annual Dongfeng Nissan Design Competition, an annual contest organized by the Chinese automobile manufacturing company.
But the otherside of the Pacific was calling. He then relocated to Pasadena, California from where he received his second bachelor’s in transportation design from the ArtCenter College of Design. For him, the transition from being an engineer to an automatic designer was a natural move.
Genesis and BYD
Xander’s background includes working as an automotive designer at Genesis Motor America in Irvine, California, where he participated in both the exterior and interior design of concepts for cars, as well as their production. Genesis Motor America is the US branch of the South Korean manufacturer of luxury cars, sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles. In this role, Xander began to put his knowledge to work, drawing on his competence with computer-aided design programs like SolidWorks, Alias Automotive, clay modeling, Photoshop rendering, as well as Rhino 3D.
“As an automotive designer, I always keep doing the design I like instead of giving up on the stuff that no company needs for now,” he says. This persistence and desire to do the job right not only led to success in his role at GMA, but also won him support among industry peers.
“I’ve made a lot of friends who share the same interests that I do,” says Xander, “and I have picked up a lot of new techniques from these connections.”
In 2022, Xander took on his current role as a designer at BYD North America, with a focus on vehicle concept development. BYD stands for Build Your Dreams. It’s the world’s largest maker of electric vehicles and batteries, as well as the leading manufacturer of battery-electric buses. More than 80,000 BYD buses have been sold to 200 cities across 50 countries on six continents.
At BYD America, Xander’s responsibilities include conducting market research to inform design directions; developing concept sketches and digital models; collaborating with engineering teams to align design with production; refining the materials used in vehicles, as well as color and trim; and working on prototyping and production validation. Xander has also designed a graphics package for RIDE Mobility, the bus division of BYD, which will be featured on electric buses and school buses in the US. Xander also worked on the company’s 2nd Gen Integrated Bus Cockpit, which received an iF Design Award.
At BYD America, Xander also worked on the company’s U8 SUV, which also received an iF Design Award, an annual award created in 1954, which is conferred by iF International Forum Design.
“My work at BYD includes concept development, vehicle styling, and collaboration with engineering teams to align design with production requirements,” Xander says. In undertaking projects, he also has to align his innovative designs with engineering constraints, while managing timely execution for production. “These experiences enhanced adaptability and problem-solving skills in complex design environments,” he says.
The Wandering Earth 2 and a Red Dot Award
In addition to automotive design, Xander participated in the fighter jet design for The Wandering Earth 2, a 2023 Chinese science fiction action-adventure film. In this project, Xander’s work contributed to the visual development of the film’s aerospace concepts. The Wandering Earth 2 was among the highest-grossing Chinese films, and its production received industry recognition. It grossed $589.5 million at the Box Office.
Xander calls the work his own personal “love letter” to the aviation industry.
“It’s hard to imagine how surreal it is to go from being a sci-fi fan to participating in movie design,” says Xander. For the firm, he also designed a modified version of an VTOL J-20 fighter jet, which he calls a “dream opportunity.”
“We worked on the aircraft’s exterior, structure, cockpit interface, and instructions for the actors in our spare time,” says Xander. “It was one of the most interesting design projects I’ve ever been a part of.”
Another intriguing successful project has been Phosphene, a set of toy cars, crafted to bridge the sensory gap for those with visual impairments. Each car is a tactile representation of a color, meaning that it is embodied by unique shapes and textures. The cars, manufactured by Phosphene Design Studio in Pasadena, are made from eco-friendly recycled plastic.
For Phosphene, Xander and his team received a coveted Red Dot Industrial Design Award last year. “We’re incredibly honored to have received the award, which is a recognition of the design and execution skills of my friends and me,” says Xander. He adds that the team has been encouraged by the accolade, and will now “continue to strive to create more interesting things.”
By Michael Carter
About the Author: Michael Carter is a seasoned journalist and technology writer specializing in automotive innovation and industrial design. With over a decade of experience covering advancements in electric vehicles, AI-driven design, and cross-disciplinary engineering, he has contributed to various international publications. Michael is particularly interested in the intersection of sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and design aesthetics, making him a keen observer of industry trends and breakthrough
