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Ian Cartabiano
Automotive Designer based in the United States
Ian Cartabiano is a prominent figure in automotive design, currently serving as the Vice President of Advanced Design at Calty Design Research, Inc., which is Toyota's advanced research and development center in North America.1
Career Highlights
Cartabiano has had a long and successful career within Toyota Design. He joined Calty Design Research immediately after graduating from Art Center College of Design in 1997.1 Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous high-profile projects and has held various leadership positions:
- Chief Designer of the Lexus LF-LC concept vehicle and Toyota C-HR
- Designed the exterior of the current Toyota Camry during a two-year stint at Toyota's Design HQ in Japan
- Studio Chief Designer at Calty, where he led projects like Toyota Concept I, FT-4X, and Lexus LF-1 Limitless
- President of Toyota Europe Design Development (ED2) from 2018 to 2022
Notable Achievements
Cartabiano has been instrumental in creating designs that have significantly impacted the perception of both Toyota and Lexus brands. Some of his notable works include:
- Toyota Aygo X
- Aygo X Prologue Concept
- Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept
- Advanced design for the Toyota bZ4X
- Multiple vehicles for the Tokyo BEV event in December 2021, including the award-winning Toyota EV Compact Cruiser
Background and Influences
Cartabiano's passion for car design started at a young age. He comes from a family with a strong background in design:
- His father was a toy designer
- His mother was a painter
- His grandfather worked as an aeronautical designer
This creative environment undoubtedly influenced his career path and contributed to his success in the automotive design industry.1
Ian Cartabiano's expertise and leadership in automotive design have made him a respected figure in the industry, contributing significantly to Toyota and Lexus's design language and innovation over the years.
