Azerbaijani signature in the global automotive ındustry – Interview with car designer Orkhan Babayev
Azerbaijanis living and working abroad achieve significant success in various fields and represent Azerbaıjan with dignity. One such successful compatriot is automotive designer Orkhan Babayev, who is active in Germany. His professional journey, which began in Azerbaijan and led him to Germany’s prestigious design schools, has taken him to leading companies in the global automotive industry. Having collaborated with renowned brands such as Audi, SEAT, Honda, and BMW, Azerbaijani compatriot currently works as an Exterior Designer at the FAW Advanced Design Studio in Munich.
In an interview with AZERTAC, Orkhan Babayev spoke about his work in automotive design, his career in Germany, and the future of the profession.
— Could you please tell us briefly about yourself and your educational journey? What stages did you go through before starting to work in automotive design in Germany?
I was born and raised in Azerbaijan. Since childhood, I have had a great passion for both drawing and cars. Following my parents’ advice, I initially entered the Faculty of Economics, but after two years I realized that I wanted to dedicate my life to the field I truly loved. So, I left my studies and turned toward automotive design.
Through my research, I learned that Pforzheim University in Germany is one of the world’s strongest higher education institutions in the field of Transportation Design. Getting accepted there was very difficult. After completing language courses in Germany, I submitted my portfolio. Although I passed the portfolio stage the first time, I failed the entrance exam. I worked hard on myself for six months and on my second attempt, I successfully passed both the exam and the interview and was admitted to the university.
During my studies, I participated in internship programs at companies such as Audi, SEAT, and Honda. Later, I carried out my diploma project in cooperation with Audi. After the pandemic, I worked at BMW. Since 2023, I have been working as an Exterior Designer at the FAW Advanced Design Studio in Munich.
— What made you choose the field of automotive design? Did you have an interest in this area since childhood, or did it develop later?
My interest in this field began in childhood. I have always had a great passion for cars and loved drawing. During my school years, I spent most of my free time drawing car sketches. Over time, I realized that automotive design is the profession that perfectly combines my two passions — creativity and technology. For me, a car is not just a means of transportation, but a product that creates emotions, connects with people, and incorporates the technologies of the future. That is why I took the risk and left economics to focus entirely on automotive design. Looking back today, I believe that was one of the best decisions of my life.
— How does the process of developing a car model work at the company where you currently work? What does a designer’s daily job involve?
As I mentioned, I currently work as an Exterior Designer at the FAW Advanced Design Studio in Munich. New car projects usually start with research and the concept phase, then develop through sketches, digital 3D models, and physical models. Close cooperation between designers, engineers, and modelers is of great importance in this process.
Based on my experience, I can say that one of the key factors for a successful design process is strong and visionary design leadership. I have observed this not only at FAW, but also at companies like Audi, SEAT, Honda, and BMW. Leaders who provide the right direction play a decisive role in the success of projects. Currently, this role is carried out by Giles Taylor, Vice President of Design at FAW Group. Giles Taylor, the former Chief Designer of Rolls-Royce, is one of the most influential figures in the world of automotive design and leads our company’s design strategy.
In April this year, I worked as the lead exterior designer on the “Hongqi Tiangong S Concept” project, which was presented at the Beijing Auto Show. The project was developed in parallel by studios in Munich, Shanghai, and Changchun. Thanks to the vision and strategic direction of Giles Taylor, the concept I worked on was selected and showcased at the Beijing Auto Show. I believe that even in this era of rapid development of artificial intelligence, every role in the design process remains important. At the same time, the role of lead designers who guide the project is particularly significant. In recent years, working under the leadership of Giles Taylor, I have gained valuable experience in the strategic side of design, project presentation, and management of large-scale programs. Working with such a high-level design leader is both a great responsibility and one of the most valuable experiences in my career.
— What are the most important criteria in modern automotive design?
The main goal in modern automotive design is to create the right balance between aesthetics, functionality, safety, aerodynamics, and technology. It is important to create a beautiful-looking car, but that alone is not enough. The design must also meet safety standards, be aerodynamically efficient, and incorporate modern technologies. At the same time, preserving the brand’s identity and creating an emotional impact are among the designer’s key tasks. Successful design is born from the harmony of all these factors.
— As a successful young Azerbaijani working in Germany, a leader in the automotive industry, what challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
One of the main challenges I faced throughout my career was essentially building my path in this field on my own. In Europe, there are strong professional communities of designers from various countries, but the number of Azerbaijani specialists in automotive design is very small. Therefore, I had to research many things myself, gain experience, and shape my professional development through my own efforts. On the other hand, I encountered very high competition both during the admission process to Pforzheim University and while working at companies such as Audi, SEAT, Honda, and BMW. I managed to overcome these challenges thanks to patience, continuous self-improvement, and dedication to my goal. In addition to professional difficulties, as an Azerbaijani living abroad, I also faced certain bureaucratic obstacles. Especially in the early years of my studies and career in Germany, visa, residence permit, and various administrative procedures required considerable time and energy. While Germany has a strong system, its complex bureaucratic processes are well known to everyone.
Today, we are witnessing a change in the global balance in the automotive industry. While the main centers of automotive design were previously concentrated in Germany and other European countries, China has now become one of the world’s leading powers in this field. Since I work at a Chinese automotive group, I travel to China regularly and directly feel the positive impact of the developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in recent years. In particular, thanks to the successful foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev, the strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and China and the introduction of visa-free travel opportunities have significantly facilitated my professional activities. This creates a major advantage in terms of time and allows for more flexible and efficient work on international projects. As someone who has dealt with bureaucratic procedures for many years, I clearly see the practical benefits of these changes in my daily work.
Looking back today, I realize that all these difficulties have given me valuable experience. Currently, I participate in design projects for vehicles used at the state level, and I have had the opportunity to work on cars used by the Chinese state leadership. One of the particularly memorable moments for me is my involvement in the design of current and future models of the Hongqi brand, which were used by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva during their official visits to China. Considering the path I have taken from Azerbaijan, this is one of the moments that holds special significance and brings me great satisfaction in my professional career. Successfully representing Azerbaijan in high-level, elite international environments is always a source of pride. I felt this once again during the numerous interviews and presentations at the recent Beijing Auto Show, the world’s largest auto exhibition. It is an immense source of pride for me as an Azerbaijani to see my signature on the “2025 BMW iX” model and the “Hongqi Tiangong S-Concept” model — designs I contributed to that were selected and put into production. I will always strive to represent Azerbaijan successfully in my future career as well.
— What advice would you give to young Azerbaijanis who want to build a career abroad and work at international companies?
First of all, I would advise them to be patient. Success in this field does not come quickly. It is possible to receive many rejections, but this should not be a reason to stop. I recommend that young people constantly research, prepare a strong portfolio, and work hard on themselves. Skills in drawing, Photoshop, digital visualization, and 3D modeling are especially important. Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly today and new tools are emerging. However, the most important thing for a designer is to deeply understand forms, surfaces, proportions, and three-dimensional space. Strong 3D thinking skills provide a significant advantage both in digital modeling and when working with clay models. Most importantly, believe in your dreams and never give up in the face of difficulties. My path was not easy either, but thanks to persistent work, I am now working in the profession I love. I believe that every young person who wants to succeed in this field can do so.
