UPES School of Design on Feb 28 celebrated the fusion of art, engineering, and automotive design with renowned automotive designer Maurizio Corbi for ‘L’Arte Dell’Auto – The Art of the Automobile’ in Delhi. Corbi, known for creating iconic Ferrari models like the F355, 456, 550, and California at Pininfarina, inspired guests with insights into his design journey. He also conducted an exhibition of his work and delivered a talk titled ‘My Design Journey’.
Maurizio Corbi’s visit to India was part of a broader initiative by the UPES School of Design to bring global industry leaders to the university to inspire and mentor the next generation of designers began in Dehradun on 22 February, where he conducted intensive hands-on workshops, engaging with students in live sketching sessions and providing direct mentorship. During his sessions, Corbi emphasised the importance of storytelling in design and how emerging technologies like generative AI and 3D printing are transforming the industry.
The event marked the culmination of Corbi’s current visit to UPES. It featured an exhibition of Maurizio Corbi’s work, an opening address by Prof. Bhaskar Bhatt, Dean, School of Design, and an inspiring talk by Corbi on his design journey. A panel discussion on the evolving world of automotive design brought together industry leaders such as Saurabh Singh, Senior Vice President at Maruti Suzuki India; Sivakumar S., Head of Industrial Design at Royal Enfield; Anuj Prasad, CEO of Desmania; Shantanu Jog, Studio Lead for Vehicle Design, Founding Designer at Ather Energy and Prof. Jayant Sankrityayana, Head of MVD at UPES Dehradun and Former Head of Tata Motors India Studio.
Speaking about his experience, Maurizio Corbi said, “It was a great experience interacting with the talented students at UPES. While they excel at problem-solving, I encourage them to express their artistic selves more through design, creating a strong visual language driven by passion and identity. Also, today, the discussions with industry peers on innovation and future trends have been insightful, and I hope these ideas inspire the next generation of designers to embrace both creativity and functionality.”
His visit to India marked a milestone for the UPES School of Design, providing a unique learning experience for students and industry professionals alike. Prof. Bhaskar Bhatt, Dean, School of Design UPES, said, “Having a designer of Maurizio Corbi’s calibre with us was a significant milestone. His extensive experience has offered our students priceless industry insights, strengthening our mission to integrate creativity with technology. We look forward to having more of such engagements that inspire and prepare our students to become leaders in the global design industry.”