Changes at Nissan Design

Nissan yesterday announced a series of changes within its higher-level design structure - with VPs responsible for design in Europe and America effectively swapping roles.

Alfonso Albaisa, who became VP of Design at Nissan Design Europe's London-based studio in 2007, will be going back to Nissan Design America's San Diego studio as VP of Design. It marks a return to the West Coast for Albaisa, who originally joined Nissan in 1988. Since then, the Cuban-American has worked on various projects − including the design of a yacht and a glider − and oversaw the creation of the Urge concept, Altima and 350Z among other vehicles during his previous stint in the San Diego-based facility.

Albaisa was previously director of the NDA studio from 2005, prior to working on projects in Japan and his subsequent appointment in London, where he influenced the creation of the recently revealed Juke and its concept precursor, the Qazana. He replaces Bruce Campbell, who is retiring from his position as VP of Design at NDA, after 31 years with Nissan.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Bruce for his passionate contribution to Nissan Design during his 31-year tenure since the establishment of NDA," said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's senior vice president and chief creative officer of design and brand management. "Although Bruce will be leaving NDA, he will continue to play a vital role as advisor for Nissan Global Design."

Campbell's influence upon Nissan in North America stretches far and wide. Having originally joined the company in 1980, he worked on numerous production and concept cars and trucks – most recently overseeing the design of the new Maxima, Rogue and 370Z as well the creation of the innovative ICON aircraft. He also had a hand in the design of Nissan's Farmington Hills facility (as did Albaisa) and reputedly sketched the company's new Nashville HQ in thumbnail form — so it will come as little surprise that when once asked in an interview what he would have done if he had not become a car designer, he replied "an architect".

Meanwhile, Victor Nacif, currently Vice President of Design Business Aspects at NDA, will replace Albaisa as Vice President of Design at Nissan Design Europe. Nacif joined NDA in 2004 and has been heavily involved in the Renault-Nissan alliance's joint design policy group.  A graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit; prior to joining Nissan, Nacif worked at Ford and PSA.

The changes will take effect from 1 April, 2010.

By Joe Simpson