Who's Where: Alfonso Albaisa appointed Nissan Design Director for Global Passenger Vehicles and Electric Vehicles

Alfonso Albaisa has been appointed as Nissan's Design Director for Global Passenger Vehicles and Electric Vehicles, a job that will see him move back to Japan.

Albaisa joined Nissan Design America almost 24 years ago and has worked on vehicles in every category and on both interior and exterior projects. He has also worked on customized super yacht design and architecture, one of his particular passions in life.

As Nissan Design America's Director his team was responsible for the current Maxima and outgoing Altima. He was then promoted in 2007 to Vice President of Design of Nissan Design Europe.

Under his tutelage his team designed and created the Nissan Juke along with an updated version of the Qashqai, while Matt Weaver created the Qazana under Albaisa's direction. Another project that Albaisa oversaw was the ‘Cube Store' project in Brick Lane, London.

This team created, in collaboration with celebrated Parisian fashion emporium Collette, a retail space and exhibition by day and an event centre by night. The venue saw over 15 events take place over a six-week season of design, art, music, fashion and film themed experiences.

Returning to Nissan Design America as Vice President of Design in 2010, his team has helped influence the direction of future Infiniti and Nissan design language, indicated by Nissan Ellure and most recently by the Infiniti Emerg-E.

By Rufus Thompson