Automotive Design flawlessly strikes a delicate balance across the seemingly distinctive fields of engineering, art, psychology and branding.

Kshiteej Kuwar, our next pathbreaker, Automotive Designer at Deltic, specialises in electric mobility, exterior styling, CMF strategy and product development across two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and urban mobility platforms.

Kshiteej talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his several memorable projects developing futuristic scooter and motorcycle concepts with detailed attention to rims, lighting signatures, branding, and body surfaces.

For students, a career in automotive design requires skills such as observation, creativity, problem-solving, communication, visualization, patience, and attention to detail. 

Kshiteej,  Your background? 

I grew up with a strong interest in design, vehicles, and visual creativity. From a young age, I was always drawn toward how products are shaped — especially motorcycles, scooters, wheels, lighting, and futuristic automotive concepts. 

Along with academics, I was deeply interested in creative thinking, visualization, branding, and understanding why certain designs feel premium or emotionally appealing. 

My family background taught me discipline and practical thinking, but my personal curiosity pushed me more toward creative and design-oriented work. 

What did you do for graduation/post graduation? 

I did my B.Des Transportation Design from UID

I pursued my education while continuously developing my interest in design, visualization, branding, and automotive concepts. Alongside formal studies, I spent a lot of time learning independently through observation, experimentation, digital tools, concept development, and studying real-world products. 

What made you choose this career? 

What attracted me most was the ability to turn imagination into something people can actually experience visually and emotionally. 

Key influencers included automotive brands, futuristic product designs, premium motorcycle culture, and modern mobility concepts. 

One major turning point was realizing that design is not just “making things look good.” It is problem-solving, storytelling, engineering awareness, psychology, branding, and functionality combined together. 

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? 

I chose the Unitedworld Institute of Design because it offered one of India’s dedicated Transportation Design programs with strong industry exposure. I wanted to learn automotive sketching, ergonomics, CAD, clay modelling, CMF, and engineering awareness in a focused environment.

I began building my portfolio seriously after deciding to pursue Transportation Design. Continuous sketching, visualization, digital rendering, and concept development helped me secure internships and later full-time roles.

My internships were earned through a strong portfolio, consistent practice, and proactive applications. At Zitto Motors I worked on an electric café racer motorcycle focusing on components and CMF. At DEXCA Atelier, I designed a futuristic Formula-E cockpit exploring ergonomics, HMI integration, packaging, and visualization. A Formula E car is a battery electric open-wheel auto racing car made according to the regulations of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to take part in the FIA Formula E Championship. 

Then my internship at Baaz Bikes strengthened my research and user-centred design approach. Blinq Mobility gave me my first full-time opportunity designing an urban EV microcar. OPG Mobility expanded my responsibilities to production-oriented motorcycles, scooters, and three-wheelers. At DELTIC, I now lead exterior styling, CMF strategy, CAS modelling, and brand design for EV platforms.

Initially, I did not have a perfectly planned roadmap. Most careers evolve through experimentation and consistency. 

My approach was: 

• Learn continuously 

• Improve visual taste 

• Practice execution 

• Study real products 

• Focus on details others ignore 

Formal education helped build structure, but self-learning and consistent practice played an equally important role in my growth.

How did you get your first break? 

My first opportunities came from showing work consistently and improving quality over time. In creative fields, people trust what they can see. Your work becomes your introduction before you even speak. 

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them? 

Challenge 1: Self-doubt and uncertainty about career direction. 

Solution: I kept learning and improving instead of overthinking every decision. 

Challenge 2: Balancing creativity with practicality. 

Solution: I learned that good design is not only artistic — it must also make sense technically, functionally, and commercially. 

Challenge 3: Perfectionism. 

Solution: I understood that endless polishing without execution slows growth.

Where do you work now? 

DELTIC is my full-time role as Senior Automotive Designer. KLASAY is my independent design studio where I work with startups on automotive and industrial design, visualization, branding, and concept development.

I work in areas connected with design thinking, branding, visualization, concept development, and automotive-oriented creativity. 

Important skills include observation, creativity, problem-solving, communication, visualization, patience, and attention to detail. 

The best part of the work is turning ideas into something tangible and visually impactful. 

How does your work benefit society? 

I believe successful vehicle design balances aesthetics, engineering feasibility, manufacturability, and emotional appeal. Every surface should communicate purpose while creating a memorable identity.

Good design improves how people interact with products and environments. It can make products safer, more user-friendly, emotionally meaningful, and visually inspiring. 

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you. 

One memorable area of work has been developing futuristic scooter and motorcycle concepts with detailed attention to rims, lighting signatures, branding, and body surfaces. 

It taught me that strong design is built through hundreds of small improvements, not one big idea. 

Your advice to students based on your experience? 

• Don’t choose careers only because they are popular. 

• Build real skills, not just certificates.

• Learn how to think independently. 

• Be patient with growth. 

• Consistency matters more than motivation. 

• Observe deeply. 

• Stop waiting for perfect conditions before starting. 

Future Plans? 

I want to continue improving in design, branding, visualization, and automotive concept development while working on more refined, futuristic, and impactful ideas.


LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kshiteejkuwar
Behance: https://behance.net/kshiteejkuwar

Here are some of my selected sketches