People: Toyota’s CALTY Design Research announces executive changes

Toyota’s CALTY Design Research will be led by two executives, each responsible for an area of CALTYs design operation.

Kevin Hunter, who has been with the group for over 42 years and president for 18 years, has been appointed as executive design director.

Hunter will continue to oversee CALTY’s Ann Arbor design studio in Michigan, with a focus on Toyota’s North American product development and production design, working with operations in Japan and North America. He will also serve as an executive advisor to CALTY.

Ian Cartabiano, former vice president of Advanced Design CALTY has been promoted to president.

Cartabiano will oversee the Advanced Design Studio in Newport Beach in California, working with TMC for both Toyota and Lexus brand concepts. He began his career at CALTY in 1997 and has held several positions including studio chief designer.

Both Hunter and Cartabiano will report to TMC’s chief branding officer and head of design, Simon Humphries.

More to come…