Mayer expands role
T. Jon Mayer to head up Bentley exterior design
T. Jon Mayer takes on an expanded role at Bentley, adding head of exterior design to his head of design operations position. Meanwhile, Domen Rucigaj has turned up at Porsche as head of exteriors
Moves are afoot at Bentley with T. Jon Mayer moving to head up the exterior design team while retaining his role as head of design operations. The position was held by Domen Rucigaj who recently joined Porsche as head of exterior design.
Mayer joined Bentley in July 2024 as head of UX and design operations after 13 years in various roles, including VP of exterior design, at Volvo. Longstanding interior design chief Darren Day will take over the running of UX, bringing his formal job title to: "head of interior design and UX design and innovation."
In Mayer, Bentley has a skilful and well-respected exterior design leader who worked closely with Maximilian Missoni on the Volvo Concept Coupe, which eventually became the Polestar 1. The designer also helped reinvent the Swedish OEM's exterior design language with the 2019 Volvo S60, V60 and V60 Cross Country models, moving the carmaker into new territory in terms of desirability and curb appeal.
At Bentley, Mayer’s role has focused on user experience and the smooth running of the design team, a role he will continue to play.
Meanwhile, former exterior design chief Domen Rucigaj has joined Porsche, another premium brand within the Volkswagen AG portfolio, as head of exterior design. Rucigaj’s most recent work for the luxury British marque includes the aggressive Bentley Supersports limited edition and the EXP 15 concept that radically changed the established front face design language.
Mayer will undoubtedly look to evolve the exterior design for Bentley going forward, but his track record of producing concepts and production cars with great proportions and refined surfacing bode well.
