Brief desription of the position:

The Design Trend Researcher analyzes market trends, competitor products, cultural shifts, and consumer behaviors to support early-phase design strategy. This role transforms insights into inspiration and briefing content for designers, supporting innovation and market relevance. It plays a key role in connecting global and local perspectives to guide future-oriented design decisions.

Key tasks:

1.Conduct trend research across design, technology, culture, and mobility:Explore global and local developments in design, lifestyle, fashion, and consumer behavior to identify future-relevant patterns. 

2.Analyze competitor vehicles and industry benchmarks regularly:Create structured benchmark overviews and visual breakdowns to highlight strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. 

3.Translate research insights into actionable design input:Support creative teams with moodboards, briefs, and strategic inputs derived from trend reports and field observations. 

4.Collaborate with designers, UX experts, and project leads:Align trend research with ongoing projects and ensure insights are integrated into early design phases and concept development. 

5.Create clear, visual presentations for leadership and global teams:Prepare trend summaries, consumer insights, and competitive reports for internal communication and VW Group design alignment. 

6.Monitor Chinese market behaviors and regional lifestyle shifts:Focus on local preferences, user expectations, and regional cultural signals to support market-specific design direction. 

7.Scout materials, CMF trends, and digital UI inspirations:Collect and classify innovative materials, finishes, and interface trends relevant to exterior, interior, and UX design. 

8.Document and update a structured design trend database:Maintain a growing archive of trend sources, reference vehicles, inspiration examples, and consumer behavior snapshots. 

9.Support workshops and design clinics with curated research input:Contribute content and context to creative workshops, design sprints, and strategic product definition sessions. 

10.Align local trend efforts with global strategy and share findings in regular exchanges with other VW design units. 

Qualification and skills required for the position:

1.Degree in Design, Trend Research, Sociology, or related fields.

2.Minimum 5 years of working experience in automotive industry for Design with proven record of sucessfull production and showcar experience. 

3.Background in design research, trend analysis, or cultural studies Strong visual and analytical skills to interpret and communicate insights Understanding of automotive design, lifestyle trends, and user behavior. Experience in creating visual reports, moodboards.

4.Briefs Fluent in English and Mandarin, German are a plus.