interview by John Grafman
The Ford Flex isn’t the same old Ford we’ve come to know. The interior is no less noteworthy than the exterior. Both styling and material are not what we would expect from a Ford people mover. Ford interior designer Anthony Prozzi sheds some light on his influences and what sets the Flex apart from the rest of the pack.
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ADO: How did you initially get involved in automotive design?
Anthony Prozzi: Well it was a being at the right place and time sort of thing – I was a student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY where I met Carl Olsen, who was the transportation dean of design at CCS – he introduced me to automotive design and I owe an enormous debt of gratitude.
ADO: In what way, if any, did your background in fashion design come into play with the Flex, and other products?
AP: when you break design down to its core – regardless of what you’re creating, the principles are the same.
Fashion gave me a six sense for detail. It also taught me a lot about delighting customers. I can utilize those learnings in automotive design and have in the Flex. Look at the use of luxury materials, appropriate decoration, comfort and flexibility in Flex’s interior.
NEW YORK, NY. May 21, 2008ÑThe all new 2009 Ford Flex on the streets of New York during the initial media ride and drive. Photo by: Sam VarnHagen/Ford Motor Co. (05/21/08)
ADO: Do you still have a chance to get over to New York still? Was it a big lifestyle change leaving the “Big Apple” for Motown?
AP: Hey, there isn’t any city like NYC – do I miss it – absolutely.
But the world has definitely become a smaller place, I’m very fortunate that I can hop a plane for an hour and be in the Big Apple.
Detroit has an amazing edge to it – as well as incredible design – I live in a home designed by Mies vander Rohe, I don’t think I would be able to find that in any other city.
ADO: There are several aspects that set the Flex interior apart from what we see in other Ford people movers like the company’s SUVs. What ones do you feel are the most striking?
AP: I believe Flex provides a completely new alternative to transporting seven passengers. It opens up an entire range of opportunities for customers. It breaks out of the stereotypic notion of a people mover, by creating a design that is actually appealing. There are no trade-offs with the Flex. It offers best-in-class attributes — flexibility, technology, materials, and performance — in a vehicle with attitude.
2009 Ford Flex Limited: New Ford Flex full-size crossover is the first vehicle of its kind with a bold design, striking interior and seven-passenger seating for families. (05/15/08)
ADO: The Flex is a step up in material quality from the Mustang and Edge. Are better quality materials a conscious decision that will spread across the entire Ford model line, or do you expect material choices still be handled on a case-by-case basis?
AP: The price of entry regardless of vehicle are quality materials – it’s the designers’ responsibility to realize where you will get the most impact in placement of that material. Obviously a vehicle that costs $12000 can not have the same liberties as a $30000 vehicle, so its up to the designer to realize where the consumer will receive the most benefits in terms of materials, etc. We used our resources in areas customers focus on, like premium leather, a hi-tech center stack, and class-exclusive amenities like the refrigerator.
ADO: Where did you draw you inspiration from on the Flex? What are some of the competitors Ford was taking aim at, and do you feel the goal was achieved?
AP: Designers get inspiration everywhere. And as a community, designers are working together — across disciplines and around the globe. Graphic elements are shared between fashion, furniture, appliances and architecture. What we all share is our honest desire to give great beauty to function.
2009 Ford Flex: New Ford Flex full-size crossover is the first vehicle of its kind with a bold design, striking interior and seven-passenger seating for families. (04/04/07)
ADO: What other products or inspiration do you draw ideas from?
AP: I draw inspiration from what surrounds me – as I mentioned earlier, the world truly has become a smaller place – I don’t find it uncommon to discuss a Jean Nouvel skyscraper being built in NYC with an email pen pal in Shanghai or have a friend in Dubai tell me about Zaha Hadid’s proposal for an art center.
But at the center of any great product there is always a good story and I feel it’s at that point where I pull inspiration.
ADO: If you could give a gold star to one other specific product (non-Ford) that deserves special recognition, who would get the award and for what?
2009 Ford Flex: New Ford Flex full-size crossover is the first vehicle of its kind with a bold design, striking interior and seven-passenger seating for families. (04/04/07)
AP: I’m a huge fan of Zaha Hadid’s architecture. She has broken though so many concepts on the definition of space and how to define it for a modern world – so a gold star goes to her.
Also, any product that’s designed with a conscience gets a nod from me.
Anthony Prozzi at Greystone Mansion
