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Private company

DesignworksUSA

Logo: Designworks, A BMW Group Designworks, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

BMW owned creative consultancy

Designworks is a global creative consultancy owned by BMW and based in Santa Monica, California, United States. Designworks has two further studios, in Munich, Germany and Shanghai, China. Established independently in 1972 by Chuck Pelly, it became a wholly owned BMW Group subsidiary in 1995, and was instrumental in the design of the BMW XL Sports Activity Vehicle and the BMW 5 Series.2 It was founded by Charles Pelly.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1972Founded1

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DesignworksUSA Newbury Park
Photo: TOLocal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons5

Designworks is a global creative consultancy owned by BMW and based in Santa Monica, California, United States. Designworks has two further studios, in Munich, Germany and Shanghai, China. Established independently in 1972 by Chuck Pelly, it became a wholly owned BMW Group subsidiary in 1995, and was instrumental in the design of the BMW XL Sports Activity Vehicle and the BMW 5 Series. Other development projects at Designworks have included the BMW electric car, BMW 8 Series (E31) seat, BMW 3 Series (E46), BMW Z8, BMW 7 Series interior, and BMW 100- and 1200 Touring motorcycles.2

The story

Founded by Charles Pelly in 1972.1

The design studio was founded in 1972 by designer Charles Pelly with the name DesignworksUSA (renamed Designworks in 2015). The company began in Malibu Canyon with three designers. Early customers included Hyster and the Otis Elevator Company.

In 1978, the company expanded and moved to Van Nuys, and set up its first sister studio, D2, in Detroit. In 1986, Designworks designed the seats for the BMW 8 Series (E31), which was the company's first involvement with BMW. In the same year, the company moved to Agoura. In 1988, Designworks moved to Newbury Park, and began designing for Nokia, Compaq, Siemens and Adidas.

From Wikipedia’s article on Designworks, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led DesignworksUSA, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Subsidiaries and ownership

Owners

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1972Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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