Tesla loses two of its top car designers
Tesla, the pioneer of electric vehicles, has seen a major shift in its design team with the departure of two key figures. David Imai and Bernard Lee, both instrumental in shaping Tesla’s iconic vehicles, have left the company, signaling a significant change in its design leadership.
David Imai joined Tesla in 2011, when the company was still in its early stages, struggling to transition from the Roadster to a more mainstream electric vehicle, the Model S. Coming from a background in designing concept cars at General Motors, Imai quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Tesla’s Manager of Exterior and Interior Design. His work played a crucial role in shaping Tesla’s modern aesthetic, particularly the sleek and minimalist approach that has become a defining characteristic of the brand.
By 2019, Imai was promoted to Director of Design, overseeing various aspects of Tesla’s vehicle lineup, including the Model 3. His expertise in blending functionality with futuristic elegance helped Tesla stand out from other automakers, many of whom were still producing awkwardly designed EVs that lacked mainstream appeal.
Recently, Imai announced that he has left Tesla to join Arc Boats, a startup focused on electric watercraft. On LinkedIn, he expressed excitement about this new opportunity, stating that he hopes to bring his experience and passion for design to help Arc explore new frontiers. This transition marks a significant shift for Imai, moving from EVs to electric boats—a growing segment in sustainable transportation.
Bernard Lee: A Founding Member of Tesla’s Design Studio
While Imai’s departure is notable, Tesla has also lost another heavyweight in its design team—Bernard Lee. Lee has been with Tesla for over a decade and was one of the founding members of the company’s design studio alongside Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief Designer. He originally joined Tesla in 2008, bringing his experience from Mazda, where he had worked on exterior design.
Lee played a crucial role in shaping Tesla’s most important vehicles. His design credits include:
- Model 3 (Final Production) – 2017 (Principal Exterior Designer)
- Model S Refresh – 2016 (Principal Exterior Designer)
- Model X Prototype – 2012 (Principal Exterior Designer)
- 2nd Gen Tesla Roadster – 2017 (Supporting Exterior Designer)
- Model S Prototype – 2009 (Supporting Interior Designer)
After a brief departure in 2018 to teach at the Art Center College of Design, a well-known talent pipeline for automotive designers, Lee returned to Tesla in 2020. Upon his return, he contributed to:
- Model 3 (Highland) Standard & Performance – 2024
- Cyber Cab Demo & Production – 2024
- Model X Refresh – 2021
Despite his deep roots at Tesla, Lee recently updated his LinkedIn profile to confirm that he left the company in November 2024. His departure was not widely reported until now, adding to the growing list of experienced Tesla veterans moving on.
What This Means for Tesla’s Future
Losing two top designers in a short period is a big deal for any company, but for Tesla, it’s even more significant. Over the years, Tesla’s success hasn’t just been about innovation in battery technology or autonomous driving—it’s also been about design. Imai and Lee were part of the creative minds that made Tesla’s vehicles both futuristic and practical, a combination that helped the company stand out in an industry hesitant to embrace electric cars.
Their exit raises several questions:
- Will Tesla’s design language change? – With two key designers gone, will Tesla stick to its minimalist, sleek approach, or will it take a new design direction?
- Can Tesla retain top talent? – Over the past year, Tesla has seen a broader exodus of employees, particularly after a wave of layoffs that reportedly impacted morale. Is this a sign of deeper internal challenges?
- Who will take the reins? – While Tesla still has talented designers, losing two veterans who helped shape the company’s identity could leave a gap in leadership and vision.
Imai and Lee’s departure is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, Tesla has faced a wave of exits from various departments. Employees have cited reasons such as high-pressure work environments, strategic shifts, and layoffs that have affected morale. While Tesla continues to lead in EV innovation, its ability to retain and attract top-tier talent could impact its long-term success.
Despite these changes, Tesla is still a dominant force in the EV industry. The company’s upcoming next-gen vehicles, AI-driven features, and advancements in battery technology will likely keep it ahead of competitors. However, the loss of two of its most experienced designers could make its next lineup of vehicles look very different from what we’ve come to expect.
Tesla’s design team has been one of the driving forces behind its success, and the departure of David Imai and Bernard Lee is a reminder that even the biggest companies must constantly adapt. While it remains to be seen how this will impact Tesla’s future vehicle designs, one thing is clear—the company is entering a new era.
Will Tesla continue to dominate the EV market with its signature design language, or are we about to see a major aesthetic shift? Only time will tell, but for now, the departure of these two design pioneers marks the end of an era at Tesla.
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