We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Fonseca. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.
Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?
The car industry needs to prioritize designing for women. It’s time to move beyond the traditional “boys club” mentality and recognize that women are driving the industry forward as engineers, designers, and decision-makers. As a color and materials designer, I’m proud to be a part of that change through my work, but there’s still so much more to be done. That’s why I created Her Drive in Style, a YouTube show that offers fun and stylish car reviews aimed specifically at women. My goal is to make the car-buying process more approachable and empowering for women. To provide a platform for female car owners to share their passion for their vehicles. Whether you’re a seasoned car enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of cars, Her Drive in Style is for you. Lastly, because technology is making enormous strides the material is the interface to the latest technology, making the material the most important. As a color and materials designer, I make sure that the material used is not only appealing but, also functional for people’s busy lives. For instance, functional buttons are hidden behind a seamless piece of wood, or an interface screen tucked away, almost hidden in the instrument panel. As technology becomes more important to create seamless design, the material is likewise becoming extremely important.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My journey in automotive color and materials design really began from my upbringing in the small town of Clarkston, Michigan outside of Detroit. I was surrounded by the automotive industry growing up, which fueled my passion for creativity and cars. As a child, I sketched clothing, I designed my own prom dress and often created dresses for family members. This is what led me to pursue a degree in Fashion Design at Central Michigan University. Following my graduation, I discovered that my design aesthetic and knowledge can be applied beyond fashion, specifically in the automotive industry as a Color and Materials Designer. An internship exposed me to automotive Color, Materials and Finishes or CMF design. This initiated my two-decade-long career in the automotive industry, where I worked with Mazda North America in Southern California and an automotive supplier in Shanghai, China, where I lived for four and a half years. Afterward, I moved to Nissan Design North America, then I was asked by Nissan to work at their global headquarters in Japan. Last year I decided to establish my own company called Chroma Color Studio. My mission is to change the world through color. As a Color and Materials Design Expert, I can share my expertise in color design to other industries and show them how hiring an automotive color designer can make a real positive impact to their bottom line. Automotive CMF designers are trained to predict color trends years ahead of time, which can be monumental for other industries.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My hard work and designs paid off, winning The Eyes On Design Award for the Nissan Vmotion 2.0, applying the best use of color and materials. When I relocated with Nissan in 2017 to Japan, after these successful projects behind me, I was excited to be a part of a global team. I quickly realized I was breaking new ground as the first female manager. I knew then I had to prove myself even more. Traditional executives were initially intimidated by my confidence and bold voice. But, with time, I found my footing and began to make my mark. As I look back, I realize that I was breaking down barriers about how a strong female is viewed in Japanese corporate culture. My time in Japan gifted me with resilience and flexibility in my work, design, and management style.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Empowering women through creativity and my passion for cars, my mission and goals are three-fold. Firstly, I want to encourage women to pursue their creative passions and turn it into a career. When your job is your passion, it no longer feels like work. Secondly, I believe in the power of color and how it can change the world. A simple hue can create a smile and brighten someone’s day, while also symbolizing peace and friendship. Lastly, I want to make cars less intimidating for women and empower them to confidently walk into a dealership and choose a car they love. Traditional car reviews on YouTube are often uninspiring, with men talking about horsepower and wheel size. Her Drive in Style was created to bridge the gap and offer female-centric reviews. Women care about design aesthetics, safety, sustainability, and functionality. My reviews focus on these aspects, such as interior materials, storage space, and color options. As a creative, I draw inspiration from everywhere – vintage cars, nail polish, and even lowriders. I’m passionate about spreading awareness of the importance of color and materials design in all products, not just in the automotive industry. My hope is to encourage people to experiment with bold colors and experience the impact it can have on their mood and outlook. In summary, my mission is to empower women through creativity and cars, and to share my passion for color and materials design with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chromacolorstudio.com
- Instagram: nicolefonseca_design
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nicolefonsecathecolorconcierge
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@herdriveinstyle3615
- Other: https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/nissan-vmotion-2-0-wins-eyeson-design-award-for-best-concept-vehicle-at-north-american-international-auto-show I also answered another question if you wanted to use. Q: What sets you apart from others? I’m passionate about the power of color. How I can create unique designs from my passion is what sets me apart. I’ve learned color can instantly change one’s mood and attitude. My inspiration comes from anything and everything, as trends are all around us. From my nails and nail polish to the pigments creating new paints, I constantly draw inspiration from my surroundings. I love experimenting with different styles of fashion and pops of color, as I have a gift for creating meaningful designs with the right materials and hues. My unique approach involves using color design storytelling, bringing my clients’ visions to life. Color can make a profound impact, sending messages and making people feel confident, bold, luxurious, and so on. I take pride in creating spectacular designs that truly make a statement, and I’m always excited to work with clients to share my passion for color.