Woman Designer Drives the Acura NSX to Success

Acura’s NSX “supercar” made its debut last year at the Detroit Auto Show and so did the leader behind the design. The NSX exterior design was created by 34 year-old Michelle Christensen, the first woman to ever lead a supercar design team.  Christensen’s sleek design for the NSX has given Acura cars a new name in the automotive industry from Utah to the East Coast, along with respect for women in the automotive industry. 

From Fashion to Cars

For Christensen, her passion for design first began when she was young and inspired by nature, architecture and fashion. She went from designing prom dresses in high school to being the first woman to lead the shape of a supercar. Christensen first showed interest in cars when she applied to the Pasadena Art Center College of Design’s automotive design program. She applied with no portfolio or former experience in car sketches, but that didn’t stop her from chasing her dreams. 

The Woman Behind the Design

Christensen joined the Acura design team after the revealing of the NSX concept at the Detroit auto show in 2012. The concept revolved around creating an “emotional, 3-D kind of feeling,” which Christensen quickly adopted as a goal to keep as a priority focus in her designs.

Her father was always working on muscle cars while she was growing up, having a heavy influence on her mindset as a designer. Christensen’s unique design past launched her career in the right direction, making her a successful design team leader for Acura cars to be sold in Utah and elsewhere.

Leading the Team to Success 

When designing Acura cars, Christensen decided that the halo car was a big responsibility and needed to stand out. Her approach to the project was to design it “like a sculpture. ” Her success drove the NSX to be one of the most unforgettable cars ever, making headlines from Utah to the West Coast. Christensen nailed the exterior design of the Acura NSX, and being only 34 years old, it’s safe to say we haven’t seen the last of her ambitious designs.

Alyssa Koenig is an automative writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Mike Hale Acura. Follow on Twitter.