Weiwei He
Originally from Chongqing, China, Weiwei He moved to London to do a master’s programme in industrial and product design at Central Saint Martins (UAL), which she completed in 2004. She embarked on her career at the design consultancy Tangerine, a recognised leader in transport design. Today, she is the director of this world-renowned company.
After two decades in the design industry, Weiwei has established a reputation as a visionary and a versatile design leader, driving transformative solutions in the consumer products, automotive, rail and aircraft cabin interiors sectors. Her expertise in cross-sector innovation has been pivotal in redefining passenger experiences within the mobility sector. Weiwei has successfully led and collaborated on high-profile projects with internationally recognised partners such as Amtrak, Cathay Pacific, CRRC, Deutsche Bahn, Talgo and Volkswagen. As a respected thought leader, she is a sought-after speaker at global trade and design conferences and has served on prestigious award juries, including the Rail Interiors Awards and Design Week Awards.
Red Dot in an interview with Weiwei He
You specialise in mobility design. What challenges do you foresee for your industry in the years to come?
One of the key challenges I see in the mobility design sector – especially in rail and air transport design – is dwindling production capacity. Post-COVID demand spikes, together with ongoing supply-chain disruptions, have significantly increased vehicle delivery times. These delays make it difficult to implement highly customised interior solutions without making lead times even longer. Designers need to adopt more pragmatic, modular and intelligent approaches that balance exceptional passenger experiences with manufacturability and efficiency. Increasingly stringent legal requirements represent another central challenge. In the 2000s, it took around 18 months to take a new seat design from concept to certification. Today, it takes at least twice as long. This extended certification process is an enormous hindrance to innovation, and it’s slowing down the time to market for new ideas and experiences. Navigating this regulatory landscape while maintaining creative momentum will be a crucial test for designers.
Are fundamental changes in personal transport likely to happen? And to what extent will this have an impact on public transport design?
Electric cars, electric aircraft and autonomous driving will fundamentally change the transport landscape. Autonomous vehicles, in particular, will offer efficient direct connections and thus represent a strong alternative to traditional public transport. At the same time, these technologies will cause a paradigm shift. They will call the traditional model of car ownership into question by blurring the boundaries between private and public transport. In the long term, I believe we will see a complementary relationship emerge – with public transport and individual mobility solutions working together to provide passengers with a more seamless and connected travel experience. Design will play a crucial role in making this work by ensuring comfort, continuity and convenience across the various modes of transport.
In your opinion, what factors are generally decisive in good air and rail transport design?
I think the most important factor is the achievement of a seamless, user-centred and stress-free passenger experience. Today’s travellers don’t just want to be taken from A to B. They want a smooth, comfortable and connected journey, from the moment they leave home until the moment they arrive at their destination.
This means air and rail transport services have to be integrated into a more comprehensive mobility ecosystem that extends to the “first and last mile” – i.e. travel to and from railway stations and airports. Clear information, straightforward transfers, intuitive routing and integrated ticketing across all modes of transport are a must.
The passenger experience also plays an important role. A thoughtfully designed cabin interior that balances aesthetics and functionality can significantly improve the travel experience.
Have passenger and traveller requirements fundamentally changed?
Definitely. Today’s travellers expect more than just efficiency. They’re looking for a seamless, inclusive and sustainable journey. There’s no getting around accessibility these days, and we are seeing growing demand for designs that allow all users to travel in comfort and dignity. Sustainability is also coming to the fore because travellers are actively seeking lower-emission options and more eco-friendly ways to travel.
Digital convenience, personal space and well-being are no longer luxuries; they’re the norm. To remain relevant, transport providers have to offer services that are not only efficient but also passenger-centred and sustainable.
You mentioned demand for greater sustainability. Has this given the entire mobility sector a new boost?
I’d say so, yes. Sustainability has become a core expectation – of passengers, regulators and all supply chain members. This collective demand is driving momentum as the entire industry moves towards greener, smarter and more sustainable solutions.
Have you been surprised by any recent developments in the mobility sector?
One of the most surprising and inspiring developments is Air New Zealand’s “Skynest” concept, which introduces lie-flat sleep pods for economy class passengers. It’s a bold move that challenges long-established norms around class structures and comfort levels in commercial aviation. I was particularly impressed by how this concept pushes the boundaries of the passenger experience while still complying with the stringent regulatory requirements for aircraft certification, safety and operational efficiency.
How would you rate the quality of the Red Dot Award entries in the mobility design category?
The quality of the designs in this segment is consistently outstanding. Products in the mobility category tend to be large in size, which obviously limits the number of physical submissions for the jury session. Nevertheless, I still strongly recommend entrants to submit physical samples where possible – even a cut-out of the product can help the judges better assess the fine details and overall quality of the design. Being able to experience material, form and workmanship directly makes a big difference in the judging process.
Last, but not least: what’s your favourite mode of transport?
I like travelling on trains best. Rail travel is one of the most sustainable modes of transport, and it offers a spacious, comfortable environment. The large windows further enhance the experience – offering a truly enjoyable trip with panoramic views. Other advantages of rail travel are the fact that it offers direct routes from city centre to city centre and the freedom to move around on board.