'Father of the iPod' Tony Fadell Will Join Automotive All-stars at 2012 Autoweek Design Forum

DETROIT, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nest Founder and CEO Tony Fadell, known as the "Father of the iPod," will join Lincoln design director Max Wolff, Cadillac design chief Clay Dean and Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer at the 18th Autoweek Design Forum at Detroit's College of Creative Studies on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012.

Peter Horbury, senior vice president of design at Geely Group, will serve as keynote speaker.

"We're thrilled Tony Fadell will be joining us at the Design Forum," said Dutch Mandel, Autoweek associate publisher and editorial director. "His participation alongside the artists behind some of the most beautiful cars in the world will add valuable perspective on the important relationship between automotive design and technology."

Fadell is founder and CEO of Nest. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns about you and your home to automatically turn itself down when you're away, guide you to energy-efficient temperatures when you're home and free you from programming hassles by creating a customized temperature schedule.

Prior to starting Nest, Fadell led the team that created the first 18 generations of the iPod and the first three generations of the iPhone. Before joining Apple, Fadell built the Mobile Computing Group at Philips Electronics. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and has collectively authored more than 75 patents. 

The Autoweek Design Forum is a chance for enthusiasts, students and designers to learn about the latest design trends and to network within their field of interest. Held at the College of Creative Studies' A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, the Design Forum begins with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Individual morning presentations, design exhibits, networking opportunities and a strolling lunch follow. 

The winners of the 2012 Autoweek Editors' Choice Awards will be announced at the Design Forum, with a tour of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to follow. 

Advance registration for the half-day program, including breakfast, lunch and a ticket to the NAIAS, is $150 for all attendees. A limited number of discounted student tickets are available.  Limited on-site registration will be available during the Design Forum at $200 per ticket for all attendees. If tickets sell out prior to the event, there will be no on-site registration.

The event is sponsored by Johnson Controls, Microsoft and the College for Creative Studies, in association with the NAIAS. 

Visit autoweek.com/designforum for a detailed agenda and additional information. Information is also available by contacting Amie O'Keefe at [email protected]. For student tickets, contact Mallory Decker at [email protected].

About Autoweek

Autoweek, launched in 1958, based in Detroit, Mich., and published by Crain Communications Inc., is a fortnightly magazine of consumer car news, information and insight. It's also delivered via the Internet (autoweek.com) and the iPad, and through video and social media. The autoweek.com site includes Daily Drive, an e-mail newsletter sent to more than 100,000 registrants; Car Life, a social community, and Autoweek TV, a daily video newscast. The Autoweek iPhone app Car News & Reviews is the first free app built for serious enthusiasts. From a magazine to video, online, podcasts, events, mobile applications and social media, Autoweek is a must-have for those who live the automotive lifestyle. Follow Autoweek on Facebook (facebook.com/autoweekusa) and Twitter (@autoweekUSA).

SOURCE Autoweek