Andreas Zapatinas

Andreas Zapatinas (born 1957) is a Greek automobile designer and industrial designer.

Early life and education Zapatinas was born in Athens. He studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and graduated in 1986.

Career

He worked at Centro Stile Fiat from 1988 until 1994, where he met Chris Bangle. Zapatinas was chief exterior designer of the Fiat Barchetta. He also contributed to the design of Fiat Coupé and Alfa Romeo 145 . In 1998 he became chief designer at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. He directed the following projects: 156 GTA, 147 GTA, closing phases for 156 Sportwagon and 147. Also directed the restyling of 166 and interior restyling of 156.

In 2002 Zapatinas joined Subaru as Head of Advanced Design. He is responsible for the interior of the Tribeca and directed the design of 3 subaru concept vehicles. Tokyo Motor Show 2003, Subaru R1e, Subaru Scrambler and Tokyo Motor Show 2005 Subaru TPH. At Subaru, he is often incorrectly credited with the controversial "spread wings grille" first introduced on the R2, and later the B9 Tribeca This design created some controversy, and it was abandoned by Subaru. This controversy is said to have been related with Zapatinas's departure from Subaru in July 2006 when he was its chief designer.

In 2006, as Industrial Designer, Andreas Zapatinas started cooperating with Kleemann Lifts designing elevator cabins and doors. "We see the lift not as just a small square box that moves you up and down but as a means of transportation that provides a unique experience. It's not only the new curved shape and design. Above all, it is the different new feeling you get in the FUTURE TREND cabins. We design the lift as a high tech vehicle that provides you added sensations". With these sentences, Andreas Zapatinas, the designer of the Future cabins and doors, creates the concept of the new trend; the Future Trend.

As of 2010 he joined Changan Automobile, a Chinese automotive company with a design headquarters in Turin Italy.