As an Experience Designer for Ford Motor Co., Michigan State University graduate Calandra Berry is helping create the next generation of vehicles and is part of a core team of experience designers and engineers who are charged with making the fully electric Lincoln Star Concept Car a reality.
“We try to figure out how we’ll implement the features into the vehicle, as well as any limitations that we may have, and work with the features teams to make sure we’re making decisions that will please both our engineering department and, ultimately, the customer,” said Berry, who graduated from MSU with a bachelor's degree in Experience Architecture in 2017.
By 2025, Lincoln aims to release three new fully electric vehicles, including the Lincoln Star, with plans to go fully electric by 2030. The Lincoln Star Concept Car is the brand’s electric vehicle prototype.
Berry has worked for Ford Motor Co. for five years, more than three in her current position as a member of the Experience Design and Engineering Team for the Lincoln Star Concept Car. The work she is doing coincides with her personal and professional priorities to create user experiences that make a real difference in people’s lives.
“We really want to hone in on customer needs,” Berry said. “We want to be able to relax the customer because we know that people are on the move, and the hustle and bustle of life can be draining. So, we want to create a driving experience that makes more of an impact.”
To read more about Berry, visit cal.msu.edu