Throughout my career, I have embraced the philosophy that, in the world of design excellence, the most meaningful projects do not emerge from conventional briefs, but from long-standing relationships, a shared vision, and a deep respect for the creative process.
It is within this context that the collaboration between Pentagram, Deus Ex Machina, and MINI takes shape—an encounter between distinct design cultures, united by the same obsession with quality, performance, and authenticity.
Led by Pentagram partners Matt Willey and Piotr Woronkowicz, the project resulted in two one-off vehicles built on the John Cooper Works platform. These cars were conceived not as stylistic exercises, but as clear statements of what becomes possible when branding, engineering, and culture converge without compromise.
What makes this initiative particularly compelling is that it represents the culmination of years of informal dialogue, creative collaboration, and professional friendships. The ambition was never simply to “dress” a car, but to develop a coherent and distinctive visual language for two fully functional prototypes: the 2025 MINI J01 electric and the 2025 MINI F66 combustion model.
As the project moved beyond graphics into the realm of form, materials, and the physical experience of the vehicle, the need for an even more integrated approach became evident.
The design process evolved into a truly global collaborative ecosystem. Four studios—Designworks in Los Angeles and Munich, Deus in Sydney, and Pentagram in New York—worked in close alignment across time zones, disciplines, and design cultures. This collaboration reflects how the most valuable projects are shaped today: through international networks, cross-disciplinary expertise, and a level of mutual trust built over time.
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