Steve Harper’s passion for cars & car design started as a young boy, spending his earlier years with a thick pack of paper and pens. Little did he know at that time, that it was the start of a serious process which would later influence the rest of his life?

Drawing cars and thinking about his own designs were always a part of Steve’s world. He is the third generation in the family to enter the car business, so he claims that the fascination was “in his blood.” When he was 16, he started as an apprentice automotive engineer at Austin-Morris & British Leyland and adeptly learned the whole trade of car manufacture. But he secretly continued to hone his design skills using magazine pictures as his guide. While doing full-time engineering studies, his artistic talent caught the attention of his superiors in the Styling Studio. They paid for his studies at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London and he earned his Degree in Automotive Design. This winning combination of skill, passion and dedication landed him interesting jobs and assignments for many years which brought him to countries such as Australia, the US, Brazil, Indonesia, China and different European countries.

His own Design Consultancy SHADO was created in 1993, and during that time, he has worked in all areas of Automotive & Product Design.

For over 8 years as Volvo’s Chief Designer, Steve expanded both his technical and artistic horizons by devoting his skills and experience to numerous projects hatched in Volvo’s Göteborg headquarters.

Steve has a thick portfolio of projects and challenges. “I was involved with both Exterior and Interior Design on most the current range of Volvo Cars products, including all Model Year changes. I enjoyed my assignments working on everything from new ‘niche’ products, to accessory and merchandising products,” he adds. “I am a perfectionist. I like to think I was gifted with a critical “eye” for refinement and details, and this was very important for Volvo because we created cars that are ‘people-centric.’”

Having also worked in China, on and off since 1988, he believes he now has a considerable experience and understanding of many cultures and also how they evaluate Brands & products.

As a father, a family man and teacher, he enjoys the role as guide and mentor for the young and the next generations of professionals.

In his personal life, he has used his time and passion to amass a considerable library of around 700 Books on Design, Art & Fashion, as well as a considerable collection of model cars (around 1800 in total), and a large collection of Classic & modern Automotive Brochures.

“I have been described as a ‘Petrolhead’ by many, but I enjoy life and love to create that certain ‘desire’ in new ‘visionary’ products which stir the spirit & soul”