KIA has achieved success at the 2024 iF Design Awards with five elements of the company's recent programmes recognised by the renowned design forum's panel of judges.

The new Kia EV9, already an award winner on many fronts, was awarded the organisation's exclusive Gold award which is presented only to the top 75 winning designs worldwide.

The car maker says the additional accolade demonstrates the continuing impact of Kia's Opposites United design philosophy.

Harnessing the creative tension generated by the divergent values of nature and modernity to deliver a harmonious whole, Opposites United provides Kia's designers with a framework through which to fuse a unique combination of sleek, sculptural shapes and assured, assertive geometry, delivering a strikingly contemporary yet gracefully serene end product.

"The EV9 represents our relentless push to break new ground in design, connectivity, and usability, as well as our responsibility to the environment," added Karim Habib, executive vice president and head of Kia Global Design. "Receiving this award is a recognition of the dedication and commitment of countless members of our team of designers and engineers; and highlights our drive to impact the industry and market with compelling, meaningful design."

From a design point of view, the EV9's exterior has confidence, clarity and calmness with its upright stance, clear-cut lines and flat surfaces. The signature Digital Tiger Face showcases a visionary and futuristic look, accentuated by the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille and vertical headlamps.

The interior, characterised by a flat floor and long wheelbase, takes advantage of the e-GMP platform to provide excellent spaciousness, while components such as the seats and centre console are designed to give a refined feel and further maximise the sense of space.

Furthermore, the EV9's cabin has been designed in line with Kia's 'three-stage sustainable design strategy'. Embodying the brand's commitment to sustainability, the strategy aims to ensure the gradual reduction of animal-sourced leather, the introduction of Kia's 10 top sustainability items and the promotion of research into natural material development.

In awarding the EV9 the iF judges stated: "The Kia EV9 expands the aesthetic possibilities of a large SUV while advancing its functional performance. Its contemporary form language makes other large SUVs look old-fashioned, while swivelling second-row seats and a variety of smaller functional solutions make life on board more social! Who said sustainable design can't be exciting?"

Echoing the EV9's exterior design, the SUV's ‘Ki' infotainment system boasts a graphic style that aligns with the values of Opposites United and complements the vehicle's design, employing eye-friendly, recognisable colours to round out a unique and contemporary brand experience for Kia.

A winner in the iF Product Interfacerscategory, Ki is based around the key visual of a slanted line, representing rising tendencies and applied across all infotainment elements, from icons, to fonts, to the instrument cluster.

In addition to the EV9's successes, Kia had several other projects recognised by the iF judges including the branding for Kia's '80 years of movement' communications, its ‘Windows of Inspiration' trade fair booth design and ‘Kia EV Unplugged round' interactive mediaexperience.

The iF Design Awards were founded in 1954 by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hanover, one of the world's leading independent design institutions.

Each year around 10,800 designs from 72 nations are considered for the awards, which honour and celebrate winners in 81 categories across nine disciplines: Product, Communication, Packaging, Service Design, Architecture, Interior Architecture, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI) and Professional Concepts.

To win an iF Design Award requires passing a rigorous two-stage selection process adjudicated by renowned design experts, signifying a design's contemporary relevance and global impact.