Koukou has been at Volkswagen Design since 2017. She looks across at the lime green Golf with satisfaction: she was behind the graphics for its projector light. “I wanted to be a designer, because I want to see my own work on the streets. I am mega proud to see the car here now!”
A passion for design is something that Marco Pavone has had since he was a child in São Paulo: his brother José Carlos and he used to sketch cars, even at a young age. Later on, Marco wrote letters to Volkswagen do Brasil, while his father send the sketches to the design studio. “We immediately received an answer from the head designer! We took his comments on board, and sent the revised sketches back. It was a real exchange,” Marco recalls. “As such, we have had a connection with Volkswagen since childhood.” This was followed by an internship – the twins studied design. Marco moved to Germany in 2005. He has been Head of Exterior Design since 2017 and designed the new Golf. “Incidentally, my brother is now the head of the design studio at Volkswagen do Brasil – that’s life.”
What Marco gets from Sport, Koukou gets from drawing: sketches, drawings, illustrations. “Just being among nature, watching and drawing. Then my head works automatically, only differently, the subconscious saves things away. And when I need inspiration, there it is.” Koukou enjoys sitting outside, by water or in a cafe. But she also likes spending time at Autostadt Wolfsburg, where Koukou and Marco have now arrived after their skateboarding adventures. Over a coffee together on the terrace of “Brot”, she sketches Marco in no time at all. After just a few strokes, he is already recognisable.
“I like drawing quickly, as people are dynamic and emotional. It is important to portray and record the soul,” says Koukou. “I try to do the same with a car: that also has character, poise, gestures.” Marco agrees. “Every car has a theme, its own signature. Like the Beetle, the Golf, and ultimately people too!”