Interior lighting that
communicates,
not just decorates.
Two parallel workstreams at Zeekr — designing the logic of how interior light functions work as a communication layer for the driver, and exploring the physical architecture of how light bars are built using optical elements. Both threads are now feeding into production.
Role
Lighting Experience
Designer, Zeekr
Focus
Light functions, fixture
design & optical exploration
Status
Under development
for production
The concept
Light as a communication
layer.
Beyond setting a mood, interior lighting can carry meaningful information — ambient awareness of the car's surroundings, driving mode transitions, welcome sequences, voice interaction feedback. The challenge was designing a system that handles all of these gracefully without visual noise or conflict.
Architecture Logic, Interior Light Functions, Fixture Design, Interactive Light Rig — four workstreams running in parallel.
Architecture logic
A universal animation
system.
Animations are designed once as universal sequences, then mapped onto the specific fixture layout of any car. A category management system handles priority — so warnings always override theme lighting, and interaction feedback never competes with navigation guidance. The whole system runs on a defined hierarchy of input, processing, mapping and categories.
One animation framework. Maps onto any fixture, in any car — without redesigning the logic for each model.
Machine exterior
A modular frame
built to last.
As a team we developed ideas for the machine exterior — exploring modularity, repairability access hierarchies, and panel systems that allow the machine to be aesthetically updated without replacement. The structural frame concept became the backbone of the entire vision: a platform designed to be repaired, upgraded and adapted over 15+ years.
A sturdy frame serves as the backbone of the machine.
Toolchain & validation
From sketch to
car in the loop.
The full development toolchain runs from early animation sketching through to live testing inside the vehicle. The interactive light rig allows rapid iteration on sequences and mappings before anything goes near production hardware.
The challenge
Designing the
light itself.
Parallel to the function logic work, I explored the physical architecture of how a light bar produces light. The goal was to move beyond standard direct LED strips — finding an approach that creates depth, richness and differentiation for the Zeekr brand, while remaining manufacturable.
Over 10 optical architectures explored and prototyped — Fresnel lens, structured lens, light guides, 3D lattice, etched patterns, organic forms.
The solution
Optical foil stack-up.
The winning direction combines an optical foil with a pattern mask to create a perception of depth and richness in a cost-effective way. A five-layer stack — lens, optical foil, pattern mask, diffuser, LEDs — became the foundation for further development with the CMF team for the DC2E.
Sustainability score based on behaviour.
Guided maintenance & repair.
