My name is Hanna Schönwald, and I am a designer, artist, and creative director based in Hamburg, Germany. I studied Industrial Design with a focus on Transportation Design at Pforzheim University of Design and have been working at the intersection of these disciplines since graduating in 2020.

My work combines my background in automotive design with a strong focus on artistic expression. After leaving the automotive industry as a product and transportation designer, I began working independently as a freelance designer and artist. Today, I collaborate a lot with clients in the automotive and mobility sectors.

Much of my artistic work has evolved from the visual language of the drawings and sketches that naturally emerge throughout the design process. In this way, tools that were originally created to serve a functional design purpose are transformed into expressive, independent works of art.

While I remain active in the fields of industrial and vehicle design, my main focus is on art — especially drawing and painting. My artistic practice fuels everything else I do. Whether I’m developing a visual identity, designing a product, or creating original artworks, it all begins with a sketch and a strong creative vision.

I also work as a content creator and creative director — sometimes behind the scenes conceptualizing and curating visual content, other times in front of the camera with authenticity and personality.

In 2022, I opened my own creative space: Atelier Schönwald in Hamburg. It’s my daily workspace, a home for design, art and content production — a place where ideas take shape and stories begin.

When I’m not in the studio, I’m likely in the garage working on my classic cars — a hands-on passion that continues to inspire both my art and my design approach.

Through this website, I share my work, my creative process, and the unique products and projects that emerge at the crossroads of mobility, aesthetics, and emotion.

I was born on Christmas morning in 1995 in Bielefeld, Germany. Growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s gave me the gift of a carefree, analog childhood — before the internet and smartphones reshaped the world. I had the privilege of attending a high school focused on music, dance, theater, and the arts. This creative environment sparked my passion for craftsmanship and design, leading me from early interests in arts and handicrafts to a deep fascination with cars.

During my school years, I completed a career-oriented internship at an automotive workshop, which quickly turned into part-time work alongside my education. This hands-on experience laid the foundation for my decision to study Industrial Design with a focus on Transportation Design.

Before enrolling at Pforzheim University of Design, I spent eight formative months interning with sculptor, designer, and artist Andreas Helmling. There, I developed practical skills working with materials like wood, metal, and plastics — techniques that would influence many of my future projects.

Throughout my studies, I pursued drawing with great intensity, far beyond the curriculum. This passion not only expanded my creative toolkit but also allowed me to take on commissioned work during university. My first steps into the automotive design industry began with a pivotal internship at Porsche in 2018, which solidified my desire to stay on this path. In 2020, I completed another internship at Daimler EvoBus, where I also wrote my Bachelor's thesis.

After six months in a full-time role as a vehicle designer in the southern German automotive industry, I decided to follow a more independent route. These experiences didn’t just shape my design approach — they also opened many doors. The strong professional network and industry insight I gained during this time laid the groundwork for a successful transition into freelance work.

In 2021, I became self-employed as a freelance product designer and artist, collaborating with a wide range of clients — primarily in the automotive and mobility sectors.

In 2023, I launched my own creative space: Atelier Schönwald. This studio is now the heart of my daily work, a place where art, design, and content creation come together under one roof.

And here we are today — combining creativity, craftsmanship, and design in every project I take on.