Music for the eyes: Lamborghini Head of Design Mitja Borkert and music industry’s Simon Halfon talk musical inspiration and draw together

The fourth episode in the “Beyond: a Lamborghini podcast” series brings together Lamborghini’s Head of Design Mitja Borkert and the music industry’s Simon Halfon: designer and film producer associated with artists from George Michael and Paul Weller to productions including Oasis’ “Supersonic” documentary and the Kenneth Branagh-directed film “Sleuth”.

“Music for the eyes”, for the first time a video episode, continues the philosophy of putting together Lamborghini people with inspirational individuals from outside the automotive environment, exploring parallels that influence those within Lamborghini and others who have fashioned the broader world. More than most people, music is extremely important to both Mitja and Simon, shaping their lives as well as their creative careers.

For Mitja Borkert, growing up in East Germany in the 1980s, accessing pop music and culture as well as the wider automotive realm was a challenge which in turn inspired him: he consumed music, finding a love for sketching and designing and even drawing ‘himself’ into his recreations of record sleeves. Listening to West Berlin and American radio stations he discovered the cult band Depeche Mode, which he describes as “a spaceship moment”.

Simon Halfon on the other hand, lists The Beatles as a key ‘cult’ influence both for their music and album design, starting his career in the postroom of Stiff records during the liberal era of ‘80s Punk and New Wave before the opportunity to join the design department arose.  “Designing a record sleeve is a collaboration, you represent the artist. But you’ve got to have vision and passion: that pushes you forward to create,” says Simon.

‘Spaceship moments’; creativity; the aspiration to create something new and fresh while working with a cult brand such as Lamborghini and artists such as George Michael and Oasis, are themes explored throughout the podcast. Both men recognize the power and reciprocation between design and music: “Music is part of every sketch, and for sure artists and album covers and images have influenced my creative work,” says Mitja.   

Beyond the discussion of inspiring artists and favourite tracks, the podcast also gives amusing and illuminating insights into Mitja and Simon’s careers: how good design isn’t enough without the product or performance delivering too; what to do when record sales crash; the challenges of working with certain artistes; to whether AI can produce the designs – and passions – of the future.  Finally the two designers switch roles: Simon Halfon sketches his take on a car design while Mitja Borkert delivers a record cover, while discussing what makes ‘an icon’ and which concert they’re planning on going to next. 

Hosted by Lamborghini Director of Communications Tim Bravo and lifestyle and music broadcaster Giulia Salvi, Beyond: A Lamborghini Podcast is available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, to watch on YouTube for a fully immersive experience, and via the special podcast hub on Lamborghini.com/podcast. A new episode will drop each month.