Katie McIntyre

At first glance, I might want to respond with an academic lens, citing artists and architects such as Judy Chicago and Zaha Hadid, who have greatly inspired me—as feminist art is a core thread to all of my work. But the truth is more personal, and more visceral. My vision stems from a deep, almost existential longing—a desire for a world where I truly belong. I often feel at odds with societal expectations, especially those imposed on women within a patriarchal framework. As an industrial designer, inventor, and technologist—professions still largely dominated by men—I find myself navigating a landscape where my identity is often marginalized or misunderstood. Add to that my outward appearance—blonde, fond of stylish clothes, and makeup—and I am frequently placed in the category of a “sex object” rather than an intellectual or an innovator.

These biases, these entrenched stereotypes, have led me to feel isolated and, at times, unloved. They have made me question if there's space for me at all. But this sense of being "out of place" drives my work. I create because I want to build a future where every facet of who I am—whether it's my femininity, my intellect, or my creative energy—can exist harmoniously. Take my car design, for instance: it’s a reflection of my own body, drawing inspiration from ancient Venus sculptures while integrating cutting-edge bio-materials and reimagining industrial design for the automotive industry. It’s bold, futuristic, and unapologetically feminine—just as I am. It represents a future where the parts of me that feel marginalized are celebrated. My work, including the vision presented on my website, becomes an extension of this belief: a declaration that we deserve to exist, to innovate, and to be seen in a world that too often overlooks us.

My influences are many and multifaceted, drawing from both my personal history and my passions. First and foremost, music plays a significant role in shaping my design sensibilities. Music is a powerful reflection of culture, of what matters to people in the here and now. It’s not just about rhythm and melody; it’s about energy, about a collective experience that shapes consumer behavior. Whether I’m working on a new tech product or an automotive design, I often look to music to guide the energy and aesthetics. Artists like Shenseea, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and EDM innovators like Anyma inspire me because they fuse empowerment with technical mastery, creating an experience that resonates emotionally and intellectually. Their messages to women—about owning our futures, bodies, and sexuality—mirror the values I aim to embed in my work.

I also find deep inspiration in my family’s history. My grandmother, who shares my name, was a WWII Air Force soldier in the Canadian Army. She was fierce, independent, and charted her own path across the globe. Her resilience, and her refusal to conform to expectations, left a lasting impression on me. My other grandmother, June, was an entrepreneur and florist who embodied the spirit of the earth mother. Her gardens were an expression of feminine beauty and power, and she faced her own trials with grace and confidence. Both of these women shaped my worldview, my work, and my approach to life. I carry their legacies with me, reflected in every project I undertake. They are the invisible threads that connect my creations—whether it's a car design, a fashion line, album cover, film, live show or a piece of art—with a deeper, more personal history.

One of the most significant changes I’ve observed in my profession—and in the world at large—is the increasing dominance of bias. It’s everywhere: in the systems we create, the products we design, and the people we elevate. One glaring example of this is the tech industry, where individuals like Elon Musk publicly espouse a narrow, often harmful view of efficiency, frequently undercutting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. I’ve witnessed firsthand how a lack of diverse perspectives in tech—not to mention the inherent biases that exist—has stunted innovation. When people are hired based on family connections rather than merit, when women are pushed out of spaces like Twitter in favor of a more "efficient" but deeply toxic atmosphere, it’s not just an ethical failure—it’s a failure of vision.

But from this dysfunction, there lies an opportunity. There’s a growing movement, including voices like mine, that is building a more inclusive, human-centered approach to technology and design. This shift is already taking place in the automotive sector, in tech, and in other industries where the status quo is being challenged. The saturated negativity, the hunger for power at any cost, will soon feel tired and outdated. People will return to what really matters: innovative design, empowering technology, and brands that solve real problems instead of profiting off of desperation.

I see the future of design and technology not as a battle against the forces of greed and bias, but as a revolution led by those who are ready to change the system from the inside out—creating products, companies, and narratives that truly reflect the diverse and dynamic world we live in. The work I do, and what is showcased on my website, is part of this revolution. It is about creating a new blueprint for design and technology, one that values humanity and inclusivity.

Yes, there is actually. One film that deeply resonates with my experiences is Promising Young Woman. It’s a remarkably powerful piece of storytelling, and I relate to it on a personal level, particularly because of the harassment I’ve faced in the tech industry. The movie sheds light on a harsh truth: women’s intellect and contributions are often undervalued, and rather than confronting and punishing those who perpetrate harm, society often chooses to silence the women who challenge the status quo. In the film, the brilliant young woman is not just ignored but actively punished for standing up, while the privileged men who commit atrocities are allowed to walk free.

This dynamic mirrors what I’ve witnessed in the tech world. Some of the largest tech companies—some of the most powerful and influential institutions in the world—operate in strikingly similar ways. The prevailing attitude often seems to be that women, especially those who push back or challenge the system, are expendable or can be dismissed as a threat to the established order. I’ve seen firsthand how these companies underestimate the lengths to which women will go when pushed too far—and how the consequences of underestimating them can be profound. There are some incredibly talented women in the industry—some with brilliant minds, even from places like MIT—who have had their potential stifled or their careers derailed because of systemic inequalities and biases.

But despite this, I’m optimistic. I believe that this dilemma won’t persist for as long as many might think. As more women rise to positions of power and influence, we’re starting to see new institutions and systems emerging—ones designed to provide women not just with the recognition they deserve, but with the financial backing and opportunities that have historically been denied to them. The momentum is shifting, and though the path is long, change is already underway, and I’m confident it will accelerate in the years to come.

If I could create a time capsule to represent my work and my legacy, it would definitely include my website, www.katiemcintyre.co. This site isn’t just a portfolio; it’s a manifestation of my heart and soul. The immersive experience I’ve spent over seven years meticulously planning incorporates my exact likeness through a meta-human, along with all my work across automotive design, fashion, film, music, typography, and more. It’s more than just an exhibition of my projects—it’s a deeply personal narrative embedded in every visual and interactive element. The site itself becomes a digital "light horcrux" of sorts, an extension of my creative identity, my story, and my vision for the future.

This website encapsulates everything I stand for: innovation, empowerment, and a commitment to a future where technology and design not only serve us but uplift us. In this capsule, I would place my deepest essence, my work, and the dreams that continue to drive me forward—so that even if the world changes, the ideas I’ve championed can persist and inspire generations to come.