Nakamura, who is best known to enthusiasts for his work on the GT-R, says the current state of design is relatively strong, and the business may be on the verge of another golden age.

Nissan is also pondering the look of a version of the Leaf for its luxury Infiniti brand.

Nakamura said the upscale version will feature more emotional and classic styling, with modern expression.

What about the Essence concept, which has turned heads and been featured fairly prominently in Infiniti promotions?

“We don't have any exact plan to bring the Essence to the market,” he said.

As most designers do, Nakamura looks for inspiration from the world around him. Clad in a blue pinstriped suit with an open-collared shirt, Nakamura wore a Jaeger LaCoultre watch and black Boss shoes for his visit. When not crafting sheetmetal, he looks at furniture and handbags--and says he wouldn't mind designing them.

Nissan's North American design staff has recently undergone a significant change: Bruce Campbell retired and was replaced by Alfonso Albaisa. But Nakamura says not to expect any drastic changes, as the company's design language is fairly stable.

In other product news, look for the next-generation Altima to get a more upscale feel, and the Infiniti division could add another nameplate, likely a smaller vehicle in response to market demands.