Design Influences:
Franz von Holzhausen’s father, an industrial, product, and graphic designer, inspired him to pursue a career in design. His time at Art Center in Los Angeles and the sister campus in Switzerland exposed him to European influences and designers. Internships at VW and Audi helped hone his design sense.

Mentors and Peers:
At VW and Audi, Franz worked with legendary designers like Jay Mays, Freeman Thomas, and Craig Durfee, who influenced his design philosophy. He also collaborated with influential designers who now lead Mercedes, Volvo, Polestar, and Audi design teams.

Design Philosophy:
Franz believes in the Bauhaus principles of purity and simplicity, where form and function work together equally. He strives to create beautiful products that also serve a functional purpose, delivering exceptional functionality. He draws inspiration from architecture and fashion designers like Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, and Tato Ando, who blend starkness with functionality.

Design Process for Tesla Models:
Franz’s design philosophy guided the creation of the Model S, Model X, and Model 3, with the upcoming Roadster also in the works. He aims to push the boundaries of design and create vehicles that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Future Design Aspirations:
Franz is open to designing various types of vehicles and objects, as long as they align with his design philosophy. He is excited about exploring new possibilities and pushing the limits of design in different domains.

His Journey Through Design:
Franz von Holzhausen’s experiences throughout his career have shaped his design principles and approach. At VW, he worked on the New Beetle, aiming to revive the brand’s nostalgia and spirit while incorporating modern Bauhaus minimalism. After VW, he joined GM, where he saw an opportunity to simplify and clean up Pontiac’s design language.

Simplifying Pontiac with the Solstice:
The Pontiac Solstice aimed to create a pure, fun roadster, inspired by the Lotus Elan and the success of the Miata. The design focused on simplicity, affordability, and the joy of open-air driving.

Enhancing Mazda’s Brand Identity:
Upon joining Mazda, Franz von Holzhausen recognized the disconnect between the brand’s marketing and product design. He worked to establish design principles that aligned with Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom” concept, creating a cohesive brand identity.

Looking Ahead with Tesla:
At Tesla, Franz von Holzhausen continues to push boundaries, seeking opportunities to design new and innovative vehicles. He acknowledges the importance of sustainability and the potential of electric vehicles to change the transportation landscape.

Electric Powertrains and Design:
Electric powertrains provide new design opportunities and challenges. Tesla’s electric architecture allows for unique vehicle proportions and shapes. Designers must balance aesthetics, functionality, and the inherent values associated with established brands.

Tesla’s Clean Energy Mission:
Tesla is committed to making a better environment through clean energy. Hybrid vehicles are not enough to achieve Tesla’s mission. Tesla aims to be a true disruptor in the automotive industry.

Design Elements of Tesla Vehicles:
Tesla vehicles are designed to be beautiful, alluring, and attractive. The Model S’s design combines functionality, technology, and aesthetics. Tesla’s vehicles are designed to compete with established luxury brands.

Challenges Faced by Traditional Automakers:
Traditional automakers are lagging in the development of electric vehicles. They are entrenched in internal combustion engine technology and investments. They may be hesitant to fully embrace electric vehicles due to the financial implications.

Design Principles:
Tesla prioritizes form and function, eliminating decorative elements like the nose cone on the original Model S to enhance its modernity and timelessness. By avoiding excessive ornamentation, badging, and unnecessary features, Tesla aims to create vehicles that are attractive, comfortable, and suitable for a broad range of consumers.

Luxury and Simplicity:
Despite its simplicity, Tesla’s vehicles exude luxury and premium quality, offering a bespoke nature and premium price point. The company believes that good proportions are the starting point for good design, incorporating clean and beautiful lines into all of its products.

Customer Identity and Personalized Plates:
Many Tesla owners personalize their vehicles with personalized plates, demonstrating their belief in the company’s mission and their desire to make a statement. Tesla vehicles allow customers to feel attractive and proud of their choice, without sacrificing green and efficient principles.

Excitement in Transportation:
Franz von Holzhausen expresses excitement about the future of transportation and the broad range of attempts to captivate excitement in the product. He believes that the industry is on the precipice of significant changes in manufacturing principles and design concepts.

Design and Character in Cars:
Technological advancements have allowed car brands to produce vehicles with unique stories and distinctive character, moving away from the bland designs of the past.

Autonomy and Safety:
The development of autonomous vehicles is focused on improving safety and creating a safer transportation environment. Autonomy will allow individuals to travel from one place to another in style, comfort, and relaxation, while prioritizing safety.

The Excitement of Driving:
The pursuit of speed and the thrill of driving will always have a place in society. There will always be outlets and opportunities for people to experience the joy of driving.

The Roadster and Its Future:
The Tesla Roadster represents the limits of physics and offers an exhilarating driving experience. The Roadster currently in space is unlikely to return, but if it did, it could potentially be used again.

Pixar’s Cars and the Evolution of Storytelling:
Pixar’s goal is to create compelling stories, regardless of their origin. The success of Cars and Coco demonstrates the universal appeal of Pixar’s storytelling.

Episodic Content and the Changing Technology of Film:
The changing technology of film, including the rise of episodic content, presents new opportunities for storytelling in the Cars universe.

Maintaining the Integrity of Characters:
Cars characters are first and foremost characters, and their identity and appearance should remain consistent over time. When releasing a film, the world takes ownership of it, and it becomes part of the cultural landscape.

Cultural Impact of Cars:
The Cars franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring merchandise, attractions, and a deeper appreciation for cars among young audiences.

Ward’s Inspirations:
Ward, an expert filmmaker, is inspired by great storytellers and filmmakers. He believes that Tesla, as a great car company, is also a storyteller. He admires the ease with which children can now tell stories using modern technology.

Character Creation:
Ward emphasizes the importance of creating relatable characters in storytelling. He believes that characters should be relatable and evoke emotions in the audience. Ward criticizes films that, despite their high production value, fail to engage the audience emotionally.

Finding Talent:
Ward discusses the challenge of finding talented individuals who share a similar mindset. He mentions the high number of talented individuals who are not enjoyable to work with. Ward emphasizes the importance of finding passionate and focused individuals who excel at what they do.

Pixar’s Culture:
Ward describes Pixar’s culture as egalitarian, where everyone is treated equally. He contrasts this with Hollywood’s culture, where certain individuals are treated better than others. Ward believes that maintaining this culture is essential to Pixar’s success.

Car Enthusiasts at Pixar:
Ward reveals that there are many car enthusiasts working at Pixar. He organizes an employee-only car show called The Motorama, showcasing classic cars and unique concepts. Ward believes that the love for cars at Pixar translates into their filmmaking.

Bonneville Salt Flats Dream:
Ward expresses his passion for the Bonneville Salt Flats and its racing culture. He aims to be part of a team that races on the salt flats and dreams of racing a motorcycle there. Ward appreciates the camaraderie and selflessness found among Bonneville racers.

Battery Changing in Teslas:
Franz von Holzhausen explains that Tesla initially explored the idea of battery pack swapping. They demonstrated that a battery pack swap could be done faster than filling up a gas car. However, customer feedback showed that the supercharging network was more desirable and convenient. Tesla shifted its focus to expanding the supercharging network and increasing the range of its vehicles.

What Makes Cars Collectible in the Future:
Cars that are part of a change or difference that made lives better. Cars that represent a historical period or milestone. Cars that are beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing.

The Role of Museums:
Franz von Holzhausen believes that cars should be used and driven, not just displayed in museums. Museums should find ways to incorporate driving and usage into their exhibits. Cars in museums should be accessible and engaging, not just static displays.

The Importance of Driving and Accessibility:
Jay Ward emphasizes the importance of driving and experiencing classic cars, not just admiring them as art. Luftgekuhlt is an example of a show that celebrates the accessibility and usability of classic cars. Cars should be driven and enjoyed, not just stored away in museums.

Tesla Design Studio and SpaceX:
Tesla’s design studio is located in Hawthorne, California, near SpaceX. Model S was designed in a tent in the corner of SpaceX. The proximity to SpaceX has influenced Tesla’s design ideas and approach. Both Tesla and SpaceX have grown and evolved in their design and engineering approaches.

Franz von Holzhausen’s Design Philosophy:
Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief Designer, emphasizes the combination of superb engineering with stunning aesthetics, aiming to deliver a remarkable design that captivates.

Influence of SpaceX on Tesla’s Design:
Von Holzhausen’s time at SpaceX exposed him to cutting-edge technology and an unwavering drive for innovation, significantly influencing Tesla’s engineering mindset.

The Minimalist Approach of Model 3’s Interior:
Model 3 showcases a revolutionary interior design centered around minimalism, embracing the idea that less is more.

Single Screen Interface:
The centerpiece of Model 3’s interior is a single, centrally located screen, providing both occupants with easy access to essential information and vehicle controls.

Elimination of Excess Buttons and Switches:
Von Holzhausen believed in eliminating unnecessary buttons and switches, creating a clean and uncluttered interior space.

Focus on Relaxation and Serenity:
The minimalist approach aims to create a calm and serene environment, reducing distractions and fostering a relaxing driving experience.

Over-the-Air Updates and Continuous Improvement:
Tesla’s vehicles benefit from over-the-air updates, allowing the car’s software and features to improve over time.

Future-Proofing for Autonomy:
The Model 3’s minimalist design anticipates the future of autonomous driving, where physical controls may become less necessary.

Haptic Feedback Considerations:
Tesla has explored haptic feedback but found that visual interaction works well for the Model 3’s fixed screen.

Sustainability and Material Choices:
Model 3’s interior is free of animal-derived materials, reflecting Tesla’s commitment to sustainability and a better future.