Franz von Holzhausen

Chief Designer, Tesla
ArtCenter Alumnus, TRAN 92

Franz von Holzhausen is the Chief Designer at Tesla, responsible for all Tesla Design programs, charged with establishing a world-class design language for all Tesla products. He joined Tesla in 2008 to design the all-new Model S. He also contributed to the first-generation Roadster and has since led the design of the Model X, Model 3, Model Y, Semi, the all new Roadster, and most recently the Cybertruck. He covers Content, Architecture, and Product Designs including Tesla Superchargers, and the Powerwall and Solar products from Tesla Energy. He also holds a variety of patents for Tesla.

Franz was named one of Motor Trend’s top 50 most influential automotive executives and one of the top 25 designers of all time by Automobile Magazine, and most recently a 2023 Adweek top 50 honoree.

Prior to joining Tesla, Franz worked on the New Beetle and the Audi TT at Volkswagen, he designed the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky at General Motors, and he pioneered the Nagare surface language at Mazda with a variety of concepts.