What’s one thing you do in your job that might surprise people?
I spend more of my time telling people the story of each design and creation, versus sitting at a table and sketching. What’s changed in design today from 20 years ago is that it used to be more about the philosophy of the creation. But now, all of us love the story of the design.
What we would find on your desk right now?
I’m heavily caffeinated, so if there’s not an empty Diet Coke can, there’s probably a Starbucks Venti on my desk, and it’s probably my second cup of the morning. I start my day with my Jura espresso, and it goes from there.
What’s something printed that hangs on your wall at home?
A calendar. There are other things on the walls, but the most important thing on my wall at home is the family calendar. When you travel as much as I do, you need to coordinate schedules with a 15-year-old daughter and a wife. It has to be a calendar I can see.
Do you collect anything?
Wiener dogs. Many years ago, before my wife and I had a child, we got a dachshund. And it’s a bit like Lay’s potato chips — you can’t have just one. I don’t know how many dachshunds we’ve had, but right now we have two.
What’s your favorite thing to do on your day off?
Lately, golf. My daughter made the golf team of her high school this year, so it’s a good getaway for an absent dad who’s on the road all the time.
Is there a thought leader or someone iconic you admire?
One’s father is always iconic for anybody growing up. So I’d say my father. In the tech industry, from a thought-provoking perspective, Elon Musk. You can’t deny grand goals, right? We do some projects with Tesla, so I’ve met him to show him stuff. When you present to someone like Elon, you step back and think, “This dude’s going to Mars, he’s going to make the Hyperloop, he’s made a car industry that everyone said he couldn’t — and I’m going to tell him it’s hard to make this part in the product?”
Can we talk about your name?
I’ve missed more Uber rides because the driver is looking for a lady named Stacy while I’m waving my hands and going, “It’s me!” and the driver is thinking, “That guy’s trying to steal the Uber.” The good news is, once we meet, you probably won’t forget me.
Wolff talks design innovation in this video.