Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
Rob Stolte
Your current job :
I’m the owner of, and designer at visual communication & design studio Autobahn.
In which city are you located?
Utrecht, The Netherlands
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
A sparkplug.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
Pen & paper, Spotify, my iPhone, Adobe CC on my Mac and a Wacom.
What does your office space look like?
We’ve build a mezzanine (entresol) within a 19th century gym, or ‘Empty White Cube’ as we call it. We work upstairs and in the ‘Empty White Cube’ we sporadicly host a gallery, have creative sessions with clients and use it as an atelier.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
All sorts! From ’80’s New Wave to Wu Tang Clan and via Johnny Cash to De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig. And most preferably I’ll sing along…
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
We work from 9 to 6, 4 days a week. In this period we are most productive. We have almost no overtime or nightly work. And if we do have some extra-curricular activities, they are compensated with time off.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
Make sure you understand the questions asked by your clients before you start, do the important things first and go to bed early.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
Speak my mind and not be affraid to point out weak spots to clients.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
Mann muss Zeit geben zu Zeit. (Give time to time)
What is your best tip for saving time ?
Accept that there too little time.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
Check my e-mail, make some calls, check if everybody’s doing what they suppost to do / Discuss designs and strategies, meet with clients / Realize it’s 18 hrs and close shop for the day. There’s always tomorrow…
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
My hammock for a quick nap.
