23 Questions!

Josh is a man of few words but several insights. Much like this intro. Read and explore.

What sparked your passion for design?
Life’s origami

How creative were you as a youngster?
Growing up in the country you invent and create every day. You’ve literally the space to create and do your own thing.

Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My family gave me the independence to think differently, I that’s the most important thing you can carry in any creative field. My family are creative, everyday on the farm there’s 100 problems to be solved and ideas to be hatched.

What sort of education and training have you had?
I’ve a degree in design/illustration and am currently completing a Masters in Fine Art in my spare time. I think working in design, it’s important to keep a few fires burning outside of the industry bubble.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Phileas Fogg. I wanted to travel.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first major project, I art directed and designed was rebranding a shampoo company. Now looking back it was a brilliant brief, it’s amazing where the good opportunities appear.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? Adobe. The master creative suite. That enormous end of the world atom slot car machine in Europe sounded very impressive. Or at least it will be when they get it working again.

What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore? I love mediums by hand; drawing, painting, etc. Really enjoying stop motion and animation at the moment too.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
No. Paper is beautiful.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
My friends. Because they’re brilliant. Well, some of them anyway. I loved some of the design I found working in Marseille in France as well.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? Peter Bradley. Details, obsession and taking things to that next level. Taking responsibility for the work, the pursuit of perfection and beauty.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Working in different countries, different languages.

How would you describe your work?
Diverse. Effective.

What are your plans for the future?
Film, painting, writing, exploring Melbourne.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
Open minded people who are good company.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
It’s really humbling seeing some of the beautiful work around Melbourne.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Being on an island off the coast of New Zealand has a certain isolation, but the freedom that comes with that gives you space to create.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Our current poor digital network makes it hard to embrace the global digital revolution in some ways.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Film, painting, drawing, writing…I’m preparing an exhibition of paintings of my local area in St Kilda at the moment. I also put together an annual anthology of local writing (The Paradise Anthology).

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Pop records. Freshair, original music, beer. Genius.

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Alela Dianne. Yeah I think so. It’s timeless.

If I was a font, I’d be...? A font painted by a signwriter on a fish and chip shop window.



Do you need an A-List Artisan like Josh in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Elke NOW!