23 questions!

James suggests that designers are kids who never grow up. While his body of work suggests otherwise, with all its learned detail and panache, James' exuberance, energy and enthusiasm does make us stop and wonder if there really might be a five year old hiding in there...

1. What sparked your passion for design?
To be honest I am not really sure, as long as I can remember all I ever wanted to be was a designer or artist. It seems to have an inviting sense of freedom about it, and I've always loved to draw.

2. How creative were you as a youngster?
I was a pretty curious kid, I was always drawing, creating a mess wherever I could. I was into Lego as well, which I think was awesome for developing my creativity... I think every kid is instinctively creative, some kids just never grow up, they just become designers!

3. Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
All my siblings are creative in different ways, I still have some great drawings from my sister and brothers we did when we were pretty young. We had art inspiration all over the house, art and photography magazines lying all over the place. Mum was my biggest creative influence as a kid, she was very creative and I started going to art classes with her from around the age of 10...

4. What sort of education and training have you had?
I knew I wanted to be designer from an early age, so I focused all my energies on the Art Department at high school. I was very lucky and had some great Art Teachers who put up with me, I finished my traditional education at La Trobe Uni with a BA in Graphic Design. Although I did learn more in my first year out of Uni than I did in my 3 years at Uni!

5. Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Neville Brody, he was huge when I was in UNI, the English design wave was very strong at the time. I was right into magazine design at the time and Brody was Art Directing "The Face" which had fantastic typographical layouts.

6. Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first job was putting together a 16 page statical brochure for the Northern Territory Tourist Commission on Tourist numbers. I had to do a lots of stylised Graphs and illustrations, sounds boring but it was a lot of fun...

7. What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I primarily use the Adobe CS3 suite, but my pencil and paper are the best tools of all! The biggest technology advancement has definitely been the internet and broadband, from talking with clients half a world away, to sending files to print, to selling products. Could anyone imagine doing business without it?

8. What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore?
I used digital everyday in my work, focused mainly on print and web. Would love to do a bit more motion design. I paint with oils and do lino cuts away from work. It is nice way to balance out your creative output. But I have started using digital as a purely artistic tool. You see some fantastic stuff being done digitally.

9. Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
No I don't think so, people still like to feel, smell and hold things, we have a lot printed material we use everyday, it is hard to see all that going away. But who really knows, there are a lot of very smart people coming up with funky new ways of doing things everyday.

10. Whose work do you really admire and why?
Where do I start, everyday I see something and wish I had done it. It really does motivate you to keep trying new things and challenging yourself. Of course I love the Impressionists, Van Gough, Matisse and Picasso. Not just for their work but the way they went about the creative process. Always loved the stuff that Joshua Davis has done.

11. Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Interestingly my biggest work influences come from outside the creative field, I grew up on a farm and in a rural landscape. My father was the hardest working bloke I ever saw, he always had a smile on his face and was alway positive, relaxed and confident, not easy to do when you are working the land. He had very positive effect on my work ethic, calmness in pressure situations and he gave me the courage to try new things.

12. What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Very cliche, but my son! and convincing my wife to marry me... oh and putting a roof over their head on food on the table while doing something that I love!

13. How would you describe your work?
Structured, minimalist and bold, influenced by my days playing with Lego! I find as the years swiftly pass me by my work becomes cleaner and more organised!

14. What are your plans for the future?
Not to buy any stocks! And to win Tatts Lotto.

15. What sort of company would you like to work with next?
I always look for a company that has a fun, cheeky and relaxed vibe, but has a quite resolve to develop outstanding creative. People are key, respect for your peers and their opinions are good manners.

16. What is your opinion of Australian design?
I still think Australian design is finding its own unique feel, being a smaller market we tend to follow design trends (me included) from overseas a little. We do have some awesome talent in the country, companies like Animal Logic are showing we can compete with the best in the world. I believe the best work produced in this country originates from clients who willing do to something unique.

17. What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
The best thing about being a designer in Australia is our unique take on creative. Being more isolated from the traditional hotspots of design, such as London, New York and Tokyo, we do produce some quirky and very original work. We have some amazing talent in this country who utilize our combined Aboriginal, Asian and European heritage to produce fantastic work. Although having worked in North America, there is definite advantage of the bigger budgets and clients are less conservative and in general have more respect for creatives.. Software and hardware is a lot cheaper OS.

18. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Not to take itself to seriously and try not follow trends from overseas to much. With the ability for clients to source creative from anywhere in the world we must continue to develop a uniquely Australian feel. It is also going to be a challenge to keep the best creative talent here in Australia, there so much opportunity overseas. We must also continue to reduce our effect on our environment and encourage our clients to do the same.

19. What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Painting and lino cuts. Pulling my mountain bike to bits and putting back together every few weeks. Helping my son build things.

20. What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Don't have time to bar hop, I have 1 year son who doesn't care too much if dad is hung over!

21. What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.delicious.com - Bookmarking site using keywords, cannot live without it.
www.theonion.com - An award-winning satirical publication, it's a hoot!
www.fffound.com - Great for wasting time and finding inspiration.
www.thefwa.com - The best flash site gallery.
www.smashingmagazine.com - Weblog dedicated to web-developers and designers, awesome resource.

22. What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Radiohead - In Rainbows, and it's great

23. If I was a font, I’d be...?
I probably would have to say Futura, well rounded and efficient but with a touch of humor. It has elements of the Bauhaus design style...

Do you need an A-List Artisan like James in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Ally NOW.