If You Have A Minute: James Carroll
Grafton Media’s industry spotlight series continues with James Carroll, Creative Director.
James is the owner of creative start-up company, Design Jazz, a product design company and creative outlet for James, who runs the company as a solo venture. He qualified in Product Design from DIT and since graduation has worked in Ireland and Canada. You can buy products designed by James from The Design Basket, Jam Art Factory and Rise Creatives.
He is currently based in the Canary Islands working on a retail furniture design project with In Out Studio and is planning a communications design based product in Dublin.
What first made you want to get into Product Design?
After secondary school I really had no clue as to what I wanted to study. I think I chose product design over other options because it was the best of a bad bunch. I don’t think I really got into design until after college when I had creative freedom.
What is a typical day in the office for you?
A typical day includes graphic work of some sort, networking, music, concepting and of course production.
What’s the most interesting or exciting project you’ve ever worked on?
I would have to say the DIY skate bowl myself and friends made in in Bray, Co.Wickla. It’s the first DIY bowl in Ireland and its still standing after months now. It was the first time we worked with concrete and for me it was great to see how each part we made was better than the last. My friend & fellow creative Phil Evans made this video of it.
What’s the most difficult part of your job?
I would have to say its selecting the next project. The obvious choice is to make something you can sell or make money from, but often my preferred project has nothing to do with making money. Maybe that’s why I prefer it.
What are the most interesting trends you’re seeing in Design these days?
Lately I have been seeing lots of people using graphic design in new ways and on a much larger scale. Also many jewellery designers seem to be incorporating industrial design methods into their projects, which is great.
How do you keep up to date with what’s going on in your industry these days?
Social media is a running news feed that I use daily. I visit exhibitions, events and studios in order to meet the people behind the scenes. Websites I’d regularly visit include Design Milk, Dezeen, and I.D. Mag. I also like to visit the personal websites of well known designers to see what materials and manufacturing they are using. I am currently really into European designers like Cisak Dalmas and Jaime Hayon.
What advice would you give to anyone starting out in Design today?
Well I suppose I am only starting out in the design world, but my suggestion would be to jump on any opportunity no matter how small. Starting a company can be a great way to capture people’s attention and give more creditability to your projects. Just go for it and be honest.
__
We’ve had a great response so far from people looking to be involved in this weekly series but we’re still looking for more. If you are a creative, drop me a mail at nicola dot graftonmedia dot com and we’ll send on the questions and let you know what details we’ll need from you.
