A Designer’s Trapper Keeper: Jason B. Jones
1. What’s in your graphic design ‘Trapper Keeper’ these days?
1. iPad 2 2. Balsamiq 3. Bose QC3 Headphones 4. Browser Sketch Pad 5. Griffin Stylus 6. Dribbble 7. Nespresso Capsules
2. What are your inspirations?
I would have to say that Sting is a hero of mine. I don’t listen to his music, but the fact that he’s making it…I respect that.
Seriously, I think my inspirations are always changing. I know this sounds like a “Sunday School” answer, but recently I have really been inspired by my staff. Their pursuit of excellence in design and usability makes me want to keep extra sharp on my own skills. As a manager of designers, it’s real easy to get immersed in the logistics of business and forget your original passion – design. In addition, I have recently been inspired by fashion and craftsmanship – the design of a bag, a boot or a watch has recently driven a lot of my artistic view of line, form and composition.
3. When designing, you feel_____?
Empowered… I am creating something that the world will see!
4. What’s your favorite color?
Grey. I know, boring. I just love graphite pencil drawings and the shades that come from different strokes, shadows and textures. I really want to like orange or lime green… but alas, I always come back to grey.
5. How do you continue to build your design ‘tool belt’?
I am spending a lot of my recent “learning time” doing usability sketching and wire framing. I think the design trends will come naturally, but really learning how people interact with an online medium is the true art. Making nice buttons and backgrounds is the easy part.
6. Do you have any advice to future designers?
I have TONS of advise for future designers… but to keep it short, specialize. People will tell you to be a generalist, but everyone I have ever hired has been awesome at one thing in particular. I know if they are world class at one thing, the rest will come naturally. If your resume leads with “Photography, Illustration, Video Editing, Sound Engineering & Creative Direction” I will likely pass you by.
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