I’ve been itching to get an interview with a young product designer, especially one with such promise as Jason Cooper –
Born and raised in North London, Jase Cooper was first introduced to design after it became apparent that the NBA just really wasn’t going to work out for him – the next best thing? designing basketball shoes.
At university Cooper fell in love with design, not just footwear, basketball took a back seat and design became his passion. Jason has also included a few words about a selection of his projects, including the award winning ‘Cee-Jay’ table lamp.
"CeeJay is a table lamp for 12-20 year olds. The light uses black card to provide unique silhouettes."
DT: Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and where are you living now?
JC: I’m from North London, UK and right now in the middle of a gap year in the French Alps interning for Salomon footwear department. In the middle of university studying Design For Industry at Northumbria University. Currently in the progress of looking for an internship for to start early 2009.
"Silhouettes can be cut and designed by users themselves or bought and downloaded off the internet opening up endless possibilities for product evolution through collaboration. CeeJay was awarded 3rd place at the 2008 Student Lighting Awards."
DT: At what age did you begin designing/drawing? And when did it become a profession?
JC: I’d say it was basketball that got me into design, I played a lot of basketball before university and I got to an age where I realised the NBA just wasn’t going to happen, my head dropped, and staring back up at me, my basketball shoes. I thought how cool it would be to design footwear and from there my opinion and views on design evolved, and here I am today.
On top placing in the 2008 Student Lighting Awards, Jason was also published in IDFX magazine
DT: What people (creative professional or otherwise), places or things inspire you, and how?
JC: I find human behaviour and the objects we chose to surround ourselves with truly inspiring. I try to be a sponge to my surroundings, allowing anyone or anything to inspire me. I like to look for beauty in mundane places that most people over look. I inspire to create products that engage the user, answer questions and tell a story. Designers that inspire me, there’s a lot, but off the top of my head, Deiter Rams, Naoto Fukasawa, Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, Jasper Morrinson, Yves Behar the list goes on.
DT: Are you professionally trained or were you self taught?
JC: In the process of being professionally trained, half way through school.
"Radiance is a PC speaker inspired by how our mood and emotions determine what type of music we listen to."
DT: What are your most used ‘tools of the trade’ (i.e markers, pens, 3D hardware,)
JC: It all depends what stage of the design process I’m in, it could be anything from a Bic pen to a scalpel, vacuum form machine to photoshop.
"I wanted to bring back some sort of physical interaction for the user when listening to music, an experience that is not so common since the introduction of mp3's and the disappearance of physical music collections."
DT: What are you working on at the moment?
JC: Currently working with the designers at Salomon on footwear for Spring/Summer 2010.
"Radiance uses LED lights that represent different playlists determined by the user - orange might be party tracks, purple may be slow jams, and blue for when you just want to chill out."
DT: What are your other interests beside art/design?
JC: Basketball, vinyl toys, shoes, fashion, the Internet.
DT: What’s the best and worst parts of being a full time, working artist/designer?
JC: The best part of being a full time designer is being able to do what you love full time, the worst part is realising that being told to be creative is not a ‘full time’ activity.
"MUJI Coin Collector; Functional alternative for the common use of using a jar/bottle to collect saved loose change. When coins reach the top the amount will equal £1. Cylinders can then be removed from base and taken to shop, bank etc. This is just conceptual work and has no affiliation with MUJI."
DT: Any advice to up and coming artists/designers?
JC: Let it become your life, be passionate, work harder than the next guy. Oh and use the Internet, it has become a second university for me, get involved with forums, visit ted.com, write your own blog, you will learn a lot, all for free.
– Also an avid design blogger! check out jason’s blog www.lifeofadesignstudent.blogspot.com
– and check out Jason’s main site for his complete folio http://www.jasecooper.com
It is not my first time to visit this web site, i am browsing this web site dailly and obtain nice information from here everyday.|
Good day very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally? I am satisfied to find a lot of useful info right here within the put up, we want develop extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .|
You need to take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the internet. I am going to recommend this website!|
This website definitely has all the information and facts I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask. |
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you actually recognise what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Please also consult with my web site =). We could have a link change agreement among us|
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological globe everything is accessible on net?|
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.|
Hey very interesting blog!|
What i don’t understood is in fact how you’re now not actually a lot more well-liked than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You know therefore significantly in relation to this subject, produced me in my view consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested except it’s one thing to do with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. All the time handle it up!|
Amazing! Its actually remarkable paragraph, I have got much clear idea about from this piece of writing.|
Only wanna comment on few general things, The website style and design is perfect, the content material is really good : D.
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered so far. But, what about the bottom line? Are you certain in regards to the supply?|
This page really has all the info I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask. |
Definitely consider that that you stated. Your favourite reason seemed to be at the internet the easiest factor to have in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as neatly as defined out the entire thing without having side-effects , other folks could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks|
It is the best time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have learn this submit and if I may just I want to counsel you some fascinating things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to learn more things approximately it!|
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Kudos|
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after going through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!|
I¡¦ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this site. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
Some really nice and useful info on this website, too I believe the design and style has superb features.
What’s up all, here every person is sharing these kinds of experience, thus it’s good to read this blog, and I used to pay a quick visit this blog every day.|
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.|
If you would like to improve your familiarity only keep visiting this web site and be updated with the most up-to-date information posted here.|
Hi there, I found your site by way of Google even as searching for a related subject, your website came up, it seems good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Right here is the right website for everyone who would like to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just great!|
I know this web page gives quality based articles and other information, is there any other web page which provides these stuff in quality?|
You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the net to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.|
Amazing things here. I’m very satisfied to see your article. Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?|
I savor, cause I discovered just what I used to be having a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye|
Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clarity to your publish is just spectacular and i could think you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Well together with your permission let me to snatch your feed to stay up to date with impending post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the gratifying work.|
I am sure this article has touched all the internet users, its really really good post on building up new website.|
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!|
Can I just say what a comfort to uncover an individual who actually understands what they are talking about online. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.|
Peculiar article, exactly what I needed.|
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.|
Hello there I am so delighted I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a incredible post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent job.|
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Excellent work!|
you’re in point of fact a just right webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have done a fantastic job in this matter!|
Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!|
Great items from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior to and you’re just too magnificent. I actually like what you have got here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which in which you are saying it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I cant wait to learn far more from you. This is really a great site.|
It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.|
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly delighted I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!|
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Cheers|
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say you’ve done a amazing job with this. In addition, the blog loads super quick for me on Opera. Outstanding Blog!|
Real nice design and excellent content , very little else we require : D.
I really like your writing style, fantastic info, regards for posting :D. “Faith is a continuation of reason.” by William Adams.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next post thank you once again.|
This information is worth everyone’s attention. How can I find out more?|
I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome weblog!|
Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to swap techniques with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.|