JIM ROKOS MA FRSA
London based industrial designer Jim Rokos had explored many creative areas before discovering his passion for Industrial Design. Originally trained as a model-maker in the film and television industry (The Muppet Treasure Island, Band of Brothers, Tomb Raider, Victoria and Albert), he then worked as a photographer's assistant, and then a film extra, meanwhile designing an innovative cat-food bowl - over 50,000 have been sold throughout Europe.
Jim then went on to teach at a special needs school in London before completing a Master's degree (2006) in Industrial Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (part of London's University of the Arts). His graduation piece, the 'Blindspot' range was sold to the CSM Museum & Study Collection in 2007.
Fantasy and poetic elements can be seen in his works. Jim is passionate to explore the physicality of materials to create original and visually beautiful, refined concepts. He enjoys every stage of the design process. Research, creative exploration, problem solving, refinement and execution. New creative techniques can be sought to generate original ideas. He observes people's behaviour within their local context and his products can encourage a user to reflect. Understanding and engaging with user psychology is key. Jim is interested to apply these techniques, for the improvement of people's lives and is a member of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).
ROKOS - THE BRAND
Based in South Kensington in West London, the studio creates intriguing art pieces that aestheticise their own utility and express their personalities by coming to life when they are used. The practice is fascinated with glass, producing a range of vases, candleholders and decanters.
They can mirror the behaviour of drinkers (13° 60° 104° decanter), or take on the behaviour of the contained item (Gauge flower vase). They can be shy or extrovert while performing their job (22° 36° 48° bowl), or give overstaying dinner guests a polite clue when it is time for them to go home (231 MIN candleholder).
Rokos (pronounced like rock, together with os, as in the the first syllable of ostrich) creates objects that sit in the intersection between industry and craft - each is made with the utmost care and are of exceptional quality, made without compromise at any stage of the process, from design to making.
'He says brands could unlock neurodivergent designers' creativity by setting abstract rather than prescriptive creative briefs: "Instead of asking me to design a new hood, ask me to design a jacket so people can feel privacy in public."'
- Bella Webb for Vogue Business
'One of the UK's leading designers.'
- Jaime Derringer founder of Design Milk
AWARDS
Jim is a multi award-winning designer. His patented cat-food bowl won BBC's Tomorrow's World's Best Inventions pilot in 2001. Whilst studying, D&AD included his work 'in-book' (2006). His Blindspot series is Design Parade selected (2007). In 2008, he won an RSA Design Directions award and in 2012 the Faces of Design award. He won the 2012 Reddot Design award for the 13° 60° 104° wine decanter and the Enterprise Europe Network Award 2014 for the Gauge vase. The Gauge also won the German Design Award 2017 for Excellent Product Design. The 231 MIN candleholder won a special mention in the German Design Awards 2021. Most recently the brand won the Luxury Law Summit's Luxury Design Award 2021.
'We were looking for a designer who has created a product that answers a luxury problem, shows conceptual design thinking and displays superior execution with a luxury feel. This designer has been creating inventive home décor in the luxury space. His products are both artistic and practical and are undoubtedly original.'
- Luxury Law Summit jury
SPEAKING, WRITING, TEACHING & CONSULTING
Jim has spoken at the Design Council, Footprint Scenery, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the Koppel Project (for the Amazing Dyslexics), the think tank Public Policy Exchange, Material Matters, Creative UK's Creative Coalition Festival 2023 and Designjunction. He has been interviewed by Brent Bambury for CBC radio's Day 6 program and Richard Macer for BBC FOUR's documentary 'Farther and Sun: A Dyslexic Road Trip'.
Jim has consulted for Wildhorse and Seedball, and is a founding member of Dyversity Lab, a collective of people who naturally think differently.
Jim has taught at the University of the Arts in London, Università di Trento in Italy, University of Greenwich in London, the Great Exhibition Road Festival and Creative Briefs. He interviewed Kristjana S. Williams for Neurodiversity in Albertopolis (NDIA).
Jim has written for It's Nice That, the RSA, Footprint and his rather neglected blog.
DYSLEXIC DESIGN
In 2016, Jim curated the exhibition Dyslexic Design, which was designed by Ab Rogers and hosted by designjunction. The show challenged perceptions of dyslexia by accentuating its positive effects and its close association with design. Dyslexic Design is a Silver Winner in the London Design Awards; category: Pop-Ups, Display, Exhibit & Set Design. It was also nominated for the iF Social Impact Prize 2017 for Health & Demographic Change. Many now consider Jim's work to be a symbol of the gifts that dyslexia can bring.
"I wouldn't be able to do what I do if I wasn't dyslexic," says Jim Rokos. "I can play with shapes and do experiments in my head."
- Simon Usborne for the Guardian
'Jim believes the way dyslexics process information can contribute to the development of an idiosyncratic design style.'
- Philippa Wyatt for the Design Council
'Jim Rokos thinks dyslexics are highly creative problem solvers who think in ways that make for killer designs.'
- Margaret Rhodes for WIRED
'In Rokos's telling, designers with dyslexia are especially good at solving problems in unconventional ways.'
- John Brownlee for Fast Company
'It is my belief that I am able to design the way I do because of my dyslexia and not despite it." said curator Jim Rokos.'
- Emma Tucker for Dezeen
All copyright, design rights and intellectual property rights existing in our designs and products are and will remain the property of Jim Rokos. We will treat any infringement of these rights seriously. Please feel welcome to re-post images, as long as Jim Rokos is credited and a link to our web site is included.
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