Meet James eccleston: a brand strategist, founder of brand and ux studio, bridge studio, and online course teacher

Not only has James worked with Virgin, Xiaomi and IED but he owns his own branding and UX studio called Bridge Studio. James also teaches Branding, Typography and UX design. James’ most recent Domestika course for designers is called “Brand Strategy for Online Platforms” and it is awesome!  It’s such a pleasure to have you on the #DESIGNWITHDOT blog James!

1. Tell us how your design career led you from London to Argentina?

I was living in London when I turned 30, I had just sold my house and quit working for a large brand and I thought it was a good idea to explore the world a little. I had the feeling if I didn’t go now, I would never leave. So I planned a 6 month sabbatical in Argentina and ended up staying for 4 years. I worked as a UX designer for a tech startup in Buenos Aires then I was creative director for a travel platform. I spent a lot of money on steak, ice cream and empanadas in Buenos Aires, the rest I just squandered.

2. Tell us a little bit more about your Domestika course “Brand Strategy for Online Platforms”? Also, who is this course perfect for?

So this course is perfect for designers who want to be more than pixel pushers.

In a constantly evolving digital ecosystem, adapting to new digital platforms and formats is commonplace for designers. And in the rush to stay up to date, they risk becoming a visual “doer” rather than a conceptual thinker. Adaptability is key, however, the true purpose of a designer is to interpret a brand’s vision through shape and color to best connect them with their audience.

This course guides designers through a clear and methodical approach for thinking conceptually about digital branding strategy, demonstrating how this approach creates more powerful and cohesive brands.

3. What’s your dream? (Where do you want to see your life and the world in 10 years? Year 2031!?

I don’t think you can really plan that far ahead, I would never have planned to be where I am now 10 years ago, so sometimes it’s best to play it by ear. I think it’s better to point yourself in a direction then see where it takes you.

There are both positive and negative things happening in the world right now. Since the pandemic hit I have seen people reconnect with their local neighbourhood community and take the environment more seriously. However there has also been a trend of people being polarised on the left and right and not being able to find any common ground, these seems to be accelerated by social media. Who knows where these trends will lead us in 10 years.

4. You’ve worked with so many amazing brands and projects. What type of projects are your favourite and why?

I love projects where I can see a direct impact that my work has on the clients business. I really enjoy being able to facilitate a brand workshop with a client and create and environment where ideas can flourish. The sector isn’t as important as long as it has a positive effect on the community. Two projects spring to mind I’ve done recently. One was creating a brand for a medical start-up in Italy that helps people with low vision problems and the second was an independent shop in Madrid that sells natural wine and ethically sourced coffee from Colombia.

5. What advice would you give to your younger self 10 years ago?

Just think about what you want to do and have the confidence to do it, also stop drinking after 3am, nothing good ever comes after drinking at that hour.

6. What are your thoughts on social media? Hate it? Can’t live with out it? Give us your best social media tip or insight!

It’s a tool, use it to create positive change. I’ve met some fantastic people via the internet / social media. I’ve also noticed the negative effects that seem to be also tied to digital addiction and loss of attention. My tip would be to set a specific time to interact on social media and don’t let it dominate your attention all day.

7. What is your philosophy about life? Or a mantra, quote or proverb you want to share with us?

I’m a cynical optimist.

8. What’s your dream travel destination or the next place you want to visit? #TravelWithDot

Just before the pandemic hit I had a trip booked to India and the foothills of the Himalayas. I was going to do my photography project where I ask people wherever I travel what made them happy that week and take their portrait.

9. What’s your favourite food experience you would take me to in Buenos Aires, and what would we eat? #EatWithDot

There are two. First up is Lo de Mary, it’s a classic neighbourhood parilla in Almagro. There is a guy who looks about 80 cooking the meat, which is the best I’ve tasted, (the meat that is). Its walls are adorned with dusty old bottles of wine. The second is an ice cream place round the corner which is open until about 1am and is perfect for those hot humid nights in Buenos Aires.

10. Who has been a mentor or someone you have looked up to for advice and inspiration? How do they help or how have they helped you?

Probably my rugby coach at school. He distilled a lot discipline in the team and gave us a mentality where we expect to win and to win it was key to train hard. His catchphrase was “It’s only pain boy.”

11. Dragon or Unicorn? Why?

A unicorn! I find incredibly valuable to get exposed to everything design, not just (like in my case) illustration, but also branding, product, motion. Even if you don’t necessarily work on all of these things yourself, it really gives you a much better perspective on the whole project and help you deliver something more valuable.