[quote style=”boxed”]Though lots of hard work, experimentation and being surrounded by great people. How else do you bring ideas to life?[/quote]
A deep appreciation for visual art and architecture has helped to shape Jay Dokken’s approach to design. Launching his career as a designer with MTV, he then left to work with the world-renowned frog Design, where he honed his skills and eye for innovation with Fortune 500 clients. In 2004, Jay co-founded Design Commission, where he continues to push the idea of what it means to effectively communicate with visual design.
What are you working on right now?
Building a house, UI Stencils, Luxe Plates, Design Commission – In that order.
What does your typical day look like?
Not sure I have a typical day. But what I will talk about is that some days have a better rhythm than others. The days I tend to be more satisfied with have a tremendous amount of vareity. When client meetings, welding, design production and creative problem solving happen all in one day, I’m happy.
3 trends that excite you?
Collapse of the middle man. Data explosion. Wireless computing
How do you bring ideas to life?
Through lots of hard work, experimentation and being surrounded by great people. How else do you bring ideas to life?
What inspires you?
I’m really inspired by creators and doers. Anyone who makes things. Process inspires me, how something gets accomplished is often more interesting than the final result.
What is one mistake you’ve made, and what did you learn from it?
Not learning how to delegate. Have trust in the people you work with.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
It’s not enough to create something useful. You have to create something desirable.
What do you read every day, and why?
New York Times. Seattle Times. Geek Wire… to feel connected to the world, the region and it’s tech community.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read, and why?
I don’t read books, just the internet.
What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?
Apple Mail, Notes, Google Docs, Photoshop, Illustrator, My pickup truck.
Three people we should follow on Twitter, and why?
johnmaeda – Design thinking inspiration.
leeclowsbeard – Advertising and communication veteran.
hotdogsladies – Funny tech dude.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
T.A. McCann
When is the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it.
My 3 year old makes me laugh all the time. The last time she caused it she was saying ‘poopy’ repeatedly.
Connect
[email protected]
twitter: jaydokken
LinkedIn: Jay Dokken
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.