Interview with Jimmy Walker

Greetings Jimmy! Could you give us a short bio about you, how did you start and what's your current position?
I think I got my first computer when I was 15 years old.It was a beige Windows 3.1 machine and was painfully slow.
I remember spending hours thumbing through a 900 page html bible trying to figure how to center a table properly. Atthat time, the idea of being able to create something and instantly upload it for world to see really blew me away. In 2003 I graduated from college with a degree in fine arts & painting. My true passion was graphic design but it wasn't being offered at the university I was attending. After graduating college I landed a job in LA. I spent the next few years at different shops around town, gaining experience and making talented friends along the way. About a year and a half ago some of those friends and I started our own company and decided to call it Bad Assembly.

We would like to know a little background behind Bad Assembly. How it was founded, how is it going now, and plans for the future.
A while back two friends and I suddenly found ourselves without day jobs. We realized then that it was time to start our own shop. The three of us had been working together in one capacity or another for the previous 3 years and had always talked about starting our own gig. It's a scary thing to break out on your own. Your responsibilities quadruple. Suddenly you're in charge of schedules, budgets, payroll - all on top of managing and producing all of the creative. We really didn't know what to expect or if we'd be able to find work in a town already full of web shops. Thankfully things for Bad Assembly have been amazing since then and we've been cautiously growing the company as time goes by. We realize that too much too soon for a small company can be hazardous. Since our creation we've had the opportunity to work with some great clients and are excited about what the future holds. We plan to keep growing and to continue to do work that we can be proud of.

What are your company worst client and why?
I think everyone has probably had that one client that made them want to tear their hair out by the handful. Truth be told, 95% of the clients we've worked with have been amazing. You do, however, from time to time work with a client who is helplessly internet illiterate. It's always a challenge to work with someone that has no understanding of your field but you do your best to educate as you go. We have definitely encountered a few of these along the way but I won't name names. You just have to live and learn.

The best company client and why?
Tough question. It really depends on how you define "best". I think the best client is one that openly encourages creativity and innovation and is receptive to new ways of thinking. We currently work with a few clients who do just that and we couldn't be happier.

What could you suggest to people that willing to work in your company?
If you know how to break dance we're going to hire you. We definitely need someone who can break dance on our team. I'm talking head spins, flares, and especially the robot. You don't /have /to be able to break dance to work with us, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

Can you describe the work process, after you got a client and when the job is done. In details please.
I'd imagine our work process isn't much different than most. Usually things go from concept/design to development/testing to final launch, with some overlap between. We tend to spend a lot of time scrutinizing our work internally to make sure we're happy with the final product. I think one of the keys to creating successful work is keeping everyone personally invested in the project until the very end.

Do you think US market is the best for web design
companies/web designers? Why?
I think the US market is certainly a strong one, not only for web companies but for advertising in general. Between tv and the web the amount of ads one sees on a daily basis is almost mind boggling. The United States is a consumer-based market so it makes sense that brands would be constantly trying to one-up each other. This competition for consumer interest exists all over the world but in the U.S., and especially in Los Angeles, there is another billboard (with a web address on it) waiting around every corner.

What is your opinion if someone of your designers has no inspiration, but you have the deadline?
It is true that you can't force inspiration. Great ideas come at will and inspiration usually hits like a ton of bricks. Instantly you're full of ideas. I believe it is called "accidental discovery". That's how Doc Brown discovered the flux capacitor so you know I'm not making this stuff up. If someone isn't feeling inspired it usually is because they are trying too hard. As long as someone is actively seeking inspiration it will never happen. If we're up against a deadline and can't find the inspiration we need, it is best to take a short break, clear your head and then try try again.

What are your thoughts that many designers copy each other?
I suppose it goes back to a lack of inspiration. If someone is copying your work it should be seen as a sign of flattery. I don't advocate deliberate copying but if someone says their work is without influence then they aren't being honest with themselves. It's how you channel that influence that leads to original thought. I ran into
this when I was in art school with people saying to one another "you copied this or that artist". The truth is that copycatting occurs everywhere, from tv to fine art to nature - it's just easier to do and costs less on the internet.

How do you rest? What are your offline hobbies?
In my spare time I'm either watching, playing or reading about soccer. I'm a massive Arsenal FC supporter so that takes up a good chunk of my time. I'm also pretty much addicted to video games (isn't everyone?). I've also got a little microKorg keyboard a few guitars that I mess around with from time to time, usually when I'm bored from video games. Other than that, it's work work work!

How do you feel, when client dislikes the work you did?
No one likes to be told their work didn't make the cut. Fortunately I got used to criticism in art school, so when work doesn't get chosen it isn't too hard for me to handle. Usually if you've missed the mark it is because you didn't clearly understand what the client was looking for. They key to avoiding this is to always make sure you
have a solid understanding of your client's values and concerns before diving into a project.

What is your favorite music and movies?
Another difficult question. My tastes are constantly changing which is probably one of the reasons I don't have any tattoos. I'd say right now I'm a big fan of most of the artists on Ed Banger's label, especially Justice. I also have a soft spot for acts like Wilco and Spoon. As for movies I'm a big Coen Brothers fan (Big Lebowski, Fargo) and I also have love hits from the 80s like
Goonies, This is Spinal Tap, Rad (amazing bmx movie) and Purple Rain. Honestly, I think this question deserves its own interview.

Favorite font and why?
On one hand I really love fonts like ITC Avant Garde, Avenir and Univers but I find that they tend to be overused. The same goes with Helvetica. On the other hand,I really gravitate towards fonts that you might come across in an old magazine from the 70s, like Gary Gillot's Carousel. I don't often have the opportunity to use fonts like that but I absolutely love the expression in the forms.

MAC or PC? Why?
For a long time I worked on a PC, mainly because they were more affordable and could run flash smoother. Recently I picked up a MacBook Pro and have to say that I can't stop using it. I guess you could call me a mac convert. Using a mac is just more fun, it's that simple. That said, I don't think what system you work on has any bearing on the quality of work you are capable of producing. The computer is just a tool and the logo painted on the side is no more important than the pair of shoes you're wearing.