CO-FOUNDER AND CCO MOVING BRANDS, SAN FRANCISCO CA
Jim Bull co-founded Moving Brands® in 1998. He was instrumental in developing the firm’s innovative Moving Brands approach to branding, storytelling and experience design which has seen the company become the leading independent, global creative company it is today. As Chief Creative Officer, Jim is responsible for the creative output of the business across its studios in London, Zurich, San Francisco, and New York. He is based in San Francisco where he has creatively led engagements with Moving Brands clients such as Microsoft, Google, Sony, Apple and DeviantArt. Jim is a regular keynote speaker and interviewee for creative, design and business publications.
WHERE OR HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR DESIGN WORK?
I don’t have go-to design inspiration. I prefer free association and link seemingly irrelevant objects or moments. It sounds a little lofty, but it really isn’t. I simply focus on the challenge, stare into it, then shift focus to a completely different object, person or visual. Continuing to stare reveals new perspectives to the challenge ‒ I trust in that free association more than design inspiration.
HOW DOES WHERE YOU WERE BORN, GREW UP OR LIVE NOW AFFECT YOUR DESIGN SENSIBILITY OR STYLE?
I was born on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of the UK. I studied in London and then set up Moving Brands there in 1998. I then came to live in San Francisco in 2011. Having lived in multiple cities and countries, I can absolutely say that it gives you an advantage and unique perspective ‒ I use it all the time in my work.
FAVORITE COLOR?
Black
FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
I do not have a favorite typeface ‒ they all have their place in the world
FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Right now it has to be Toast of London
FAVORITE BOOKS?
My current sketch book
FAVORITE MOVIES?
Magnolia, The Village, Raging Bull, The Shining, The Double Life of Veronique, Dumbo
FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
Depeche Mode, Bruce Springsteen, Tori Amos
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?
Twitter
FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Gerhard Richter, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
My greatest strength is self-belief. My greatest weakness is self-belief.
TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Real empathy
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Don’t wait, get on with it
IF NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Film Director
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
It’s easy for tinfoil to shine in shit
