EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PEARLFISHER, SAN FRANCISCO CA
After working in the Pearlfisher London studio for six years on a range of brands from Pernod Ricard to Bang & Olufsen, Jon Vallance relocated to the U.S. and has run the San Francisco studio since 2018. As Executive Creative Director, Jon builds and guides the design team retaining the core culture of Pearlfisher while being nimble to the surroundings on the West Coast. He is always searching for compelling creative ideas and ways to help clients that go beyond the confines of the brief. Some highlights to date include earning several DBA: Design Effectiveness Awards and helping to raise £1,000,000 through the power of design to benefit Help For Heroes. Design has led Jon work on different projects around the world, including the German edition of George Orwell’s 1984 book cover and traveling to Havana, Cuba to work with a group of artists in a traditional screen print workshop. When he’s not working, Jon loves travelling and exploring the U.S., skateboarding and printmaking.
THE FUTURE OF THE GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS?
After about a decade of oversimplification in design, we’re entering a resurgence in creative brand expressions led by big ideas. Across the industry, many brands have oversimplified their design presence and, in the process, some touchpoints have gotten stripped back beyond what’s essential. We see an opportunity now when clients approach us and say “we’ve had the essence diluted from our brand, can you put it back in?” So, from this point of view, the future of the design industry is really exciting.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
South West England/worked in London for 10 years/San Francisco CA
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
Somerset College in the UK, a small college in a small town with amazing alumni
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?
The pub. I miss it.
FAVORITE TELEVISION BINGE WATCH?
The original Civilization tv show, with Kenneth Clark, is ace
FAVORITE PODCAST?
I’m pretty promiscuous with podcasts. Lately, How I Built This.
FAVORITE BOOK?
The Art of Looking Sideways by Alan Fletcher.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Jaws
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
I have a Modigliani mug and t-shirt, so that must make him my favorite.
FAVORITE CAUSE/CHARITY?
Plastic Oceans UK. I found it terrifying and inspiring from the moment I saw the documentary on Netflix. Having designed a lot of packaging in my life, it feels like a cause close to my heart.
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Skateboarding
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER?
See previous answer
