Jim Rokos

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I had the great pleasure of chatting with Monocle’s Tom Edwards at Midori House about Rokos, design, and the advantages of dyslexia on Monocle’s Entrepreneurs (if only I could spell it). Massively grateful to Tom Edwards and @laura_kramer for having me. It was so much fun. Link in bio. #RokosDesign #MonocleEntrepreneurs #DesignLife #DyslexiaInDesign #ROKOS

The 13˚ 60˚ 104˚ decanters featured in @homesandgardensofficial ’s article about @sandraflashmanstudio ’s practice. Photo by @annastathakiphoto

Meet Bevan, master engraver at O’Connell’s Engravers. @oconnellsengravers is based at @graysantiques in Mayfair. The company was established in the 1970s by Larry O’Connell and is now into its third generation, run by his grandson James. The 13˚ 60˚ 104˚ decanter is engraved with a unique number so tiny that one must carefully search the surface of the glass to discover it. The detail is engraved in mirror writing so that it reads correctly when viewed through the glass with the decanter is in its upright position. Here we see Bevan hand-engrave a studio sample that will be decorated with Japanese lacquer. We offer personalised engraving. Initials, names, monograms, logos or a memorable date may be added. This candleholder shows the gift recipient’s initials, ‘CK’. We drew lettering options directly onto the glass in various sizes and positions before the client selected the version shown. The font is Bodoni, designed by Giambattista Bodoni in the late eighteenth century. #ROKOS

I am over the moon that the 13˚ 60˚ 104˚ decanter features in today’s The Times LUXX. Science and gadget writer Tom Whipple wonders whether the decanter might help his midlife crisis (while I only wish I were still young enough for one). Huge thanks to Tom - and madly grateful to @kate.reardon and @lisa.grainger for including the @RokosDesign decanter in @thetimesluxury . #ROKOS

I had fun teaching creativity techniques and sharing my work with the Design Foundation Studies Unit students from @hkdi_hongkongdesigninstitute during their visit to @unioftheartslondon last week. It is always interesting to engage with emerging designers at the start of their journey. Thank you so much to @leonlollipop for making it happen.

I am collaborating with photographic artist @lukas.kroulik in an exhibition at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. The exhibition celebrates our shared Eastern Bohemia heritage and our University of the Arts London connection. When I sought a glassmaker for my original small sized crystal Gauge vases, I chose Harrachov glassworks - the oldest still working factory in the Giant Mountains of Bohemia. In part, this choice was to a build a connection with my Czechoslovakian roots. Lukas’s evocative photographic essay emphasises the role of observation in documenting personal and cultural stories. Lukas styles a British biracial artist in handmade garments created by his grandmother, blending his Czech heritage with his experiences in Britain. These images invite viewers to engage with the power of memory and heritage. The collaboration merges our creative paths with personal histories, highlighting a shared appreciation for craft and culture. - ‘Letters from England and the Art of Observation’ will be open until 10th November 2024 at Embassy of the Czech Republic, 26 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QY. By appointment only. Please call 020 7243 7908 or email [email protected].

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us the other week at @bellhousedulwich . Another great chat with @kristjanaswilliams , exchanging creative, business and dyslexic tips.

Work in progress. Prototyped at the @ual_thehub .

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us on Thursday at The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre at the Victoria & Albert Museum, where I had the greatest of pleasures in chatting with the renowned fine artist and designer Kristjana S Williams about dyslexia and creativity: Dyslexia - A Superpower for Creativity Kristjana told us about her life and career, including her childhood in Iceland and her studies at Central Saint Martins, and how she has experienced her dyslexia as a force of creativity and innovation. An audience member afterwards told us that it was like listening to two friends chatting in a pub. In a good way. A big thank you to the @vamuseum Academy team, Grace Nicholson; @kristjanaswilliams studio, Elena Martin.

Work in progress. 🤖 #WIP