Jeremy Dimmock is a partner in the award-winning, multidisciplinary motion + design studio, Polyester, that most recently worked with Axiom to design and direct the end titles for the 2009 film Land of the Lost. Previously Jeremy created film titles and identity, branding and merchandising programs for a wide array of youth-oriented clients and entertainment and lifestyle properties. His design and branding work include programs for Shrek, War of the Worlds, Nacho Libre, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar 2.
05.11.10
Between Design and Cooking
If you have a degree in what field is it? I switched around my major from sculpture to photography to illustration but finally graduated from a graphic design program after seven long years of art school.
Which designer (or design studio), other than yours, do you most admire? Struck/Axiom and Nessim Higson of iamalwayshungry (producing great work outside of a studio environment is far more difficult than doing it with the support offered by a studio).
What’s the strangest request you've received from a client? To add more penis content to the project; not surprisingly the results made the client a bit nervous.
If you weren't working as a designer what would you be doing? I’d be a chef. I think there are a lot of similarities between design and cooking.
What well-known identity is most desperately in need of a redesign? Rogers is one of the biggest brands in Canada and is handled with such a heavy hand. They need to rethink about how they communicate, then look at a complete redesign.
From where do your best ideas originate? From not thinking about them—usually after the job has already been done.
How do you overcome a creative block? By trying not to think or obsess about the problem and moving on to solve a different one—solutions always become apparent when it's least expected.
What’s your dream project (not client, but project)? Any project in print or motion with creative freedom and the chance to create something with personality. Oh, and a decent print/sound/music budget is always appreciated.
Do you have creative outlets other than graphic design? I’ve recently taken up cooking and have gotten a bit obsessive about it.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? My approach is to someday find a balance. Right now I’m taking one day a week and forcing myself to not go into the studio. I find it helps to produce better work during the other six days.
What product/gadget can you not live without? A notebook and a pen.
What’s your favorite quote? “Do what you love and love what you do.” —Chris Walker
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Do work you want to be doing, find places that allow you to do that work, be passionate about what you’re doing and keep producing work and being open to critical feedback on everything you do.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? Creating something cool and creating something cool, that also solves a client’s problem, are very different. One is meaningless and the other is the only thing that matters.