Arts
James Howard is a teacher, design historian, industrial designer, and inventor of over 300 products with 18 patents. He's currently the owner-operator of Entrepreneurial U, a specialty private design school. Prior to teaching at the county college of Morris in New Jersey, Professor Howard was the owner-operator of the award-winning Howard Design Agency, an industrial design practice whose clients included Coca-Cola, Colgate Palmolive, and Johnson & Johnson. James is also the owner of Cozy Cupboard Tearoom of Morristown, New Jersey. The English-style business has been a regional favorite for over 10 years. James serves as the Executive Director of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame, a virtual museum devoted to immortalizing African-Americans whose noteworthy inventions have improved lives, yet gone unnoticed. Listen in to learn more about: James’ journey to become an industrial designer The Howard Design Agency James’ years teaching design Entrepreneurial U Growth mindset The power of optimism – in work, and in life Show Highlights [01:55] James talks about his journey into design, and his big sister Doris. [03:11] Entering his first drawing contest as a young boy. [03:16] The disappointment of not getting into the graphic design program – and James’ shift into industrial design as a result. [05:31] Challenges James faced during his undergraduate and graduate years. [08:56] Getting into graduate school. [10:38] James’ struggles with his first mentor in graduate school. [12:30] How things changed once he had a strong mentor on his side. [13:15] Winning a design award from RESNA. [14:01] His first job as an industrial designer. [15:49] James’ advice for people dealing with bumps in the road. [16:49] Why James decided to start his own design agency. [19:51] 15 years at the Howard Design Agency. [21:10] How running his own agency changed the way James thought about design. [23:17] James offers advice on how to make a good pitch. [26:42] The decision to leave his design agency and begin teaching. [30:59] Founding Entrepreneurial U. [32:09] James talks about the Bridge program, which helps adults change career pathways. [32:51] The importance of cultivating a growth mindset. [33:51] James as the perpetual optimist, and passing that optimism on to his students. [36:16] Doodling as a second language, to tell stories and convey ideas. [38:07] Resources James recommends. [41:18] Where to find out more about James and his work. [42:30] The Black Inventors’ Hall of Fame. [46:20] Fluid Hive’s resources for those wanting to learn and practice design thinking. Links James on LinkedIn Entrepreneurial U Black Inventors’ Hall of Fame A Conversation with James Howard, Perpetual Optimist The History of Black Industrial Designers Book Recommendation: Marketing for the Small Design Firm, by Jim Morgan Book Recommendation: Who Moved My Cheese: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life, by Spencer Johnson Book Recommendation: Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us, by Tom Kelley and David Kelley Book Recommendation: Rebel Talent: Why It Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life, by Francesca Gino Book Recommendation: The Universal Traveler, by James Bagnell and Don Koberg Other Design Thinking 101 Episodes You Might Like Learning Service Design + Leading Service Transformation with Clive Grinyer — DT101 E66 Integrating Engineering, Design and Business with Tony Hu — DT101 E35 Leading a Design Thinking Consultancy, Betting Small to Win Big, and Driving Business Growth with Design Thinking with Natalie Foley — DT101 E5