James Anderson
Designer
In their own words
It’s like an instruction manual, prayer book, script and songbook all in one.
I try to think in simple terms, ‘how do I want this to make people feel,’ while at the same time thinking of ways to make the project interesting for myself.
As we enter the age of AI graphics, I like to make things that look a little bit ugly, fucked up or amateurish to remind people that it was made by a human being.
I love designing logos because you are taking a huge surplus of information and distilling it into a single teeny tiny asset.
Articles & interviews
- "Redefining Passover: Design Challenges Tradition and Identity"
Elizabeth Goodspeed explores how contemporary designers are reimagining the Passover Haggadah as a living design object. Featuring work by Dani Balenson, James Anderson, and Deborah Khodanovich, the article examines how modern Haggadot blend tradition with contemporary design approaches, materials, and cultural reflection. It positions the Haggadah as both a ritual guide and a zine-like artifact of Jewish identity and creativity.
- James Anderson Credited Design Skills to His Mother's Influence
The article profiles NYC-based designer James Anderson, exploring his self-taught journey and philosophy that blends research, intuition, and playfulness. It highlights his logo design for sound system designer Joel Seigle and his preference for human, imperfect aesthetics in an era of AI-generated graphics. The piece underscores Anderson’s informal education, creative independence, and distinctive approach to branding.