Jim Rokos Design

Designers Monica Chong, Vincenzo Di Maria, Jim Rokos, and Christina Worsing made up the Allendale Industrial Heritage team. Given a chance to explore the natural, social and built environment, what struck them deeply were the invisible elements of the town’s lead mining past. Much of the physical evidence of Allendale’s industry appears to have faded away as it has decayed and slowly been consumed by its natural surroundings. Often, the built environment, if it remains at all, becomes a relic. Original forms leave only partial traces of a life that once was in full motion. Usually it is these tangible leftovers we seek out when we try to experience our past. We visit historic sites and stare at the bits that are within our scope. But for every form we are able to grasp, there remains a counter-form as well—a piece that sits invisibly alongside.
With the desire to illuminate these moments of Allendale’s industrial heritage, the team has proposed a series of four light-based installations to fill in the gaps, which time and space has erased. Light provides the proof our eyes often require to make sense of a physical world that no longer exists. Yet it also taps into the ephemera and fleeting nature of an intangible reality that remains intact. These four installations sustained by hydroelectric power from the Allen River, will run continuously yet be most pronounced during the evening hours. We are proposing a self-guided experience whereby visitors move at their own pace and draw their own conclusions. In the hopes of supporting an open-ended experience, navigation and explicit background information will be kept to a minimum. Transportation to and from Allendale as well between installations will be provided. Cues and clues will be available ranging from introductory communications at the DOTT festival to embedded markers throughout the town. Light is the guiding principle of this project. It will act as a beacon throughout the community to indicate locations, people, and resources that make up the experience. If seeking help, insight, or conversation, we encourage people to simply move towards the light. The rest will take care of itself. Ultimately, by interacting on one’s own terms, we believe connections between past and present have the greatest chance of being felt and known.


ROKOS Wins Enterprise Europe Network Awards 2014 - Winner category: New Markets Rokos won the Enterprise Europe Network Awards 2014 for the New Markets category. Rokos works closely with a manufacture in the Giant Mountains of Bohemia, in the Czech Republic, near Prague. Designer Jim’s Grandfather was originally from Prague and he came to England during World War II. Making the most of the net effect - Business Planet: The Enterprise Europe Network: When we were looking for an appropriate manufacturer for the Gauge vase, we reached out to the Enterprise Europe Network office at UCL in London for help. Few manufacturers had the exceptional craftsmanship needed to produce high quality crystal to to our challenging technical specifications. Aware of the Czech Republic's distinguished glassmaking tradition, Enterprise Europe Network London contacted their Czech counterparts with a detailed brief of the technical specifications and quality required. Enterprise Europe Network colleagues in Prague then used their local knowledge and contacts to identify the most promising leads. As a result, Glassworks Harrachov - the Czech Republic's oldest glass manufacturer, produced prototypes, and is going on to manufacture two sizes of the vase in three colours. British designer Jim Rokos said: "I know how incredibly difficult it is to find the right manufacturer and I can only imagine it must have taken a lot of work and brilliance. All my thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network and I can only recommend them to designers looking to find the right match to make their product ideas happen." Visit een.ec.europa.eu for the official awards winner announcement article. Visit euronews.com for the full story of Rokos and the Czech Republic crystal glass manufacture. 3 September 2014

Design Junction, London Design Festival 2014 Design Junction will offer the Crystal Gauge vase its very first public appearance. Rokos works closely with a crystal manufacture in the Czech Republic, near Prague. Rokos and the manufacturer have been nominated to be finalists of the Enterprise Europe Network Awards for New Markets. The winner will be announced in September, after the London Design Festival. This September will also be the launch of the long awaited 22° 36° 48° stainless steel bowl. We look forward to welcoming you to stand F61A. Opening hours as follow: Thursday 18 September 11am–9pm Friday 19 September 11am–8pm Saturday 20 September 11am–8pm Sunday 21 September 11am–5pm Click here to see photos. 13 August 2014

Paul Smith No. 9 Albemarle Street We are very proud that the 22° 36° 48° Bowl is on display in Paul Smith's new Shop on Albemarle Street, Mayfair W1S 4BL. More photos here. 7 March 2014

22° 36° 48° Bowl posters in London Underground The 22° 36° 48° Bowl has gone underground. More photos here. 22 February 2014

UAL Showroom The Rokos Gauge vase has been selected for display at The Creative Outlet, at the University of the Arts London Showroom, 272 High Holborn, WC1V 7EY. The showcase of original products and gift ideas designed and produced by UAL students & alumni, running until 3rd January. 20 November 2013

Rokos is exhibiting at the Pulse 2013 Come and see our new work in progress, at 'Selected' presented by UAL Central Saint Martins. Earls Court, London. 12 - 14 May 2013 6 June 2013

Philosophical Toys 'Mirror Mirror' is displayed at The Window Gallery, Central Saint Martins, Kings Cross. For more information about the exhibition, please see Philisophical Toys. 27 March – 26 April 2013 More photos here. 15 February 2013

Rokos is exhibiting at the The Startup Showcase. The 13° 60° 104° wine decanter and 22° 36° 48° Bowl are displayed at The Startup Showcase. Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, London. 23 - 24 March 2013 More photos here. 15 February 2013

Rokos is exhibiting at the Home 2013. The 13° 60° 104° wine decanter and 22° 36° 48° Bowl are displayed at Home 2013 Stand E50. Earls Court 2, London. 13 - 15 January 2013 2 November 2012

Rokos is exhibiting at the UAL Showroom. The 13° 60° 104° Wine Decanter is now in the window of the UAL Showroom. UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON 272 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EY. 21 October 2012

Rokos is exhibiting at Design Junction during London Design Festival The 13° 60° 104° wine decanter and 22° 36° 48° Bowl are displayed at Design Junction Stand F28. If you fancy an artistic weekend or taking couple of hours off on a weekday, please come and visit us on Floor 1, at The Sorting Office, 21-31 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BA. 19 - 23 September 2012 More photos here. 30 August 2012

'Out of Control' at the Design and Emotion Conference The 13° 60° 104° wine decanter, My Other Half and 'Till Death Do Us Part will be exhibited during the 8th International Conference on Design and Emotion, which will be held at Central Saint Martins, Kings Cross campus. While Design & Emotion is the overarching focus of the conference (allowing us to consider all aspects of the relationship between human experience and design understood in its widest senses) the theme this year is 'Out of Control'. 11 - 14 September 30 August 2012

Rokos wins RedDot award 2012 The 13° 60° 104° decanter wins the 2012 Reddot for Product Design. RedDot: "I am therefore pleased to inform you that you are among the winners of this years's "red dot award: product design". You were able to prevail over extremely ambitious competitors in one of the most reowned design contests in the world. I cordially congratulate you on your award - also on behalf of the red dot jurors!" 31 July 2012

Pulse Earls Court, London. Stand R20 The 13° 60° 104° Decanter and the 22° 36° 48° bowl join the University of the Arts graduates for this exhibition in the show's Launchpad area. With very special thanks to Xavi of The Decorators for curating and the UOA team, Vicky Fabbri of Student Enterprise and Employability and Ismaril Wells of the Innovation Centre. Pulse, 10-12 June 2012 More photos here. 11 June 2012

Soho Flea Market Dean ST, W1 Timeout London Magazine: "Soho’s Dean Street will be closed down to traffic and transformed into the very first Soho Flea Market, all in support of the Terrence Higgins Trust. It boasts an awe inspiring list of creative stallholders all rubbing shoulders with music and comedy performances throughout the day. Jim Rokos is a brilliant homeware designer with a stack of awards under his belt to prove it (as well as a former life as a modelmaker for the Muppets). His products, such as his striking tipped wine decanter and bowls, are design icons in waiting. Perfect manly gifts for Father's Day." 27 May 2012

Arts and Business Awards Central Saint Martins, King Cross, London. 22 May 2012

Saltoun Supper Club Carved radishes mirrored in the 22° 36° 48° Bowl at the Saltoun Supper Club, carved and photographed by chef Arno Maasdorp. 19 May 2012 19 May 2012

The Vaudeville Hootenanny 176 Prince of Wales Road, London 'Zabludowicz Collection, a dazzling display of creative splendour designed to edify, amaze and uplift. Presented by School for Creative Startups. This two day creative extravaganza features a variety of handmade products, fashion accessories and home goods, vintage fairground fun and hands on activities.' 21 - 22 January 2012 January 2012

100% Design 2011 Earls Court, London. Stand X63 Come to Stand X63 and say hello. 100% Design, 22 - 25 September 2011 September 2011

Everyday Delights Tent London, Truman Brewery, Stand G01 JJAM curators collective challenged London based designers to reinvent the classic yellow duster in a way never imagined before. The project aims to expose the creativity of London's contemporary design scene. 'Home Sweet Home' was designed in collaboration with Vasso Asfi. 23 - 26 September 2010 September 2010

Think + Make A6 Asola Farms, Chhatarpur, New Delhi (India) The University of the Arts London in association with RSA: the event is a collection of process, works and designs carried out by alumni of the UAL in collaboration with some of India’s leading manufacturers in the field of textiles, fashion, furniture and product design. September 2009

New packaging for the 'Cat flip' July 2009

'Cat flip' features on 'The Apprentice' BBC Two, Series 5, Episode 7, Thursday 7th May 2009, 11:20pm "It is week seven, and only nine candidates remain in the battle to become Sir Alan's apprentice. Following their early morning wake-up call, everyone is excited when they are told they must pack an overnight bag. In a task designed to test their sales skills, Sir Alan sends them to the North of England, where they must select two new innovative products to sell to trade. Determined that everyone should sell, Sir Alan gives each candidate their own individual order books with strict instructions to notch up as many orders as possible. But in these tough economic times, can everyone live up to his expectations? As ever, Nick and Margaret are on hand to observe and report back to Sir Alan in the boardroom, where he will cross-examine the teams before deciding who gets fired..." May 2009

Social Innovation Camp Designing a web tool to create social change. The idea was to bring together people who grow food in their home, allotment, small holding or farm with people who want to buy locally produced, natural, wholesome foods, by providing an easy to use, online marketplace. 5 - 7 December 2008 December 2008

'Cat flip' pop up shop Designersblock had a pop up shop inside Selfridges, selling the Pedal Bowl, which ran over the London Design Festival. 5 September - 22 October 2008 October 2008

Installation for Michael Anastassiades Designer Michael Anastassiades asked me to build a cardboard model of the Sigmar gallery, for the planning of an exhibition running over London Design week 2008. I was also responsible for planning and overseeing the installation of the work. September 2008 See model and installation here. September 2008

Selfridges shop window Oxford Street, London Curated by Designersblock. The installation gives the effect of a kaleidoscope using multifaceted mirrors. A light box at the back is covered by a radiant light film, which changes colour as people on the street walk by the window. The effect gives a fascinating, multi-coloured kaleidoscopic display. 5 September 2008 More info here. September 2008

Pulse Earls Court, London The Cat-Flip and Mirror Mirror join University of the Arts graduates for this exhibition. With thanks to Tim Hoar of the Innovation Centre. June 2008 June 2008

NESTA's 'Innovation Edge' Conference Royal Festival Hall, London RSA Design Directions award winning Mindplan, on exhibition at NESTA's flagship conference. May 2008 May 2008

Discover Europe International Design Festival Hangzhou, China Mirror mirror, Cat-Flip and Mindplan take a trip to China. April 2008 More photos here. April 2008

Winner for ‘Think Again’- Recovery from mental illness, RSA 2008 Winning entry 'Mindplan' is a method for people recovering from a life changing illness, to maintain a healthy life balance. 2008

Hidden Art Rich Mix, London Shortlisted for Best Appearance during London Design Festival Awards Exhibition. December 2007 December 2007

Dott 07 Festival Baltic Square, Newcastle. Revealing the Invisible celebrates the forgotten lead mining industry of Allendale. Blue light art installations reveal the ruins true to their form. The result of a Sustainable Tourism Design Camp as part of Dott 07 (Design of the Times). (Also part of the FRED Festival 2007)16 - 28 October 2007. Designers Monica Chong, Vincenzo Di Maria, Jim Rokos, and Christina Worsing made up the Allendale Industrial Heritage team. Given a chance to explore the natural, social and built environment, what struck them deeply were the invisible elements of the town’s lead mining past. Much of the physical evidence of Allendale’s industry appears to have faded away as it has decayed and slowly been consumed by its natural surroundings. Often, the built environment, if it remains at all, becomes a relic. Original forms leave only partial traces of a life that once was in full motion. Usually it is these tangible leftovers we seek out when we try to experience our past. We visit historic sites and stare at the bits that are within our scope. But for every form we are able to grasp, there remains a counter-form as well—a piece that sits invisibly alongside. With the desire to illuminate these moments of Allendale’s industrial heritage, the team has proposed a series of four light-based installations to fill in the gaps, which time and space has erased. Light provides the proof our eyes often require to make sense of a physical world that no longer exists. Yet it also taps into the ephemera and fleeting nature of an intangible reality that remains intact. These four installations sustained by hydroelectric power from the Allen River, will run continuously yet be most pronounced during the evening hours. We are proposing a self-guided experience whereby visitors move at their own pace and draw their own conclusions. In the hopes of supporting an open-ended experience, navigation and explicit background information will be kept to a minimum. Transportation to and from Allendale as well between installations will be provided. Cues and clues will be available ranging from introductory communications at the DOTT festival to embedded markers throughout the town. Light is the guiding principle of this project. It will act as a beacon throughout the community to indicate locations, people, and resources that make up the experience. If seeking help, insight, or conversation, we encourage people to simply move towards the light. The rest will take care of itself. Ultimately, by interacting on one’s own terms, we believe connections between past and present have the greatest chance of being felt and known. October 2007

Designersblock London Designersblock's Tenth London Anniversary Show. Nicholls & Clarke Building. London E1. 20 - 23 September 2007 Semptember 2007

DOTT Design camp Allendale, near Newcastle. 12 - 21 July 2007 See enlarged roll over image here. July 2007

Shortlisted for Design Parade Villa Noailles, Hyeres The ‘Blindspot’ range is short-listed for the second Design Parade festival. 7 – 8 July 2007 July 2007

Innovation Centre, opening Central Saint Martins, London The ‘Blindspot’ range is exhibited in the launch of the Innovation Centre’s new exhibition space. 15 May 2007 May 2007

British Design Day, Al Consolato-Generale Britannico 4th Floor, Piazza Sant'Ambrogio 10, Milan. Jim Rokos was invited by the British Consulate in Milan to exhibit Blindspot at the Ambassadors private residence for a special British Design Day promoting British Designers during the Salone. On the occasion of the Milan International Furniture Fair, the British Consulate-General, together with UK Trade & Investment, invite you to their British Design Day a presentation of furniture and furnishings by young British designers. Thursday 19 April 2007, from 10am to 6.30pm More photos here. April 2007

Designersblock, Milan We had a wonderful time with Designersblock at Studio Romeo Gigli, Via Angelo Fumagalli 6, Milan. 18 - 23 April 2007 See enlarged photo here. April 2007

Designersblock: '7 Squatters' Nicholls & Clarke buildings on Shoreditch High Street. September 2006 More photos here. Semptember 2006

Talent Zone 100% east Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London. Find the ‘Cat flip’ exhibited on Brick Lane. September 2006 July 2006

Up All Night Central Saint Martins, The Lethaby Gallery The annual showcase of postgraduate design work from Central Saint Martins. Part of the London Design Festival. September 2006 September 2006

PARK&PRODUCTS Exhibited at a 12 months long production by Public Works, in Kensington Gardens. Featuring the Leaping Rabbit. July 2004 July 2004