London based illustrator James Dawe graduated from the University of Brighton in 2006 before returning to the familiar but rapidly changing surrounds of Dalston (where he was brought up) and now works.

Specializing in contemporary photo collage James gained valuable experience of the creative industry while interning at Village Green, where he worked on various projects including the iconic posters for Fabric nightclub as well as campaigns for Sky Sports. Currently represented by Pocko, James is deservedly creating a name for himself having recently worked with Wieden+Kennedy on a press campaign for the Guardian.

What have you got planned this week?

I want to find a decent library and go to museums to source some imagery for a couple of projects I need to get off the ground. For one project I’d like to photograph zoo type animals but rather than spending a day at London Zoo (however much fun) I may try and find somewhere which preserves certain creatures in jars or keeps their bones. I’ve got an appointment with the dentist to look forward to on Friday aswell. Avoiding doing accounting for my income tax seems to be a regular weekly occurrence too.

What do your parents think you do?

My parents are fairly with it in terms of knowing what I do for a living although my Dad only seems interested if it’s something that appears in the newspaper or for a big commercial client.

Who do you look like?

Now I’ve grown my hair out from a skin head and acquired a side parting perceptions may have changed a bit. I have had Steve Coogan once, which I can’t really see, especially not in his Alan Partridge guise! One of my mates thinks I look like gangland criminal Kenneth Noye, who’s doing time for manslaughter. Nice.

What’s your favourite sense?

Because I’ve been thinking about this recently I instantly would say taste. Eating well is very important to me and after finishing one meal I’m sometimes already thinking about the next. Sight would have to come a close second obviously.

Tell us something people don’t know about you…

I passed grade 6 at classical guitar and have sadly long since forgotten most of what I learnt (including how to read music), but have intentions of taking it up again one day although it involves a lot of patience and discipline.

Did your education count?

Yes, very much so as it’s prepared me for what I do now. The illustration course at Brighton was well structured and competitive. I have had some influencial tutors, I suppose you could say mentors who have encouraged and got the best out of me. A lot of friends at secondary school wanted to go straight into jobs at 16 and I was being swayed in that direction. Reluctantly I went to sixth form, loved it and excelled from there. For me it was the right choice.

What word can’t you spell?

When typing fast and being a bit casual I still get the theres/theirs the wrong way round and my mum still points this out.

Tell us a good fact

Hackney Marshes has the highest concentration of football pitches in the world.

What’s Next?

It’s a dilemma because I’d like to produce more self initiated personal work and at the same time earn more money. Unless you’re pretty on top of your game the commercial work always means somewhat of a compromise. What Stephan Sagmeister did, by shutting his studio down for a year to take on person projects has to be admired (if you can afford to do it). I’d like to collaborate more with my contemporaries, such as photographers and animators and tutoring has recently crossed my mind. I must be getting old! Working abroad has always been a challenge I would like to give myself as I grew up in London and a permanent change would be welcome.

What’’s your ‘Plan B’?

Live the lifestyle of Keith Floyd and travel the world experiencing wonderful food. Definitely not returning to work in retail.

www.jamesdawe.co.uk