Amanda Jane Jones x Revival: An Interview with AJJ

Revival: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Amanda: A jazz singer! I used to sing all the time. My hometown claim-to-fame was that I was invited to sing the national anthem at the Yankees-Royals game. I loved singing. I actually auditioned for the jazz program in college only to find out I'd been to the wrong audition. But I’m grateful everyday that I mixed up the rooms! I’ve loved my career as a designer and illustrator, and it is most certainly my “meant to be” path.  It fits my demeanor and personality so much more. Think how often I would have had to leave the house in the music industry! I kid, but I really do love being home, and working in my slippers with my airpods in.  

Revival: Now what do you want to be when you grow up?

Amanda: With each year that passes, I gain more understanding, more compassion, more patience. I really hope when I grow up, I continue to soften into an even more gentler version of myself…who is still writing books and making art and cuddling her family. 

Revival: How do you think about / approach your practice? 

Amanda: In the beginning of my career, I worried so much about what other people would think. Would so-and-so like this; would so-and-so approve? Now, I’m really just designing what I like and I think that is exciting, because no one else has my point of view, you know? It’s a risk, and sometimes it’s going to flop, but I’m not afraid of flops.  It’s a fun way to approach work—designing what I wish were on the market, and then finding there are people looking for just that. 

Revival: Can you tell us about the genesis of these particular rug designs? Had you been thinking about them for a while? 

Amanda: I’ve been wanting to design rugs for ages! It was on my “dream big list.” But I hadn’t actually mocked anything up. When Ben approached me, he and his wife had my prints from Yum Yummy Yuck in their home. He’d mentioned wanting something of similar whimsy, which was right up my alley. We played with a whole bunch of ideas and shapes and colors and fruits and these just spoke to us! I’m THRILLED with how they turned out. 

The scale of course was new to me, but Christina, Revival’s design director, held my hand through the process. She was great, and didn't really tell me my limitations up front. She let me play and dream, and then we were able to configure the designs that worked best after the fact. Sometimes that's my favorite way to work. Before you know the rules, the outcomes are limitless!

Revival: How did you first come to this work? What's your origin story? 

Amanda: My mom was a photographer and during summers, I’d intern for her. I loved the arts, and knew I wanted to be involved somehow, whether with music or photography, but I’m a natural hermit. Photography had so much social contact—wedding small talk would nearly do me in. My mom introduced me to a graphic designer, anticipating that a career in design would fit my personality a bit better and she was right. It’s been the perfect fit. Then after becoming a parent, I started illustrating and writing books. I spent so much time making art with my kids, and reading books, that my style started to evolve and develop out of play and seeing what my kids were drawn to. It’s been such a fun and surprising career shift!

Revival: Do you have a studio routine or rituals? 

Amanda: Not really! No two days are the same, which I love. The closest thing I have to a ritual I’d say is at the start of each week I make a to do list, but it isn’t always client-related: some can be big dreams! Some small ideas.  Maybe it’s a fun shoot I’ve been wanting to try, or an idea I wanted to test out, or an idea for a new book. That way, when I’m caught up on client work, I’m ready to go with a fun project that’s just for me! No client filter. To be honest, it’s pretty amazing to see how most of those “just for me” projects end up turning into something profitable. It’s kind of like a proactive and productive way of manifesting something! 

Revival: What’s your design ethos / mantra?

Amanda:  It’s ever-evolving, but I always tell myself and others, “there’s only one you.” It’s easy to think that the artistic fields are over-saturated and hard to break into, but there is room for everyone in my opinion. As for design, I’m always simple with pops of color. 

Revival: What are your top 5 things right now? What themes / objects / foods / shows / music / books / inspirations / inputs define this phase of Amanda Jane Jones?

Amanda: Ooo, fun question! Mid century art books, photobooth strips, Django Reinhardt, wooden tchotchkes, and my kids. 

Revival: Tell us about influences / artists or vibes or works you love. 

Amanda: Oh gosh, where to start. I saw Maira Kalman speak when I was in college and her self-taught and organic approach to art is one that always inspires me. Charles and Ray Eames! Yokoo Gibran and her quirky photography. Ella Fitzgerald–I love to listen to her while I work. Rodney Smith. Olle Eksell Illustration. Ruth Asawa. Donald Crews. I could go on and on. 

Revival: Anything you’re particularly excited about now? 

Amanda: Yes! I signed with Artisan to co-author a book called Founding Mothers with Jen Fernandez. Its intention is to empower mothers and be a guide to entrepreneurship with a family in tow. The term “mom boss” has such a negative connotation these days. The fact of the matter is, I know so many amazingly smart and talented and capable entrepreneurs who are also mothers and juggle it beautifully, all the while creating friendly but productive work environments that are conducive to family life. I’m excited to chip away at the narrative! We are interviewing 50 other women, so we’ll have many differing circumstances and points of view. I’m absolutely thrilled.