Sophie
James
I’m Sophie, a designer and craftsman based in Portland, Oregon. My creative practice is driven by a
love of people, appreciation for craft,
and a passion for experimenting with
new materials and color palettes. I have
genuine curiosity about the world
around me and find most of my
inspiration engaging in everyday
experiences. I find true fulfillment in
learning new skills and problem-solving
to create great designs with heart.
EDUCATION
University of Oregon
BFA Product Design
2017 - 2021
I studied industrial design with an emphasis on furniture, textiles and housewares. While learning to work across many technical design categories my personal design process always led to craft driven products produced withmore hands-on prototyping techniques.
DIS Copenhagen
Furniture Design Studio
2021
For my third year of study I was accepted into a furniture design studio intensive at the DIS Copenhagen School of Design. Working alongside some of Europe’s top industrial designers and master furniture craftsmen. I studied the design process end-to-end, working through strategy, concepting, detailed prototyping and hands-on production. During this time I traveled across Denmark, Sweden, and Finland visiting some of the world’s top furniture design studios, high end production facilities and woodshops, iconic architect’s homes, showrooms and museums.
Art Center Extension
Design Drawing Intensive
2023
Art Center Extension is the renowned design school’s selection of courses offered to non full time students.
I took a design drawing intensive to hone my sketching skills. The studio was taught by a transportation designer at Honda and tenured Art Center professor. In this class I dialed skills in quick iterative sketching, shading for lighting and a variety of materials, perspective, and form development.
EXPERIENCE
Accessory Production/Designer
Primecut Bags
2023 - Current
Assisted in the design and production of high-end accessories. Developed a deep knowledge of leather, a wide array of other textiles/trims and their applications in soft goods construction/ design. Applied a trend and brand based use color and pattern to create visually impactful products. Managed high-volume international wholesale production, balancing short and long-term priorities. Collaborated on custom design projects for clients including Niken (Kobe, Jordan), Magnolia Home, and Adidas by advising on material selection and design solutions to bring creative visions to life.
Visual Marketing Manager
Primecut Bags
2024 - CurrentA Managed the brand’s social media presence by creating and sharing still and video content that visually represented the brand voice, engaged the community, and showcased Primecuts playful use of color and material. Streamlined the in store and e-commerce experience through updated photography, refined visual merchandising, and clear, on-brand copy.
Freelance Product Design
2024 - CurrentDesigned custom accessories for lifestyle brands by translating creative direction into a functional product aligned with campaign goals. My approach spans from high-level brand-right concepts through design iteration, refinement and production specification. Explored and presented color, material, trim, and construction options, applying technical knowledge to guide both creative vision and production feasibility.
Production & Design Associate
Peaches the Studio
2020 - 2022Developed and produced a range of objects within a multidisciplinary slipcast ceramic studio. Balanced daily production, independent and bespoke client projects aligned with the brand’s vision. Applied hands-on production knowledge and experimented with a diverse range of materials and color techniques. Embraced a highly tactile, labor-intensive workflow, balancing creative exploration with precise execution to uphold the studio’s minimalist yet thoughtful aesthetic.
Styling Associate
In Real Life Vintage
2022 - 2023Curated vintage clothing and accessories, managed product selection, display, and storytelling to create a unique and engaging retail experience.
Oak St. Vintage
Furniture & Art
2018 - 2020An irreplaceable experience, Oak St. Vintage is where I fell in love with furniture. Oak St. is an immaculately curated collection of vintage designer furniture, lighting, art and textiles. Here my role was furniture and lighting restoration. I got to revive wood pieces with sanding, oils, and stains, reupholster textile and leather cushions as well as rewire and enliven vintage lighting. I learned so much about the construction and design subtleties of these objects through such close work with them. It was an experience of inspiration and mentorship.