Little Gift #2: Q&A with Jason Miller

A few years back, my friend Eri said "I had business lunch with the product designer in the neighborhood. I think you'll like his work. It's like the stuff sold at the Future Perfect." I immediately went, "That's Jason Miller?" She looked a little bit surprised and said "Yes." I was very excited to find out he worked in my neighborhood. Little Gift #2 is probably not as popular as the Forrest Day Dream Mirror. But I think it's very Jason too.

Q1. I just got a cupcake from my coworker today and it looks really bright, cute and fake. If I had "Little Gift #2 " next to it, I'd try to eat it by accident. Anyway. What actually went in your mind when you came up with the idea of making them? I made the first one as a gift for a friend. I was only thinking it would be fun to give it to him for his birthday.

Q2: You were ad agency art director some point in your career. Did you like the agency job?
No, I didn't like it and I wasn't good at it.

Q3: You also worked for Jeff Koons. How was it?
It was difficult at the time, but it was a very good experience.

Q4: What did you think of ICFF this year?
I was happy to see some groups/countries exhibiting that I had not seen before. And I thought the show looked very professional. But on an international scale, it is still a small show.

Q5: What's the interior of your house like? What's the favorite art piece or furniture in your house?
I can't afford to buy furniture, so my house is furnished with some prototypes of my work and some old things. My couch was my grandparents.My favorite art piece is a drawing done by a friend of mine.

Q6: Who's your favorite designer or artist at the moment?
It's hard to say, I don't really think of people that way.

Q7: What's your favorite place to eat in the neighborhood?
Diner.

Q8: What are you wearing today?
Blue jeans, a gray button down shirt and flip-flops.

Q9: Any new show coming up?
On Thursday I had an opening at the Shelburne museum in Vermont. That show will be up for two months. I may be doing a show in Toronto in July.

Q10: Personal interests?
What do you mean?

Jason's solo exhibition, My Bad - It's All Good: The Designs of Jason Miller is currently on view at the Shelburn Museum.

Also check out more of his work at
www.millerstudio.us.

Thank you and congratulations, Jason!