James Box

Founder

Venture design
Product strategy
Design leadership & facilitation
Lean startup
User experience design
Regenerative design

Why Berst?

Everything changed for us when we worked on our first joint venture at a previous agency. Rather than our normal fee, we worked for a reduced rate and took a small amount of equity in the venture.

We utterly believed in this business – its purpose and founders. But the real insight was switching to think like investors. Our primary interest became their long term success and how we could further their strategic goals.

It may seem like a subtle change but in reality we’d stumbled into a way to align our incentives with the founders and approach the project as entrepreneurs, as well as designers. Part of the thinking behind Berst is take this idea to the next level.

What expertise do you bring to Berst?

My background is design but in particular user-experience and service design. I’m especially interested in combining design and research to reveal unmet customer needs. And then applying creative thinking to imagine how these could be transformed into new products, services and businesses. This is design’s true superpower, even though most people view it as a way to make things pretty.

Lean Startup has also had a big influence on my thinking. I realise it has its critics but design has a tendency to drift and the lean mindset brings much needed rigour and honesty to our approach.

Most recently I’ve become interested in the potential for regenerative design, in particular, how cryptoeconomics opens new possibilities for building products and services that replenish natural resources by default.

What do you do outside of Berst?

Get outside. I love exploring the countryside with my family and running on the South Downs with my dog Ernie. I like to think I've got a pretty eclectic music taste (although my friends disagree) and still make the odd bleepy mixtape.

Bates on Box…

“James is unafraid to ask the big questions and push our work into new territories. His empathy and understanding make him an incredible facilitator. And his depth of thinking means he can reframe and solve problems in entirely new ways.”

James Bates

Founder

Venture design
Creative direction
Product design
Brand strategy
Design systems
User experience design

exit7.co.uk

Why Berst?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with clients of all shapes and sizes, but there is nothing more exciting than working directly with entrepreneurs. This combination of big, bold thinking and deep domain knowledge elevates me.

However, having spent most of my career in traditional agencies, I was often left frustrated when promising ideas were placed on the backburner or ignored because BAU was prioritised over innovation.

So we created Berst to change that. Now we get to work directly with founders and leaders to shape the business proposition itself. We have the perfect setting for helping our partners move fast and take huge leaps forward, and I get to deliver the most impactful work of my career.‍

What expertise do you bring to Berst?

With over 20 years in the industry, I bring a wealth of experience as well as optimism and curiosity to each new project. I thrive on taking complex, abstract ideas and turning them into simple and beautiful products that customers love.

I like to get under the skin of a business and reveal a brand’s unique qualities. But above all, I enjoy delivering tangible, valuable solutions. After all, the only magic that really matters is the magic that makes it into the real world.

What do you do outside of Berst?

I’m a maker at heart and love to tinker with digital fabrication tools like 3D printing and CNC. But I most enjoy the feel and the smell of working with wood. It’s the perfect antidote to designing for screens.

I’m also an avid cook and bread maker and have recently found myself addicted to cooking over fire. Everything from low and slow barbecue to pizza.

The mountains are my happy place and I take as many opportunities as I can to hike, bike or snowboard. I currently live by the sea in Brighton with, my partner and three children.

Box on Bates…

“James is in a league of his own when it comes to speed and detail. He transforms nebulous, ambiguous ideas into functional, wonderful products and he makes it look annoyingly easy. A true craftsperson.”

Who we are

We’re a small, dedicated team of strategists, researchers and designers bound by a shared conviction in the power of design and entrepreneurship.

Born in Brighton, UK and working globally, we’ve spent more than two decades helping organisations invent and scale breakthrough digital products.

Time and time again, we’ve seen how thoughtful strategic design creates extraordinary value and progress. Our mission is to bring this to as many people as possible.

Our team

Katie Wishlade

Strategy & research director

Katie has deep experience across research, strategy and design. She's shaped services that have improved lives and transformed sectors and is one of the most passionate problem-solvers you'll meet. 

At Berst, she brings this drive to make every element work for businesses, staff and customers - and leads teams to do the right things.

James Bates

Founder & creative director

James brings over 20 years of experience in UX, product design, creative direction and brand strategy. As a seasoned creative director he has built and led some of the industry’s most respected teams and agencies. 

At Berst, James creates original, distinctive product experiences that combine simplicity, beauty and build lasting connections with users.

James Box

Founder & managing director

James is an author, speaker and design industry leader. He’s built and led teams of all shapes and sizes as well as helped curate some of Europe’s most successful design events and communities.

These days, he focuses on the potent blend of business strategy, human-centred design and creative thinking that gives new ventures a unique edge.

Associates

We sometimes partner with independent consultants, each a specialist in their field. These talented professionals come highly recommended - we’ve had the privilege of working with them many times. Let us know if you’d like an intro.