Practical elegance

Two years later, we catch up with Jasper Eales again to transcribe the arc from student to designer. You don’t get talent much fresher than this!

VISI first featured Jasper fresh out of varsity in 2011 and about to stretch his horizons with some travel. Well, he’s back and has started his own company, which debuted in the Emerging Creatives pavilion at Design Indaba. Also at Design Indaba, his quirky Rawbots made the cut for Li Edelkoort’s Memphis Meets Africa exhibition (you can win a Rawbot – details below). 

Looking at Jasper’s growing portfolio on his new website, we love his practical and thrifty approach to elegant functionality, and realised it was time to catch up with him.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

When I was a kid all I wanted to be was a pro surfer.

What was the first design you ever made?

During my last year of junior school we were given a project where we had to make something that we could use. With the dream of being a pro surfer and a creative talent beginning to emerge, I decided to design, shape and glass a surfboard. I received full marks for my project and surfed the board for the following two years.

How did you come to be a designer?

Design and creative thinking is naturally imbued in me. My parents have been closely involved in the local creative industry, and were my role models from a young age. During my latter years of schooling, design was the subject I excelled in most. With the help and encouragement of my ever-passionate educator, I was then introduced to the idea of becoming a product designer. I proceeded with my degree in industrial design at CPUT, and after completing the course, my career path became clear.

What is your design philosophy?

I place great emphasis on full-cycle design. Whether it’s the reuse and upcycling of materials, applying sustainable mediums or using alternative manufacturing procedures geared towards environmentally friendly solutions, I have always tried to integrate these principles in one way or another. A need for functionality, usability and simplicity are my general starting point of all my products, as I do not want to add to the ever-growing piles of rubbish. Never over design something, rather refine it to its simplest functioning form and take it from there. 

Who are some of your favourite local designers?

I admire two separate Cape Town-based designers. Gregor Jenkin and James Mudge who, for me, both have a similar approach in the way they work. Although Gregor specialises in metal and James in solid wood, their focus is on top quality, high precision, superior craftsmanship and both seem to be making an impression on a local and international scale.

What is your VISIon for the future?

My VISIon for the future is to pursue my creative passions, maximise on our local resources and establish a name for myself among the top creative names locally and internationally.

We’re giving away a once-off Rawbot to one lucky reader. Tell us in the comments below which of Jasper’s custom designs you like the most, by browsing them on his new website, jasperealesoriginal.com. Deadline Friday 28 June.

For more fresh talent profiles, click here.