In this episode, I talk to Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, a Copenhagen-based architect, designer, art director, and photographer. We cover topics such as positioning as a creative, how Jonas approaches new projects, his advice to young professionals, main challenges of being an architect today, his work routines, the importance of following your passion and much more.

Biography

Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen is an architect and founding partner at Norm Architects with over a decade of experience as an architect, designer, art director and photographer. Jonas shares his passion for phenomenology – the philosophical study of human experience – and striking spaces, objects and images with clients that range from established design brands to international magazines and private homeowners. Trained at both The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and Copenhagen Business School, Jonas mixes business-oriented and strategic thinking with the conceptual thoughts and visions that bring creative projects to life. ‘I have a strong vocation for creating thoughtful projects that make a difference and stand out in an understated, refined manner,’ he says of his work, which has won awards including the Red Dot, IF Design Award, Design Plus Award and Good Design Award.

Selected Links From the Episode

• Norm Architects' Website
• Norm Architects' Instagram
• Seth Godin, Emotional Labor
• Phenomenology (philosophy)
• Walter Benjamin
• Juhani Pallasmaa

Show Notes

• Introduction [00:00:00]
• Episode Introduction [00:00:52]
• Importance of Following Your Inner Vocation [00:02:16]
• Advice to Young Professionals [00:06:04]
• The Power of Deep, Focused Work [00:09:17]
• Main Challenges of Being an Architect Today [00:17:51]
• Making a Living As an Architect and a Product Designer [00:20:45]
• Short Episode Break – Support the Podcast [00:28:28]
• Jonas's Best Investment in Himself [00:29:20]
• How to Deal With Creative Criticism [00:32:22]
• How to Position Yourself As a Creative Professional [00:41:15]
• Jonas's Current Struggles [00:44:51]
• Phenomenological Approach to Creative Work [00:48:51]
• Using Failure As Motivation [00:54:03]
• How to Develop Your Point of View As a Creative [00:59:32]
• Advice for Being a Better Creative Professional [01:04:44]
• Episode Outro [01:06:06]

Full transcript and more at https://creative.voyage/