The Source: Jim Jenkins

What is the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen in the last few months?

There’s some work out there that’s beautiful and there’s some work out there that’s clever, but work that sticks with you is so rare. I’m biased, but I haven’t seen anything this year that’s better and more perfectly done than my partner David [Shane]’s work for The Atlantic [below].

What’s your favourite website?

My favourite website is BuzzFeed. I love to see the latest technology news, particularly the latest advancements made in computer science and robotics. It’s fascinating to see where computers are going and how technology is evolving.

What website do you use most regularly?

I lied about BuzzFeed. I copied my answer to your prior question off of a website that helps people to look smart in job interviews when the interviewer asks “What’s your favourite website?” In truth, you’ll usually find me on niche sites most people have never heard of: nytimes.com, espn.com, amazon.com, and a couple of others that are a bit more mainstream.

What track/artist would you listen to for inspiration?

It’s important to stay in touch with what’s going on out there musically, so I try to listen to what my kids listen to. My oldest has gotten me into Jake Bugg [below], Gary Clark Jr and The Sweet Remains. My youngest has got me into The Wheels on the Bus, Six Little Ducks and Shake My Sillies Out.

Mac or PC?

Has anyone ever said PC? I can’t imagine anyone has ever said PC.

What product could you not live without?

My PC.

What product hasn’t been invented yet that would make your life/job better?

I have five kids, and we’re in the process of adopting two from Eastern Europe (I like children). I wish there was something even better than FaceTime to help me stay in touch while on the road.While FaceTime is awesome, it’s also somehow depressing – it ramps up the frustration of not being at home with them.

I’d say a product that would make my life better is a teleporter, but a teleporter with films and a meal service. And a lie-flat bed. And I’d like for it to be a bit unreliable so I could say it’s not working when I’m away and the kids need help with their maths homework.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

The best film I’ve seen all year has either been Moana or The Boss Baby, since it feels as if those are pretty much the only two movies I’ve seen… over and over and over again. I sleepily remember seeing The Lost City of Z with my wife, which Darius Khondji shot beautifully, of course, because he’s Darius Khondji. I will say my favourite first half of any film was Lion, which I loved, right up until the moment everyone started speaking English. 

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

I recently went to Inventing America: Rockwell and Warhol, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which was a pretty great exhibition if you’re into populism, which hopefully we all are who make our living in this business.

Obviously, both Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol looked at the 20th century in very different ways, but there are similarities. And seeing Rockwell’s work up close makes you respect what an incredible storyteller he was. 

"I doubt anything I shoot will be remembered in 100 years. Or even 10 years. Or even next year. (Awkward moment of silence.) Now, please excuse me while I jump in front of a train."

If you could live in one city, where would it be? 

I’ve lived in New York for so long, but I still can’t imagine living anywhere else. The city is more tame than it was 30 years ago, but it still has the best and worst of everything, and mashes it all together to make a unique stew.

In LA’s car culture, you can go from your house to your office and never leave your little protective bubble, but here you are forced to interact with people who are completely different to you. It’s annoying and intrusive and awesome. The subway is the most fascinating show in the world.  

Speaking of car culture, there’s a great book by James Kunstler called Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America’s Man-Made Landscape. It’s all about the rise and decline of America’s man-made landscape. Hope I didn’t give anything away.

What fictitious character do you most relate to?

I’ve no idea. Maybe the Hello Kitty inflatable from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, because you’ll always find us in New York and we both have enormous heads.

What’s your favourite magazine?

I love Works That Work, out of the Netherlands. It calls itself “a magazine of unexpected creativity” and it focuses on design in objects that surround us, but that we never think of, and ingenious ways people all over the world incorporate design into their lives.

A recent feature was about photographer Jessica Hilltout, who took a seven-month road trip across Africa documenting handmade footballs she encountered on the way. WTW makes the design of random things really interesting – the design of shipping containers and mobile phone towers, for example. National Geographic remains a great mag as well.

Who’s your favourite photographer?

Speaking of National Geographic, I love most of their contract photographers, particularly Dave Yoder. That said, Yoder is still runner-up to my five-year-old, who takes great photos at the aquarium.

Who’s your favourite designer?

I should probably pick a designer that makes me sound hip, but I’m not hip, so I’m going with one (two actually) that are almost 100 years old. Armand Desaegher (an iron caster) and Octave Aubecq (an enamelling specialist) founded Le Creuset, and their original design for their first product has flowered into all sorts of cool creations.

Have you ever walked through a Le Creuset store? It’s like walking through a little art exhibit, and every design harks back to their original 100-year-old creation. I doubt anything I shoot will be remembered in 100 years. Or even 10 years. Or even next year. (Awkward moment of silence.) Now, please excuse me while I jump in front of a train.

If you could have been in any band, what band would you choose?

The Clash. Or maybe Phish, just so I could stop mid-concert at Madison Square Garden, look at everyone and say “Guys, let’s not do this anymore. We’re terrible.”