Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Jay.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Emma. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career as a museum curator and worked in various museums and galleries in the UK before deciding to work full time as a freelance photographer and stylist. Most of my jobs were for fashion and culture magazines (of which there were a lot in London at the time!) but I gradually started to shoot more and more interiors features. I really loved the solace of working on those shoots; usually just myself and an assistant, sometimes an interiors stylist too. So much calmer than fashion shoots, with a billion crew members and loads of interns running around. I found I loved styling the shoots myself too, as I’d always done this in my own home and the homes of friends who asked me for advice.
When I decided to take a break from photography after over a decade, I worked in creative project management at a senior level. During this time, I also studied interior design in London and knew that my experience as a project manager on these huge retail build-outs would elevate my design skillset massively. When my partner and I decided to move to LA for his work, I knew it was a good opportunity to get back into working creatively again. I felt ready! While I waited for my work visa, I got to know the city. When I was legally able to, I started my own design consultancy and started taking on clients.
I work in a couple of different areas: one of the things I do is to work with companies or individuals that want their workspaces or homes to be more sustainable (everything from air quality to stationery to furniture). This often means actually keeping a lot of their existing stuff, but finding areas to improve in a million little ways. The other thing I advise on is interior design – again, with a heavy focus on sustainability which I would say is the core tenet of my business approach. I’m currently working on my first two LA design projects and cannot wait to share the end results!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Was the journey smooth? Not at all! The art industry was very unforgiving and competitive, and photography was absolutely no better. By nature, I have zero competitiveness. Whilst I really enjoy working alone, I’m also a very collaborative person and love working with other creatives to make something beautiful. It was so hard to not get upset by the ruthlessness of others. Sometimes, early on, I would really get taken advantage of. I had to learn how to merge my initial urge to trust everybody with becoming more savvy, business-wise. It was a real learning curve.
Then when I was working in bigger and bigger businesses with all of these huge egos battling each other all the time, I felt super frustrated. I knew it wasn’t for me. I have literally no desire to ever undersell myself, but at the same time, I really struggle with the idea of constantly competing with my peers for the same end result. Ultimately, I just want to work with kind people who understand my worth, as well as their own.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Studio Jay is a way to collectively align a number of creative practices: what we think of as interior design and the physical curation of space, focusing on ways in which to create the most sustainable and empathetic environment; consultancy and mentorship for emerging creative businesses (I especially like to work with and support those who identify as women); and also spatial and operational advice for larger creative companies that need help transitioning into ecologically sustainable businesses.
My specialty is in listening. I listen to what you need, to what will make your life a bit better every day, and I help you figure out how to do that. Sometimes people need a completely refreshed space, other times they just need advice on where to minimize. I’m not here to sell you a load of stuff you don’t want or need – the goal of the consultancy is to improve your well-being through your everyday environment. This almost always means simplifying.
A lot of interior designers are focused on creating beautiful spaces, but the sustainability of that space and its effect on the planet comes second. My ethos is that the two are equal running mates – you shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
What were you like growing up?
I was a classic introvert: really happy doing my own thing or playing with small groups of friends. I never liked socializing in massive groups, and I still don’t, really. I’m not shy, I’m really confident, but I derive energy from being on my own. I’ve trained myself to be more sociable than I’d ideally like, but I always need time to regroup and feel energized again after a business trip or social event. I loved reading, making art, being in nature. Not much has changed!
As a kid, I was lucky enough to travel a lot (my grandparents lived abroad and moved countries very frequently), so my siblings and I saw lots of cool places. I would always find books wherever I went. My parents took me to a lot of galleries, and I always felt extremely connected to the art and design worlds. I was constantly changing my bedroom – moving the furniture, creating these vignettes.
I watched a lot of movies and was hyper-aware of the mise-en-scene. I loved set design and remember so clearly the houses in the films I watched repeatedly. I think I just always loved homes and buildings.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studio-jay.com
- Instagram: @studio_jay_
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