James Archer
“I enjoy history, but my heart really lies with the future. I want to know what's next.”
I’m the founder and CEO of Forty, and my goal is to turn our company into one of the most remarkable and respected design firms in the world. We’ve actually made a surprising amount of progress in the last ten years…and we’re still on a mission.
As an author, I’ve written a lot about design and customer experience issues, trying to dispel many of the myths and misconceptions held by the business public. In fact, I’m currently writing a book about how companies can bring a sense of depth back to their customer experiences.
As a speaker, I’m all too happy to give away Forty’s secret sauce. I’ve spoken at numerous local and national conferences, workshops, seminars, and other events to share our insights and bring humanity back to business. I also volunteer as a mentor for startups and small businesses trying to figure out their next steps.
My love for community has led me to serve on boards for the AIGA (graphic design association), Commpose (copywriting association), Gangplank (collaborative workspace), and Phoenix Design Week (conference and festival). I’ve also volunteered for a variety of events over the years, fueled by my passion for improving our industry.
Some books that have influenced me:
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What people are saying about me:
“Quite plainly, James is a presence that inevitably brings out higher standards. I am certain that he has a personal time machine that allows him to accomplish as much as he does.” – Jeremie Lederman, CEO at Big Red Ape Art and Design Studio
“James can easily switch from business mode, to design, to client, to friend, back to business all with ease. His professional attitude and work ethic are amazing to work with.” – Aaron Post, Founder at Get BarLock
“James is a very talented designer with a great head for business, branding and marketing. He’s a tireless worker with a head full of great ideas.” – D. Keith Robinson, UX Director at Desk.com