Fast 15 with Jon Thom

1. What is your role at The Print Room?
   Key account manager, business development & any creative bits and pieces that might need attention. 

2. Shoot a portrait of yourself

3. Shoot your workspace
   Current WFH vibes on the kitchen table!

4. What are your hobbies
   My weekends tend to have a similar pattern; something like bed, brunch, beach & beers. When not doing this, I might be watering my numerous house plants or attempting my hand at gardening (I’ve had mixed levels of success). Prior to Print Room, I regularly exhibited paintings/drawings & photography in a couple of galleries but in recent years I haven’t quite struck the right balance to regularly create artwork, this is how I ended up making t-shirts. In the background of all of this something by Freddie Gibbs is probably playing. 

5. What's your favourite part of the working day?
   Friday beers! It’s always a mad rush trying to get everything out for the door before the end of the week, so it’s nice to wave goodbye to the courier and crack a cold bevy and unwind with the crew. 

6. What’s your go-to coffee?
   Long Black + sparkling water combo - probably terrible for the teeth but yolo!

7. What's your all-time favourite album/s?
   Sorry I can’t choose one - here’s a list of albums that never seem to get old and one to suit every mood!

Dr. Dre - 2001  

Mount Kimbie - Love What Survives

Tame Impala - Currents

 
Frank Ocean - Blonde

8. Your lifelong dream?
   I’d like to build a successful & socially responsible business (I think we’re getting there with Print Room!), have a house near the ocean with lots of art, a wee studio and a couple of hound dogs in tow. 

9. What are you doing to help the environment?
   I see where I can make the biggest impact on the environment is through my work at Print Room. The fashion and clothing industry is pretty terrible for the environment, we want to make a positive impact in our industry by offering ethically sourced garments that have been decorated using environmentally-conscious branding techniques. When we started Print Room we saw there was a real problem with the proliferation of cheaply made, badly designed garments that might get one wear and soon would be headed to a landfill. We set out to change this. Our focus is to create high-quality long-lasting products for our clients that will be proudly worn for years to come.
   
   Also, I recently got a new commuter bike, so I will be clocking up a few kms to and from work on that!

10. A pic of your favourite plant

11. What were you doing before TPR & What brought you here?I studied graphic design & art history at uni and had a few fingers in different pies when I finished up my studies. I was part-time artist, clothing designer, graphic designer & videographer/photographer. All these skills have been super helpful in my current role at Print Room. 

12. Shoot something that makes you happy
    My dog Iggy, when he’s on his good behaviour and not putting muddy paw prints on the furniture. 

13. If the borders were to open tomorrow and you could go to one country where would it be and why?
    Maybe once covid blows over a bit more I’d go to the States, visit some trade shows and different screenprint shops that we follow and tie in a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway or one of the iconic American roadies. 

14. You’re having a dinner party at your house what do you make?
    I’m hanging up the apron and flying in Yotam Ottolenghi to whip up something from Simple for dinner! 

15. You’re allowed 3 famous guests at this dinner party who are they and why?
    Jamie XX, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) & Freddie Gibbs and we’re having a Tiny Desk session in my living room - the dream!