James Smalls

James Smalls is an accomplished design professional currently serving as Director of Interaction Design at IDEO since May 2019, where responsibility includes guiding design talent and fostering business development. Prior roles at IDEO involved advising clients and mentoring designers while leading cross-functional teams in developing human-centered solutions across diverse industries. Earlier experience includes serving as a Senior Designer at Tellart, where James created immersive experiences, and teaching as an adjunct professor at both the Rhode Island School of Design and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. James began the career in arts direction through various roles at agencies, including notable projects for GE Healthcare, and earned a BFA in Communication Design from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.