Built for Industry: Jon Marshall

Jon is an award‑winning industrial designer whose career has taken him from early explorations in digital design to collaborating with some of the most influential names and studios in the field. As a Ravensbourne Product Design graduate, he has built a reputation for combining hands‑on prototyping with a deep understanding of emerging technologies. He now works as a partner at design studio Pentagram, where he leads projects across technology, product innovation and design strategy. His path reflects a commitment to curiosity, craft and continual learning; values first sparked during his time studying at Ravensbourne. 

“When I first visited Ravensbourne I was really impressed with the workshop facilities and the belief on the course that making and prototyping were important,” he says. “This has gone on to be a cornerstone of my approach to design.” The college’s small size and its specialism in art and design also appealed to him, creating an environment where experimentation felt natural. 

He studied during a pivotal moment in the industry, when computers were first becoming part of the designer’s toolkit. Early 3D software, rendering programs and animation tools such as  Photoshop were all new territory. That early fascination with digital tools not only shaped his skillset but eventually led him to design the very technologies he once used.

A pivotal moment in his development came in his second year: “Our tutor at the time, pushed us incredibly hard, and at times I found the pressure unbearable and I didn’t understand what we were doing,” Jon reflects. “But in hindsight I think this was a period of huge growth for me that transformed me from being a design student into a designer.” 

His career has since taken him into the studios of some of the most influential designers working today, including Ross Lovegrove and Barber & Osgerby. Working with Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby was especially meaningful, especially because  Jay is also a Ravensbourne alumnus and, most recently, has received an honorary doctorate from the university. Jon mentions: “Working with Ross, I was exposed to a lot of art and design history through Ross’ own knowledge and his amazing library. I also learnt a great deal about materiality, prototyping and manufacturing. Working with Edward and Jay opened my eyes to how to iterate and refine designs until nothing more can be taken away whilst still allowing the design to retain a sense of identity and beauty. It's also the place where I really learnt about the business of design.” 

Today, Jon is committed to supporting emerging designers as they enter the industry. “We run internship and work experience programmes at Pentagram and I also do several studio visits each year for Product Design students.” 

We asked Jon what advice he would give to his younger self, and he said to embrace the process fully: “I think it’s important to trust the educational process and engage with projects even when you don’t fully understand what you are doing,” he says. He also emphasises the value of learning from peers. “I learnt a huge amount from my fellow students, so I would advise my younger self not to be too competitive and to share ideas freely and discuss design as much as possible in the studio, because you don’t get much time for that once you start working in industry.” 

Outside of work, Jon keeps life grounded and balanced. “Work is pretty intense for me right now so when I have free time I like to spend it with my family,” he says. “I also go running several times a week with my dog and I play bass guitar.”