Meet James Vanderpant of Centennial

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Vanderpant.

Hi James, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out in a tiny town in rural England, where I spent my teenage years teaching myself how to design and build things online. What began as a curious hobby slowly turned into a career that’s taken me around the world, from the UK to Hong Kong, New York, and Los Angeles, helping brands and startups turn ideas into digital experiences.

Over the years, I’ve worked across the spectrum, from global brands to early-stage startups, including time as a founding member of multiple VC-backed companies in San Francisco and New York. I’ve built and scaled my own businesses along the way, and now I use that experience to help others design and launch digital products.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My first real lesson came early on with a product I created in my early twenties, a modular, touch-sensitive wall light called Helios Touch. It went viral and scaled to seven figures in its first year, but the partnership I formed to take it to market ended badly when my business partner withdrew all the company funds without my knowledge. What followed was a long and difficult legal process, but also a crash course in business, trust, and ownership.

Beyond that, I started with no real network in the industry and had to rebuild from scratch every time I moved, from Hong Kong to the U.S., meant starting over, meeting people, and finding my footing. It was difficult at first, but those experiences taught me how to adapt, stay persistent, and build meaningful connections over time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an independent product designer and creative partner helping startups and tech companies design and launch digital products that feel as good as they look. My work spans product design, UX/UI, and brand identity — combining strategy, storytelling, and visual design to create cohesive, high-performing digital experiences.

I often work directly with founders or small teams as an embedded design partner, helping them move quickly from concept to launch.

I’ve helped bring dozens of products to market from end to end. I’m not only a designer, I can also develop and launch what I design. That hands-on experience helps me move quickly, make smarter design decisions, and collaborate seamlessly with founders and teams to bring ideas to life.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always split between two passions, sports and making things. I played football (soccer) at a semi-pro level, and when I wasn’t on the pitch, I was usually drawing or building something in my grandad’s shed. I loved figuring out how things worked and trying to create my own versions of them. Looking back, that balance between creativity and discipline taught me how to stay curious but also keep pushing until something truly works, a mindset that’s carried into my design work today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamesvanderpant.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesvanderpant/
• Twitter: https://x.com/jamesvanderpant