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 * 05-31-22


PENTAGRAM’S NATASHA JEN VISITS BERGDORF GOODMAN WHEN SHE NEEDS INSPIRATION


NATASHA JEN, A PARTNER AT DESIGN FIRM PENTAGRAM, TAKES OUR CAREER QUESTIONNAIRE.

[Illustration: Meryl Rowin]
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More Like This
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By Yasmin Gagne2 minute Read

Fast Company: What’s your best habit, and what’s your worst?




Natasha Jen: They are one and the same: the urge to solve problems, all
problems. The great thing about solving problems is that it brings satisfaction
when tasks are complete; on the other hand, I tend to take on too many problems
at once.

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?

Visit Bergdorf Goodman.



What are the buzzwords you never want to hear again?

“At a high level.” This phrase avoids the real problem, and the resulting
outcome from the high-level talk is never high level or specific.

What’s the best mistake you ever made?



All my mistakes felt terrible, but you learn from them and move on.

How do you unplug?

Watch horror or sci-fi movies.



Is there a book you recommend to everyone?

The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, a biophysicist. Published in 1987, it’s
a book of seemingly simple questions that only you can answer. For example:
“Technology has become a part of us. Would you rather lose the use of all
motorized vehicles, all telecommunication devices and computers, or one of your
hands?”

Is there advice you’re glad you ignored?



I don’t remember any because I ignored all of it.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

“Just say no.”



Did you have a career fork in the road?

Staying at a corporation that would sponsor my H1 visa but make me unhappy, or
quitting the job (and risk being deported). I chose the latter and found a job
at a design studio that I loved.

Do you have a work uniform?



Jeans, a designer top, and great shoes with 3-inch heels.

Who is your style icon?

André Leon Talley.



Do you have a favorite object in your office?

A Doraemon figure on my desk.

What is your biggest indulgence?



Buying designer clothes but never wearing them.

Do you have a favorite form of exercise?

I [took] a swimming class in 2019 and overcame my water phobia. The sense of
freedom that
it brings is something that no equipment-based workout can offer.




FAVORITE NEW YORK SPOTS

1/4 Crosby Street and Howard: This quiet zone feels like a daytime version of Ed
Hopper’s Nighthawks [Photo: Ed Rooney/Alamy]

What TV show are you mid-binge on?

The X-Files. I love that it’s not a series; each episode is a case. You dive in
for 40 minutes, and you get out.

Do you have a mantra?



Play while we can.

What is your go-to food for fast fuel?

Fried chicken.



Is there a meal you still fantasize about?

Taiwanese oyster omelet. I haven’t found any in New York City.

Do you have a “get pumped” song?

“California Love” by Tupac and Dr. Dre.

Is there a meeting you never miss?

Any meeting with a client.





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Why Drew Barrymore joined Grove Collaborative as a Sustainability Advocate

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HE QUIT GOOGLE TO WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE. NOW, HE’S HELPING OTHERS DO THE SAME
THING

Impact


HOW MUCH COULD RENEWABLE SOURCES LIKE SOLAR AND THERMAL SHAPE OUR FUTURE ENERGY
NEEDS?

Impact


EMPLOYERS LIKE BEN & JERRY’S MUST HELP CREATE REAL FIRST CHANCES TO PREVENT
INCARCERATION


NEWS

News


TWITTER VOWS TO KEEP WFH FOREVER POLICY DESPITE MUSK’S ULTIMATUM TO REMOTE TESLA
WORKERS

News


KIM KARDASHIAN LAUNCHES SKINCARE BRAND WITH COTY

News


BIDEN OUTLINES A 3-POINT PLAN TO COMBAT INFLATION: HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW AS PRICES
RISE


CO.DESIGN

Co.Design


EXTREME WINDS CAN TEAR A HOUSE APART IN SECONDS. THESE DESIGN TWEAKS CAN KEEP IT
STANDING

Co.Design


WHY RISD STUDENTS ARE DESIGNING SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO SAFELY DO DRUGS

Co.Design


‘WE ARE WOEFULLY BEHIND’: A QUEER DESIGNER’S VISUAL PLEA FOR MORE DIVERSITY IN
ARCHITECTURE


WORK LIFE

Work Life


AN ALLY’S GUIDE TO PRIDE

Work Life


MILLENNIALS ARE DRIVING THE GREAT RESIGNATION. THEY’RE ALSO WORKING HARDER
BECAUSE OF IT

Work Life


6 WAYS TO ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE WHEN SPEAKING VIRTUALLY

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FAST COMPANY

Follow
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 * 
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Login
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 * Podcasts
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 * Recommender
 * Innovation Festival 360IF360
 * Subscribe
 * 
 * FastCo Works
    * AWS
    * Genpact
    * IBM


 * HOMEPAGE


 * CO.DESIGN


 * TECH


 * WORK LIFE


 * NEWS


 * IMPACT


 * PODCASTS


 * VIDEO


 * RECOMMENDER


 * INNOVATION FESTIVAL 360


 * SUBSCRIBE

Help Center
fastco works


 * AWS


 * DELOITTE


 * DEPT


 * ELEVATE PRIZE


 * EY


 * IBM


 * KLARNA


 * VISA


 * FASTCO WORKS
   
   An award-winning team of journalists, designers, and videographers who tell
   brand stories through Fast Company's distinctive lens

FC Executive Board
collections


 * FAST GOVERNMENT
   
   The future of innovation and technology in government for the greater good


 * MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES
   
   Fast Company's annual ranking of businesses that are making an outsize impact


 * MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE
   
   Leaders who are shaping the future of business in creative ways


 * WORLD CHANGING IDEAS
   
   New workplaces, new food sources, new medicine--even an entirely new economic
   system


 * INNOVATION BY DESIGN
   
   Celebrating the best ideas in business

Newsletter
Events


 * INNOVATION FESTIVAL

Courses and LearningAdvertiseCurrent Issue
Current Issue
SUBSCRIBE
Follow us:

advertisement

advertisement

 * 05-31-22


PENTAGRAM’S NATASHA JEN VISITS BERGDORF GOODMAN WHEN SHE NEEDS INSPIRATION


NATASHA JEN, A PARTNER AT DESIGN FIRM PENTAGRAM, TAKES OUR CAREER QUESTIONNAIRE.

[Illustration: Meryl Rowin]
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

By Yasmin Gagne2 minute Read

Fast Company: What’s your best habit, and what’s your worst?

advertisement

advertisement



Natasha Jen: They are one and the same: the urge to solve problems, all
problems. The great thing about solving problems is that it brings satisfaction
when tasks are complete; on the other hand, I tend to take on too many problems
at once.

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?

Visit Bergdorf Goodman.

advertisement


What are the buzzwords you never want to hear again?

“At a high level.” This phrase avoids the real problem, and the resulting
outcome from the high-level talk is never high level or specific.

What’s the best mistake you ever made?

advertisement


All my mistakes felt terrible, but you learn from them and move on.

How do you unplug?

Watch horror or sci-fi movies.

advertisement


Is there a book you recommend to everyone?

The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, a biophysicist. Published in 1987, it’s
a book of seemingly simple questions that only you can answer. For example:
“Technology has become a part of us. Would you rather lose the use of all
motorized vehicles, all telecommunication devices and computers, or one of your
hands?”

Is there advice you’re glad you ignored?

advertisement


I don’t remember any because I ignored all of it.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

“Just say no.”

advertisement


Did you have a career fork in the road?

Staying at a corporation that would sponsor my H1 visa but make me unhappy, or
quitting the job (and risk being deported). I chose the latter and found a job
at a design studio that I loved.

Do you have a work uniform?

advertisement


Jeans, a designer top, and great shoes with 3-inch heels.

Who is your style icon?

André Leon Talley.

advertisement


Do you have a favorite object in your office?

A Doraemon figure on my desk.

What is your biggest indulgence?

advertisement


Buying designer clothes but never wearing them.

Do you have a favorite form of exercise?

I [took] a swimming class in 2019 and overcame my water phobia. The sense of
freedom that
it brings is something that no equipment-based workout can offer.

advertisement



FAVORITE NEW YORK SPOTS



What TV show are you mid-binge on?

The X-Files. I love that it’s not a series; each episode is a case. You dive in
for 40 minutes, and you get out.

Do you have a mantra?

advertisement


Play while we can.

What is your go-to food for fast fuel?

Fried chicken.

advertisement


Is there a meal you still fantasize about?

Taiwanese oyster omelet. I haven’t found any in New York City.

Do you have a “get pumped” song?

“California Love” by Tupac and Dr. Dre.

Is there a meeting you never miss?

Any meeting with a client.


advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement






VIDEO

How this CEO is changing the way we bake
Bread Alone is the first commercial bakery in the US to Operate on 100%
renewable energy bakery. The family run business have been baking with organic
grains since our first loaf in 1983. This is Fast Company's Changing the Game
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IMPACT

Impact


HE QUIT GOOGLE TO WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE. NOW, HE’S HELPING OTHERS DO THE SAME
THING

Impact


HOW MUCH COULD RENEWABLE SOURCES LIKE SOLAR AND THERMAL SHAPE OUR FUTURE ENERGY
NEEDS?

Impact


EMPLOYERS LIKE BEN & JERRY’S MUST HELP CREATE REAL FIRST CHANCES TO PREVENT
INCARCERATION


NEWS

News


TWITTER VOWS TO KEEP WFH FOREVER POLICY DESPITE MUSK’S ULTIMATUM TO REMOTE TESLA
WORKERS

News


KIM KARDASHIAN LAUNCHES SKINCARE BRAND WITH COTY

News


BIDEN OUTLINES A 3-POINT PLAN TO COMBAT INFLATION: HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW AS PRICES
RISE


CO.DESIGN

Co.Design


EXTREME WINDS CAN TEAR A HOUSE APART IN SECONDS. THESE DESIGN TWEAKS CAN KEEP IT
STANDING

Co.Design


WHY RISD STUDENTS ARE DESIGNING SPACES FOR PEOPLE TO SAFELY DO DRUGS

Co.Design


‘WE ARE WOEFULLY BEHIND’: A QUEER DESIGNER’S VISUAL PLEA FOR MORE DIVERSITY IN
ARCHITECTURE


WORK LIFE

Work Life


AN ALLY’S GUIDE TO PRIDE

Work Life


MILLENNIALS ARE DRIVING THE GREAT RESIGNATION. THEY’RE ALSO WORKING HARDER
BECAUSE OF IT

Work Life


6 WAYS TO ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE WHEN SPEAKING VIRTUALLY

 * Advertise
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms
 * Notice of Collection
 * Do Not Sell My Data
 * Permissions
 * Help Center
 * About Us
 * Site Map
 * Fast Company & Inc © 2022 Mansueto Ventures, LLC
 * 





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