Christian Davies

What’s the best part of your job?

My team, without a doubt. But let’s face it, being a creative director is a pretty decent gig. I mean, basically you spend your day nudging talented people. Who wouldn’t have fun with that?

How can anyone measure the success of a store design?

The register either rings or it doesn’t, and there’s nothing to hide behind. To me, that’s the only definition of success that matters. If I could redo all the awards in this industry, I’d start with that criterion. I hate to see things win that look nice but just patently don’t work.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

An English country pub on a summer afternoon. A real English pub – in other words, being in England.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Sorry I’m late.”

If you had a Facebook page, what would the headline say?

Either “Will work for food” or “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

What one celebrity would you add to your Facebook friend list?

For the longest time, it would have been Julianne Moore. But then she married some dork – not that I’m bitter.

What one celebrity would you love to have dinner with?

The director Neal Jordan. I could listen to him talk all day. So a great conversationalist like him. Or else, you know, Maria Bello.

What do you miss most about living in the U.K.?

Everything. And I miss it every day.  

When you first came to the U.S., what baffled you most about American culture?

That less than 5 percent of U.S. news is about international issues (except Iraq, which of course is a wholly American international issue). And the giant percentage of Americans who don’t own a passport.

If there were a movie made about your life, who would play you?

I’d like to say someone profound like John Malkovich. But in reality, I’d probably get Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Finish this sentence: If I weren’t designing stores, I’d make a very good…

omelet.

Where in the world is Christian Davies?

Originally from the U.K., Davies has called Boston, Seattle and now Cincinnati home.

On Boston: “I lived a block from the beach [checking which beach] and I miss that stroll on a Saturday morning throughout the seasons.”

On Seattle: “Eventually, the rain got to me. And I’m from England, so if the rain bothers me, you know it’s bad.”

On Cincinnati: “I like Cincinnati a lot. Compared to other places I’ve lived, it’s not that different from London.”