Arris - A Design Studio

Who We Are

Alex J. Kramer
Jeff Taylor
Judith A.P. James, IIDA, LEED AP

Principal Officers / Interior Designers

There are very few people who could form a more natural team than us: Judy, Alex, and Jeff. In addition to working together for 15 years, we each have a proven track record working collaboratively with our clients. Together we founded Arris, a Design Studio, Inc. in 2003. At Arris, Principals are involved in all projects from beginning to end, leading a cohesive team. We assure you dedication and focus with personal pride and ownership of your project and its success.

Alex J. Kramer
Principal Officer

Alex Kramer, a graduate of The Maryland Institute College of Art with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interior Design with over 20 years of diverse professional experience, is responsible for the overall quality, budgeting and scheduling of the projects he directs. His experience, knowledge, and management skills make him a vital team leader on projects, focusing on the big picture as well as the detail.

Alex’s career emphasis has been in the Master and Strategic Planning of all sizes and types of projects, totaling over 10 million square feet. His experience encompasses all phases of the design process from programming and space planning to design development, furniture and finish selection, construction documents and construction administration and installation coordination.

Prior to starting Arris, Alex spent 14 years with a national interior architecture and design firm where he served in many capacities from Project Director for large national clients to Managing Director of the Mid- Atlantic region.

Jeff Taylor
Principal Officer

Jeff is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. During the 18 years Jeff has been in the design profession, he has been responsible for both project management and implementation of design ideas from programming through construction documentation and administration in the corporate and hospitality industries.

Jeff is experienced in all phases of the design process including field surveys, programming, space planning, construction documents and administration and permit procurement. He has worked on a wide range of projects including corporate headquarters, healthcare, Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF), retail and tenant layouts.

Jeff plays a prominent role in the production and coordination of construction documents. His technical experience is supported by an extensive working knowledge of AutoCAD. Jeff maintains close and consistent contact with his clients throughout their projects, and remains an informed and active team member from the first programming study to the final inspection. Jeff prides himself in “getting in the clients head” and on solving problems before they happen.

Judith A.P. James, IIDA, LEED AP
Principal Officer

Judy is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interior Design and is NCIDQ Certified. With more than 20 years of experience in all phases of design, Judy focuses on strategic planning, programming, space planning, furniture and specification standards, finish selection, and systems furniture analysis.

Judy’s experience encompasses a broad spectrum of project types, from Corporate Offices and Healthcare to Restaurants and Retail.

As Principal Officer, Judy works closely with the client and is responsible for the interpretation and documentation of their needs from functional as well as aesthetic perspectives. Her attention to detail and excellent follow-through ensures successful project completions and ultimate client satisfaction. Prior to co-founding Arris, Judy was an Associate and the Operations Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region for a national firm.