Interview with Joshua Lipka, Founder of Joshua Lipka Design, United States

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Joshua Lipka

Joshua has a natural eye for design and marketing, allowing him to create a solo agency that focuses on creating new products, marketing content, and brand new ideas.



Interview with the 2020 NYX Marcom Awards Winner - Joshua Lipka

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.

I created Joshua Lipka Design in early 2020 due to the pandemic. I was a full-time designer for several different companies throughout the years, making their brands more cohesive, extending their audience reach and design objectives, and creating multiple advertising campaigns. I've always a natural eye for design and was always challenging myself to do better and approach design and marketing objectives in different ways. In early 2020, I was a full-time senior designer for a well-known home goods brand but was let go because of consolidation due to the pandemic. That is when I decided to jumpstart my own solo agency and help other solopreneurs kick off or upgrade their brands and startup companies.

2What led you to become a marketing communications professional?

I had a few coordinator and customer service jobs in my early career, and I kept finding myself wanting to change their logo or branding. I would sit at my desk and loosely sketch out ideas for my own sanity while I listened to customer complaints. Then I decided to take a leap and go to school for Graphic Design. I had always dabbled in Adobe products since I was 16 years old, so it was easy to pick up and fly and in 2008 I started doing Promotional Flyers and Business Cards for a Real Estate firm. This is what started my career.

3What is your role in the agency, and what traits should a marketing communications professional possess to be successful in their role?

I have a solo-agency so I wear many hats. I do title myself as the Creative Director when it comes to my brand. I think that never giving up and having a can-do attitude along with a natural case of curiosity will help all professionals be successful.

4Tell us more about your agency/company.

It's a solo-agency ran by me with the occasional outsourcing of help. I launched it with the intent to help other solopreneurs and small businesses with their branding and messaging along with a side of web design. This also opened the doors for creating packaging of new products, a wide array of marketing collateral, and even generating some company names for brand new ideas.

5What is your own definition of marketing communications?

The most effective way to entice someone to experience your product or service using an array of collateral.

6Describe your marketing communications style and its main characteristics.

I am very bold and outspoken, so my ideas and designs tend to walk the fine line of intriguing and almost audacious. With that said, I also combine my bold tendencies with a clean eye for modernism and elegance.

7Tell us about your ideation process.

I have my process broken down into 4 main parts: Discover, Design, Refine, and Deliver.

8Congratulations! As the winner of the NYX Marcom Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?

I am so pleased and excited! This is my first time entering a design competition. I've always been too nervous or scared of rejection to enter. One of my idols who I have followed forever, Chris Do, had reviewed my design, and just with him saying "You could win awards with this design" was enough to give me the boost of confidence and encouragement to enter.

9How has winning an international award help to promote your agency and works?

The fact that my work will be seen and recognized internationally is AMAZING! I am now frantically updating all of my professional profiles and websites to prep for an increase in traffic and visibility. Even if I only get one "kudos" from someone, it was worth entering.

10What are the challenges of your winning entry(s)?

The challenges were how to translate the idea of "taking 4% of your day to practice self-care" and how to put that to design. We knew we wanted it to be clean and modern, and we wanted it to be something that someone would enjoy looking at and want to keep in their home. I tried all types of ways to bring focus to a 4%, but nothing was working. Then we saw some shapes at the Nordic History Museum and the half-circles seemed to fit the bill. It took about 3-4 weeks to find the right shape and pattern.

11How has the country you are based in helped during your ideation process?

I live in Seattle, WA USA which is a very design-forward and progressive city. There is a literal design plethora anywhere you go from grunge to nordic modernism.

12What are the current trends in the marketing communications industry that you are most excited about?

The Pop-Up Shops! I absolutely love them!

13What are the top three (3) favorite things about the marketing communications industry?

1) The literal endless opportunity to create

2) The result of a successful campaign

3) The ever-changing market and challenges

14What resources would you recommend to someone who is searching to improve their marketing communications ideas and concepts?

Adobe had some amazing resources available to those who are a subscription member. You can learn techniques and tips. Then I would suggest LinkedIn Learning included with any LinkedIn Premium Subscription. Lastly, I would suggest the king giant, YouTube. Endless hours of training and knowledge available for free at your fingertips.

15Where do you see the evolution of the marketing industry in the next 5-10 years?

Immersive experiences are really growing, so is AI and Virtual Reality.

16What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

I have this quote that I read to myself daily. It helps with anxiety and helps me to remain humble and appreciative. "You will never be criticized by someone doing more than you."



Winning Entries

United States | 2020: 4PerSCENT: The Self-Care Candle Experiment | 2020

4PerSCENT: The Self-Care Candle Experiment | NYX Marcom Awards

4PERSCENT candles were created to support a daily self-care routine. They are the desire to inspire you to invest time in yourself and ...
(read more at NYX Marcom Awards)


Joshua Lipka Design


Joshua Lipka Design is a Seattle based Brand & Web Designer for bold small businesses and solopreneurs.

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