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.
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.
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.
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.
The most effective way to entice someone to experience your product or service using an array of collateral.
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.
I have my process broken down into 4 main parts: Discover, Design, Refine, and Deliver.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Pop-Up Shops! I absolutely love them!
1) The literal endless opportunity to create
2) The result of a successful campaign
3) The ever-changing market and challenges
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.
Immersive experiences are really growing, so is AI and Virtual Reality.
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."
Joshua Lipka Design is a Seattle based Brand & Web Designer for bold small businesses and solopreneurs.