July 2, 2013

THE NEXT CHAPTER


It's time. The closing of one book, and the start of another. The highly anticipated sequel in my story as a creative professional. First, let's go back to the beginning:

Three years ago (nearly to the day) I walked through Dayspring's front doors, eager to find my place in the creative field. Boiling with anxiety, excitement and fear of the "new", I jumped head-first into the world of greeting card design. Surrounded by wonderful people and designers, between Dayspring and Hallmark, I learned from the best. This is honestly what I will miss the most: the wealth of talent and resources between my co-workers and the vast creative libraries of Hallmark are, in my book, irreplaceable. We collaborated on projects, deliberated over "cat-horses", and celebrated one another's design victories. Good times, to say the least.

Someone once said, "every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." And so, Friday is my official last day designing for Dayspring, and Monday I will take the next step in my journey, starting as a Sr. Designer with Moxy Ox, one of the leading (and growing) creative agencies in NW Arkansas. Please visit their site to learn more about them and the type of work I will be getting to do with them.

Needless to say I am very excited about this next chapter in my life, but it is bittersweet leaving my friends and co-workers at Dayspring and not working with them on a daily basis. I want to say that I'm thankful for Dayspring and the experience I've gained with them, and I will miss it all very much! But I am looking forward to the plans in store for me, at Moxy Ox and beyond. Thanks & God bless

: Justin

April 5, 2013

A GREETING CARD IS BORN

A neat, behind-the-scenes look of how a greeting card is made: from a thought to the shelf and into your hearts and homes (its okay, greeting cards can be cheesy sometimes.) Thanks to Hallmark's very own, Chris Dorsey, for creating the video, and my fellow designer Jessica for sharing!



December 20, 2012

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!

Time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Its been a busy holiday season this month here at the greeting card headquarters, and it is wrapping up just in time for my beautiful wife and I to head west for the holidays, to spend time with family (and open presents, of course.) I'll be back in January, fresh from all the rest and relaxation, ready to take 2013 by storm! Merry Christmas! See you guys next year!

November 7, 2012

TRICK OR TREAT : U-NEEK-O-LANTERN!

A little belated-Halloween project: Jordan and I did our annual pumpkin carving tradition a few weeks ago, before the holiday. I always want to do something challenging and original with my pumpkin, something that I'll enjoy seeing lit up on my front porch. And to commemorate all the success and fun I've had with U-NEEKS over the past year, what could be more perfect than having a big ol' Mustachio staring back at me?! It was definitely intense, but worth the patience and the nearly severed fingers. I already can't wait till next Halloween! What did you guys carve into your pumpkins?!

November 6, 2012

MEETING NOTES : BATMEN

meeting note co-op with my fantastic doodle buddy Jon Huckeby. theme : "Batmen"

October 31, 2012

LETTERING : ABOUNDING HOPE

One of the things I joyfully had the opportunity to work on during the past few months was a brand new Dayspring card line called "Abounding Hope", which will be out next summer/fall. I was able to do six different cards, four lettered by myself (I art directed a freelancer on the other two lettering jobs). I wanted to share some of the process behind my designs, with hopes to show more of the final product eventually...