‘...an open-minded, innovative designer, with a careful eye for detail and a substantial grasp of the possibilities of both traditional and digital design. ‘
Having always been fascinated by the many uses of symbols, text, and imagery in our world, Joseph was introduced to the field of formal graphic design his junior year of high school, via California’s state-funded ROP courses. Thoroughly enraptured by all the possibilities, he quickly excelled and ended up taking all three of the available courses (Beginning and Advanced Graphic Design, and Digital Art) literally one period after another.
Joseph also helped found (and named) his High School Newspaper, The Bull's Eye, as well as worked on the school’s art and Poetry magazine, ‘Artistic Rhapsody’ as both a submitter and in an editorial position. During his senior year, he, and the rest of the Advanced Graphic Design class were given the task of laying out that year’s edition to Artistic Rhapsody, and received a “Best of Show” award for their efforts in the San Diego County Fair
Joseph received his bachelor’s degree in graphic design at the Art Institute of California’s San Diego location. There he advanced in a wide range of technical and artistic skills including typography, color theory, market psychology, the science of printing, web design and coding, video editing. He also was drilled in all the various tools required for industry standard work including software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Quark, Painter, Flash, and the more traditional and equally necessary markers, steel rulers, and charcoal.
After completing college, Joseph spent over a year simultaneously working both as the sole designer and digital print/ pre-press specialist at a locally owned print shop (Fast Action Printing) and as the nightshift production operator at the Oceanside FedexKinkos (or FedexOffice as they prefer to call themselves these days).
Both places provided him with experience in stretching his creativity within the limitations of his clients' needs, as well as encountering many situations requiring on-the-spot problem solving. His roles constantly required him to juggle often dozens of projects (and their appropriate deadlines) at once, as well as completing the occasional freelance assignment. Through Fast Action, Joseph had the opportunity to work with a rather wide variety of clients, all requiring unique individual solutions to completely achieve their needs. The company’s client list ranged from government offices such as the City of Oceanside and the California Welcome Center; large-scale companies such as Horizons Unlimited and Rhinestone Productions; as well as many smaller businesses and non-profit organizations such as the local branch of the NAACP and the Northern San Diego County Woman's Resource Center.
Recently, he has moved to Oregon in order to pursue new challenges in his professional and creative work.