William Justice
Member since 2008
What is your overriding professional goal?
To use visual arts to effectively communicate on the behalf of my clients.
How do you explain what you do to "regular people?"
"Graphic Artist" or "I design websites". I know that "graphic artist" may sound a little elitist - but it seems to be one of the few generic profession names in our field that is as ubiquitous as "Doctor", "Lawyer" or "Fireman". I used to tell people I was a "web designer" but that made people think I was a computer programmer. Then for a while I would say "Designer" but for some reason people always thought I meant an interior designer.
What is your greatest work-related purchase?
Moleskine grid-paper notebooks. Hands down. I have to do all of my initial layout sketches on paper. It's impossible for me to do my "Round Zero" comps in a software environment like Photoshop or Illustrator... and I'm kind of envious of people that can just open up Illustrator and start drawing. So I keep a Moleskine on me at all times. (Rhodia pads are pretty great, too.) Now if I could just develop a system to organize them all.
Why are you in AIGA?
I am in AIGA to be a part of the larger design and creativity organism. I'm with an agency now but I was a freelancer for many years and the AIGA along with other organizations helped me stay connected with my peers. I think it's extremely important to be associated with a professional association in your field, whatever it may be. I get the sense that so many designers feel that professional organizations are for other professions like medicine or law -- and that creative people are meant to go it alone. I've never understood this. Only by actively connecting with others in our field can we truly understand our field. The AIGA provides creative people with so many opportunities to network, learn and connect with other creatives and that's why I'm a member.
Outside the typical ones (dog, cat, fish, lizard), what office pet would you like to have around?
A monkey. Definitely some sort of monkey. Or maybe an owl because I like owls, too. Okay, sure, monkeys and owls seem to be quite popular right now... you see them on so many T-shirts, stickers, etc. But there's a reason for that: Owls and monkeys are awesome.... there's really nothing that can be done about it, they just are.