Josh Grab is a visual designer and photographer that believes design should function, not just look pretty. He currently works at Brown University, maintaining brand integrity, creating engaging visual identities and communication solutions for university partners.

Developing accessible designs with a digital-first approach, he focuses on strategy and execution. One day he is building a system, the next, making sure it actually works.

The Scenic Route to Now

After graduating from Roger Williams University in 2016, Josh began at Sign Design Incorporated. Printing signage for Gillette Stadium, Reebok, college campuses and local businesses. He learned that wayfinding signage is just storytelling for people who are lost.

After countless paper cuts, he dabbled in the pet industry at Pet Food Experts, coordinating photo, video and content promotions for 50+ brands. Yes, there were a lot of cute dogs.

Not too long after that, he found himself at Roger Williams University supporting the marketing team as graphic designer and photographer. In the words of his alma mater, “It’s a great day to be a Hawk.”

Along the way, he has kept an active freelance practice:

• Building visual identities through projects and contract work
  
• Photographing events, engagements and weddings

Why Interactive Media and Communications

Josh is pursuing his master’s degree in Interactive Media and Communications to sharpen how stories, systems and experiences are built in a digital-first world. He is interested in how design, motion and emerging tools like generative AI can work together in practical ways.

Some interactive work, spaces and designers he loves:

• WNDR Museum (Boston)
  
• ARTECHOUSE (NYC)
  
• Work from Tyler Spangler, Paula Scher and Shepard Fairey (OBEY)
  

Josh is naturally drawn to experiences that mix visual identity with motion and meaning, where nothing is accidental.

Where He is Headed

Professionally, Josh is aiming toward:

1. Leading creative teams as an Art Director or Design Manager
   
2. Mentoring designers and marketing teams in higher education
   
3. Creating design systems rather than just assets
   

He is focused on building brands, platforms and experiences, not just portfolio pieces. This includes visual identity, social campaigns, UI/UX projects and motion design.

Outside of Work

When he is not designing, Josh can usually be found:

• Hiking or doing something fitness-related, usually to justify sitting at a desk all day
  
• Plundering in Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and taking them slightly too seriously
  
• Chasing Pokémon cards like it is still 1999 (Weavile is his favorite)
  
• Capturing photos in nature or urban areas and hoping strangers don’t notice him
  
• Keeping 90s and early 2000s alternative pop punk music alive in his playlists
  
• Emotionally investing in Boston sports (for better or worse)

Why this Blog Exists

For classmates and readers, Josh wants this blog to be a working notebook. It is a place to think out loud, test ideas and occasionally be wrong.

If there is one thing to know about him, it is this: he cares about craft, clarity and intention. Everything else is just decoration.