Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Linville.
Hi Josh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Life is a full of barriers, and that is completely okay. What makes us unique isn’t our thorns, it’s our stories. To share my own little narrative, when I was young I had a very difficult speech impediment, and honestly it would of inspired Tolkien if he heard me speaking publicly. Years of struggling with verbal communication, led me to into a new world, Graphic Design.
I was mesmerized by the career of Donald Draper (Mad Men), I wanted to charm like Joe MacMillan (Halt & Catch Fire), Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother) could turn a 30 minute conversation into a story that lasted 9 years. All of these people created a memorable brand you still remember. They crafted exciting stories through visuals, emotions, characters, missions, goals, the Coca Cola dream commercial.
Over the past 10 years I’ve worked across healthcare, SaaS, talent acquisition, real estate and other consumer industries helping them expand their story. Member engagement, sales enablement, growth marketing, production art, all of my talents are focused on a clients success.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has a career in graphic design been smooth? No. Do I love the profession? Absolutely.
I’ve struggled with layoffs every 18 months for 10 years in a row. In the beginning it was to search for more. Of course there are nightmare bosses in every field and the beginning of my career was no exception. Then Covid came and anyone working in marketing or design was left wondering what to do. Then the Ai boom and its advancement through the years. Many of us are struggling to carve our worth in this new world. The good news, same old story. I was told countless times in 2012 that graphic design was an over crowded field. I had to fight for my space every time when a client would replace me with off shore talent. Life is full of barriers, but thats no reason to give in to defeat.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been a professional Graphic Designer since 2016 working a mix of in house marketing and independent contracting for small and large institutions. Most of my speciality in in print media, social design, and growth marketing. I love creating assets for brands that make them feel more alive. People want to feel a part of a community and my job is to put a face on it and help grow the tribe.
Most proud – I designed a billboard campaign featured in San Francisco, CA and Nashville, TN. Right on the Interstate, I-40 to be specific in Nashville. Who doesn’t have that dream as a kid to see there work in front of a million eyes.
What were you like growing up?
I am neurodivergent. I have Aspergers Syndrome to be precise. As a child it was much more intense. I wouldn’t be touched, I had a rough speech impediment, and I was in therapy for 18 years. I was trapped in my body, or everyone else told me I was trapped, hard to tell. I was just uncomfortable with eye contact, arms around me, things didnt make sense. The world didnt make sense. I remember the turning point though, my mother enrolled me into a theater play. On stage everyone was acting, there wasn’t a mystery to what people were going to say. Things made sense, and I found this incredible enjoyment in being able to be someone else. Outside of the stage I used that knowledge to help me interact with others. If I was struggling with communication I’d just pretend to be a new character. Someone who did understand the room. Now yes that had its own struggles. I was born in SouthWest Florida, and after a CAT4 hurricane in 2004 my mother moved us to TN. Small country town, very small. Its always rough as a new kid, in new school, new life. I tried my method acting ways to make friends, and the bullying got intense. Between my ultra conservative mother, the isolation in this new life, and being lost in my own self, all of that if what probably led me to seek escape in going to Art School in the nearest metro area, Nashville.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joshlinville.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josh.linville/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualinville/
