A little about me.

Hello, I'm Josiah Graves, a third-generation Quad Cities native with a passion for graphic design, photography, and technology.

I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the accredited Iowa State University College of Design, where I was mentored by top experts in graphic design and entrepreneurship through the College of Design and John Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. This guidance honed my skills in blending creativity with business strategy.

With four years of professional experience in graphic design and photography across freelance, academic, and corporate settings, plus five years in photography (including video production and editing), I've mastered both physical assets (like print collateral and packaging) and digital ones (such as web graphics and interactive media). Since 2022, I've created self-directed work to support myself through college, sharpening my abilities while building a sustainable freelance practice. Throughout my career, I've committed to staying ahead of rapid technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, by exploring tools like AI-assisted design software to enhance efficiency in ideation and prototyping. However, I always prioritize human-driven creativity to ensure final deliverables reflect authentic insight, emotional resonance, and strategic depth—balancing innovation with the irreplaceable value of manual craftsmanship.

A key achievement: I won "Best of Class" in Iowa State's CyStarters program, an 11-week summer accelerator that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to launch student startups, recognizing my innovative design concepts for entrepreneurial ventures.


Top Skills

Graphic Design

Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop

Photography

DSLR Cameras, Camera Accessories, Drone Technology, Editing

Videography

Premiere Pro, After Effects, Camera Accessories, Drone Technology

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University's rigorous and extensively structured College of Design program. Renowned for its accredited, interdisciplinary curriculum integrating artistic foundations with real-world applications, I've built a versatile skill set through four years of professional experience in graphic design and photography across academia, corporate environments, and freelance projects, plus five years in photography including video production and editing.

AI Proficiency

Prompt Engineering, Research, Automating Tedious Tasks

UI/UX Design

Experienced in Figma, used for wireframes, prototypes, and testing