We were lucky to catch up with Justin Mesteller recently and have shared our conversation below.
Justin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I have always been passionate about art since I can remember, but the first time I felt the pull to pursue a career in an art field was in my senior year in high school. Our senior art class was entering a regional competition to design a logo for an event at the Toledo Zoo. Each student was asked to create designs to capture the theme and message of the event. It was a masquerade ball fundraiser to benefit the new artic exhibit at the zoo “Mask-zoo-rade”. It was in the process of refining the logo designs to hopefully meet the clients’ expectations that I realized design could be fulfilling. Art had been so personal before this with drawing, painting and other fine art exercises. This allowed me to communicate an idea to others that captured a feeling or emotion when they see it. I ended up winning the competition that year and getting accolades in a local newspaper and that was it… I was hooked!
Justin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I attended Savannah College of Art and Design and furthered my passion for design. Trying my hand at architecture and industrial design, before finding my eventual calling in graphic design. After graduating, I started working in the sign industry and never left. I am currently VP at Kauff’s Vehicle Wraps in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. We offer full service sign, vehicle wrap and graphic design services to south Florida and beyond. Whether designing for a new or existing business we specialize in creating eye catching graphics that will set you apart from the competition. Through vehicle wraps our clients can effectively communicate to their audience what they are all about. Some of my favorite projects create an identity for these companies; whether it’s a security company looking to invoke a feeling of trust and integrity or a custom builder going for that upscale and elegant design to reflect their catalog of work, I can convey those sentiments through visual design cues. Good design does this without overcomplicating things. Our clients have come to know us for this, and others see our work in action and seek us out through referrals. That becomes the most rewarding part, when word of mouth and our own work on the road speaks for itself you don’t need an extensive advertising budget.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The majority of my work is in advertising but we do get clients that want to wrap their vehicle, boat or create a custom wall mural with something that’s not trying to push a particular product, service or company. It’s more about personal expression. These projects are fun to create and particular rewarding when the client is floored by the finished product. They hold more value in the final results because it becomes a part of who they are and how they want others to see them. I get a small part in helping someone express their identity.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Early on I thought all I had to be was good at what I do to get results, but there comes a time when raw talent isn’t enough. It takes extreme dedication and hard work to push you farther in your career and hone you skills into something greater. I was always “good” at art especially in high school when there was only a handful of other kids interested in art. When I went to SCAD I realized that I wasn’t the best anymore and I had to reevaluate what it meant to “good” at art. Then professionally after graduating another lesson came quickly, I had been used to creating for myself or at best an assignment in class. But when working for clients the biggest key is connection to your audience; especially in advertising, if you don’t listen to your client your just spinning your wheels. You could create something that is personally gratifying creatively for you, but if it doesn’t speak to your client and THEIR audience you’ve missed the mark entirely. That initial consultation is so important, not to sell yourself, but to truly listen to who and what you are designing for. Make those connections through your designs and your clients will be back time and time again.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kauffs.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kauffs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kauffs1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mesteller-58124992/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/kauffs