Meet Joshua Gajownik | The Creative Office of Joshua Gajownik

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Gajownik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
When I became a fully independent designer I asked myself how I want to spend my days. I really considered each individual day instead of a year or decade or career, and what that 8 hours of work each day could be. I knew I didn’t want to spend my entire day sitting behind a computer screen. So I began to pursue projects with tactility be that print design or branded environments. I’m now in my 20th year as a designer. Fourteen of those I’ve been independent, making my niche designing brands and spaces for small and medium business. I am so fortunate to work with people who have vision, an appreciation for creativity, and who value me not as a service provider but as a creative partner in their business. I get to help bring their dream to life by focusing on personality, craft, and longevity. In a growing area like the Triangle it is crucial that we retain parts of our self but also welcome new ideas and ways of doing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Eventually after working in-house and freelancing with global companies I made a conscious decision to focus on Raleigh and NC. It wasn’t easy, but it felt like there were needs here and opportunities for creative thinking. Restaurants, hotels, bookstores, barber shops, public spaces. I had struggled with a common perception that you’ve got to move to a bigger city to be a legitimate designer. Through the process of acquiring jobs in those places (and searching for apartments in Brooklyn on Craigslist) I learned that the lifestyle of a design mecca just wasn’t right for me. I love what I do, but I need a balanced life to feel my most creative. Each time I’d be offered but reluctantly decline a job in NYC, I’d come back to Raleigh, go to Poole’s Diner and feel that what I wanted, it was here. We just needed more of it. When I asked a friend why I just couldn’t sign on the line, my buddy Critter replied ‘well you can go someplace better or you can stay here and make this place better.’ I think that summed it up for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ideal day definitely starts with Jubala Coffee for breakfast. The almond latte and those slightly sweet biscuits changed my morning routine. Head across Hillsborough Street to walk around NC State – a.k.a Brick City – my alma mater. Then a drive to the Eno Quarry for a hike and a swim. Cosmic Cantina in Durham for lunch. Back to Raleigh for an early afternoon drink at The Longleaf Hotel & Lounge. I’m biased, but the vibe there is my kind of Raleigh and the drinks are outstanding and inventive. The Canes would be playing so hit a late afternoon game because I’m a huge hockey fan. We’re so fortunate to have the Canes here in a smaller market. They’d be in their Hartford Whalers kit keeping the best logo in the history of sports going, playing the Bruins. After the game, land at Ajja for Cheetie Kumar’s tour of tastes on the patio. The next morning Ashley Christensen’s Poole’s Diner for brunch. Then hit the road for a couple days in the high country at Rhode’s Motor Lodge.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shoutout certainly goes to my wife and my daughter for putting up with a restless creative soul! Then to the creative crew from our pre-pandemic co-working studio The Assembly who have either stuck around Raleigh or come back after experiences elsewhere. It has been a goal of mine to collectively elevate the design expectations of Raleigh with other creatives – to make Raleigh a viable option for young designers coming out of NC State or experienced designers looking to get out of the big cities for the next chapter of their career. To name a few: Nikelle Orellana-Reyes and Gino Reyes, Paul Tuorto, Tim Reavis, Christian Tompkins, Tyler Northrup, Mary Ann Bitter, Nick Neptune, and Joseph Giampino. There are more but these are all folks I’ve worked with closely on projects. I’m so glad they are doing their thing here in Raleigh.

If I may a final shoutout to David Baldwin who never looked at us independent creatives as threats to his business but instead as allies in rising the creative tide together. He was always so giving and gracious to us.

Website: www.joshuagajownik.com

Instagram: @creativeofficesof

Image Credits
I’ve put photographers initials at the end of each photo file name. If no initials, the image is mine: TN = Tyler Northrup @tylernorthrup WB = Wes B. @breadcrumb_photos