Commercial design, by the very nature of its name, is the marriage between art and commerce which at times produces spectacular results…
To the right is a short bio,
a snapshot of where I've been these past few years.
1954 – Born in Philadelphia the second of nine children to working class parents.
1967 Wins top prize in St. Edmond's elementary school annual art contest. (draws Snoopy perched on top on his doghouse)
1970-1972 – Studies under renown watercolor artist Hubert Baudoin.
1971 – Meets John Lennon at KYW studios in Philadelphia, Lennon is co-hosting the Mike Douglas Show with Yoko Ono for one week.
1972 – Graduates high school. (Bishop Neumann High Philadelphia PA)
1972-1976 – University of the Arts, majoring in Illustration. (BFA degree)
1976 – Wins the William H. Ely Award for Excellence in Illustration. Work exhibited at the Society of Illustrators Gallery in NYC
1976-1984 – Working freelance Illustrator.
1985-1998 – Working production artist and creative director for Berry & Homer Inc., a Philadelphia based graphics house, while continuing to freelance as a graphic designer and illustrator.
1988 – Purchases first computer, an Amiga 500+
1990-1991 – Takes continuing education classes at UArts (formerly PCA) studying photoshop, illustrator and pagemaker for the first time.
1994 – Designs and builds first website.
1998 – Accepts position as senior graphic designer with First USA Bank in Wilmington Delaware. Assumes key role as part of creative presentations team that includes world class marketers, writers, designers and multimedia professionals.
2000 – Due in large part to the overwhelming success of the newly issued Disney credit card and the work produced by his team for this project, named "Officer of the Bank" BankOne (formerly First USA).
2002 – Attends Photoshop World Conference in Tampa visiting future home of Sarasota for the first time. Teaches photoshop class in Wilmington DL
2004 – Relocates to Sarasota FL, and resigns from BankOne (now JP MorganChase). Resumes freelancing in graphic and web design.
2006 – Becomes marketing partner in real estate venture (Progressive Realty, LLC). Launches web design company (askjoestewart.com).
2009 – Builds a better mousetrap!
Selected Freelance Clients: Disney, Starbucks, Apple, Nike, Coke-Cola, Borders, National Geographic, Charming Shoppes, Ace Hardware, Philadelphia Magazine, Hard Rock Cafe International, Girl Scouts of America, Getty Museum and Ford Motor Co.