Julie Riley

OWNER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
J.RILEY CREATIVE
PEARLAND, TX

Julie is an award-winning designer based outside of Houston, TX. She currently owns and creates within j.riley creative, a firm she began in 2007. Throughout her career, Julie has used her artistic gift and passion for design to provide visually meaningful solutions for her clients. Her specialties in major packaging and branding endeavors include logo design, print collateral design, web design, and packaging design.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with emphasis in Visual Communications from the University of Oklahoma. She has had the opportunity to work with large clients such as Coca-Cola, The Minute Maid Company, Odwalla, and ConocoPhillips. Since starting her own firm, Julie has enjoyed working with clients from across the US and in a variety of industries, including industrial, construction, retail, consulting, and healthcare.

Each client presents unique challenges, based on their different businesses and industries. Julie thrives in learning about each client’s product, strategy, or goal, then creating a visual solution that reflects these intricacies. This attention to detail, even when subtle, builds brand loyalty visually and from the inside out. By providing a deeper connection, the story behind the mark reinforces the story behind the business.

Julie’s work has been featured in GDUSA and Logo Lounge.

Looking forward to 2023, are you optimistic about the role and impact of Graphic Design and Visual Communication in Business? Culture? Causes? Why do you feel that way?

Heading into 2023, I am very optimistic about visual communication and its growing importance in business and culture. While general principles of design remain timeless, the messages change constantly, and designers get the privilege of visualizing these messages. In business, using this invaluable tool to emphasize a written message — both externally to clients and internally to employees — has become more prominent.

Favorite or most influential logo or branding project of the past 60 years?

FedEx Branding. I remember when I was a student learning about graphic design, and first seeing the hidden arrow in FedEx’s logo. I love the subtlety and use of negative space that also aligns with the company’s purpose. This principle has stuck with me and drives much of my design process to this day.