Dax Justin is an experienced and versatile creative director, graphic designer and photographer based in Calgary, AB, Canada.
After graduating the University of Lethbridge with a bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree in New Media in 2006, he became a graphic designer and creative director partnering with clients and brands from the full spectrum of the business landscape including B2B and B2C organizations, early-stage businesses, tourism organizations, creative agencies and ambitious brands. Dax has worked with some of the world’s largest brands including Dell, Canon, Samsung, Google Maps and Ford. In 2017 he became a contributor for Canadian Geographic, and in 2019 he became an elected Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Certified Educator from National Geographic.
SPECIALTIES & SERVICES
Brand Identity Design
Logo Design
Graphic Design & Visual Arts
Communication Materials
Corporate Documents
Brand Guidelines
Print & Packaging Design
Professional Photography
Destination Storytelling
SKILLS & APTITUDE
Concept & Ideation
Creative Direction
Articulating Creative Concepts
Strong Typography Skills
Brand Strategy & Development
Naming & Taglines
Integrated Brand Creative
Marketing Direction
Adobe CC
FEATURED BY
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
In November of 2019 I was inducted as a Fellow into the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (FRCGS). RCGS Fellows are nominated based on their significant contribution to Canadian geography, culture, and their embodiment of the longstanding values and tenets of the RCGS: the determination to build, courage to explore and outstanding service to Canada. Read more
Contributor to Canadian Geographic
Since 2017 I have been a contributor for Canadian Geographic. In October of 2017 CanGeo sent me to the tundra of Churchill, Manitoba to trek the ice on a polar bear safari. CanGeo also sent me into the remote and sacred lands of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia in 2017. In 2018, another assignment took me to the remote islands of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia.
Certified National Geographic Educator
In the Spring of 2019 I became a NatGeo Certified Educator. The National Geographic Educator Certification is a professional development program that recognizes pre-K through 12 formal and informal educators committed to inspiring the next generation of explorers, conservationists, and changemakers. Read more
Travel Alberta ALTO Awards Winner (x2)
In 2015 and 2016 I was fortunate enough to partner with Chinook Country Tourist Association on two brand storytelling and photography projects, sending me to the edges of the Canadian Badlands and Southwest Alberta. As a team we won in the category of of ‘Marketing Partnership’ both years in a row. Learn more
Elected Creative Director for AdRodeo Association, 2015
The Ad Rodeo Association celebrates creative excellence in Calgary, Alberta. Ad Rodeo provides creative professionals the opportunity to meet, learn, mentor and celebrate what they do. Ad Rodeo is devoted entirely to the development and support of industry members and young creatives. Learn more
Published Design Project in Flaunt, by Under Consideration, 2012
Flaunt is a resource for design students as well as young, experienced, freelance, and independent designers. It explains how one can find a way to cohesively, succinctly, and creatively showcase their work through an accessible, effective, and creative portfolio. Read more
Full Biography
Dax Justin is working as a freelance creative director, graphic designer, photographer and explorer. After graduating the University of Lethbridge with a bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree in New Media in 2006, he became a graphic designer and creative director partnering with clients and brands from the full spectrum of the business landscape including B2B and B2C organizations, early-stage businesses, tourism organizations, creative agencies and ambitious brands.
Dax’s experience in the creative industry has included consultation work, in-house, partnering with creative agencies, and full-time roles. This has produced a multidisciplinary portfolio spanning a scope of work including corporate/brand identities, rebrands, marketing materials, integrated brand campaigns, print design, digital design, advertising, creative strategy and brand development.
Dax’s photography and photojournalism work is focused on connecting humans back to nature. The voice of his work lives at the intersection of humans and our natural ecosystems; pursuing transformative adventures and expeditions, wildlife conservation, ecotourism, ocean health, and Indigenous culture.
Dax speaks to a variety of organizations ranging from schools and universities to corporate conferences and events. Dax has spoken for the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (CWRS), the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society (CPAWS), DesCan, the University of Calgary, Rundle College and Mount Royal University, among others.
Recognition
The Mark’s logo is still holding strong. We were lucky to have your hand in it!
Mary Kovacs
Associate Vice President HR, Canadian Tire Corporation
I am so impressed, Dax, so impressed. The level of detail and design exploration you took blew me away. You really understood my vision and ethos of who I am fundamentally as a person, and you were able to channel it into our brand. I love it, it’s so spot on.
Carmen Ng
Founder, ALEXAND
Dax brings a rare energy to his work. He sees and communicates the deeper essence of a brand and the experience of its users. His work is real and palpable. He brings his advertising agency experience in graphic design and performance to every project he undertakes.
Nolin Veillard
Managing Director, TRAK Kayaks
I first met Dax as part of our #WeLoveWinter campaign for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Dax was one of the creators capturing content on our trip through the Canadian Rockies. I remember peeking over a bus chair to see him editing his content on a mobile app. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked what app it was… Dax showed me Snapseed for the first time on this trip, and I have never posted a photo without editing on Snapseed since. A few years later, I had the opportunity to take one of Dax’s workshops on how to create amazing content from your phone. Both taking content and using new apps can be intimidating, but Dax breaks that down with key tips, hands on examples, and is so wonderful at celebrating each of our unique styles. It’s really cool to be able to use a mobile device to capture the beauty you see and express yourself in a photo without being a photographer. Thank you for changing the way I look at content creation & capturing moments both at work and in my personal life, Dax!
Mona Bunona
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Dax is a creative mind that translates words and meaning into visual art through his work. He is unmatched in his craft. His enthusiasm for design means he has high standards for excellent results and beautiful work that delights his clients. Knowing his passion for pleasing clients comes foremost is what makes him my first choice for design and identity related projects.
Janet Elizabeth
Marketing Strategist
I hired Dax to create the face of my brand with a request to capture three themes: simplicity, elegance, and speed. These are the themes that have guided the development of Pixsy and I wanted the logo and wordmark to convey that message to my users. Dax presented me with the initial draft concept and it was quite simply “it”. He nailed it on the first attempt. It was an incredibly gratifying moment to finally put a face to the name.
Chris Simpkins
Founder and Developer, Pixsy
I enjoyed working with Dax on my brand identity refresh. He exceeded my expectations. Dax got me energized, motivated and excited about refreshing my branding. He listened, was resourceful and intuitive. I was impressed with how he knew exactly what I was thinking and was able to manifest that into my branding/logo. He understood my vision. He didn’t rush the process and took the time to understand my needs, desires, and ideas in order to create the details and the vision that I wanted people to feel. He is artistic and a gifted professional that helped to define my brand identity. I really like how he encompassed the feeling I wanted all while executing forward thinking with quality work. He is a talented graphic artist, incredibly creative with a timeless presence. He created the emotion I wanted to evoke, ensuring that my brand identity adequately represents my high standards to service the needs of my clients – Dax captured that.
Brenda Coulter
Realtor®️, CIR Realty
We were fortunate enough to scoop up Dax for a few of our campaigns. His passion is not only contagious, but addictive. He is a differentiator because not only does his personal brand speak like an authentic ambassador but he is the ultimate trend-setter, pushing the envelope in a way that his fans, friends and colleagues are immersed in whatever experience he pursues. His enthusiasm and energy is so infectious that he inspires personal life-long friends. He is a real creator consistently at the cutting edge of global social change and trends.
Candace Ebrey
Marketing Director, Chinook Country Tourist Association
Dax created a fantastic logo design for Innovation Exchange. The logo created instantly elevated our credibility and professionalized our presence. We were really pleased with the results and Dax was great to work with. Happy to recommend his work.
Mike Bowerman
Business Development Consultant