I’m Joshua Rand Lepley, a New York City-based designer, artist, and maker. My work is conceptual, strategic, and multidisciplinary; with expertise in brand identity, brand campaigns, and brand experience projects spanning digital and physical mediums.
/ WHAT I DO /
Strategic brand and identity design for start-ups and established companies, combining multidisciplinary creativity with results-driven execution.
My work is informed by a broad, hands-on background that spans design, making, and teaching. I’ve launched multiple products to market by overseeing every stage from concept through manufacturing, owned and operated a custom furniture company, and led complex residential construction projects. Additionally, I taught carpentry and woodworking at the vocational level and am a long-time maker experimenting with everything from bio-fuels to fermentation—all grounded in curiosity, systems thinking, and seeing ideas through from concept to execution.
/ CLIENTS & COLLABORATORS /
Amazon, Apple, Collins, Google, Gretel, IDEO, Instrument, JKR, Netflix, Nike, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sibling Rivalry, Snapchat, VSA Partners, Target, YouTube…
/ EXPERTISE /
I design and build brand identities, brand campaigns, and brand experiences rooted in strategy, integrated in real time, and designed for impact, consistency, and usability. Each project demonstrates strategic thinking, creative craft, and real-world results empowering teams to create confidently.
/ GUIDING PRINCIPLES /
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Design - “If you can design one thing, you can design everything.” ~Massimo Vignelli
My work is multidisciplinary, bringing brands to life across every touchpoint, from digital experiences and small business identities to big tech campaigns, large-scale concerts, and global rebrands. Beyond that, I bring the courage and curiosity to try new things.
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“Art is choosing to do something skillfully, caring about the details, bringing all of yourself to make the finest work you can.” ~Rick Rubin
Craft is everything. I bring care, attention to detail, and my full self to every project, striving for the highest quality work for every client. This principle was instilled in me by my father while building custom homes: no corners cut, every element executed to its utmost, whether visible or hidden.
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“Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.” ~Frank Lloyd Wright
No project is too big or too small. I approach each with the same care and attention, finding the magic moment in every detail. Every opportunity, whether a full brand identity, a pitch deck, or a single business card, is a chance to learn and deliver beyond expectations.
/ HOW I WORK /
Through Applied Ambition, my creative practice, I take an agile approach, working directly with brands and companies, as well as studios, agencies, and in-house teams. Support for projects of all shapes and sizes comes from a trusted network of highly creative friends and freelance partners on an as-needed basis.