Widgets & Stone 

We connect business with creativity, designing tools and strategies that benefit economy, communication, innovation and brand. 

Our abilities include visual and verbal articulation, building brand equity, and designing strong communications. For new projects to launch or established companies to reconnect with key audiences. 

Our job, however, is to create design that changes how people think, how they behave, and how they live. Not only for a moment, but for the long-term good of inspired individuals, empowered communities, and the world around us.

1. Design the right things, design the things right.

2. Partner with individuals and organizations that inspire us.

3. Interact with our partners and collaborators on both personal and professional levels.

4. Continually learn and grow with our partners.

5. Collaborate with multidisciplinary talents.

6. Make the invisible visible.

7. Create extraordinary communication.

As principal, he has led Widgets & Stone since day one. Paul serves as the hub of the studio, drawing clients, creative ideas and collaborators together around projects to accomplish business and brand objectives. 

Paul is active in AIGA, the professional association for design, serving his second term as President of the Chattanooga Chapter. He completed the AIGA program "Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders" at the Yale School of Management (2008). He holds a MFA in Book Arts from the University of Alabama (2004) and a BFA in Design & Illustration from East Carolina University (1994). He is also very proud of his month-long internship with Sagmeister, Inc. (2004). [Read more: extended bios page].

rustand@widgetsandstone.com

D.J. serves as designer for the studio, assisting with everything from studio business, idea generation, production and strategic design. His never ending enthusiasm, insatiable curiosity and people skills make him a welcome addition to our team. Along with his good nature, he is quite a good designer.

D.J. graduated from LaRoche College in 2006 with a BA in Graphic and Communications Design. [Read more: extended bios page].

dj@widgetsandstone.com

Caleb has collaborated with Widgets since 2002. As the writer (and head of his own communications company, 26Tools), we often ask him to develop the studio's understanding of clients and their audiences, of how we conduct discovery and strategically direct creative work, and of how brands launch into and live in the world. He also writes award-winning copy.

Along with years of real world experience in communications design and working to improve sustainability in design industries, Caleb holds a couple of graduate degrees and has served on the faculty of a liberal arts college. [ Read more:extended bios page ].

ludwick@widgetsandstone.com

A collaborative partner in the studio since 2004, Matt is involved in all aspects of the work of the studio with a primary focus on creative direction, client support and strategic planning. 

Matt serves in the Art Department at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga (as Department Head and Design Professor). He is a founding Board member of Chattanooga AIGA, and an active member of arts nonprofit boards. He holds a MFA in Design from the University of Iowa in 1997 and a BA in Advertising from Western Kentucky University in 1993, and has been working professionally as a designer throughout his teaching career. [Read more: extended bios page].

greenwell@widgetsandstone.com

Grant coordinates production of the studio's distinctive design work. When not researching new production techniques, he adds his design talent to client creative projects and provides original photography. 

He holds a BFA in design from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, where he also serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Typography. [Read more: extended bios page].

dotson@widgetsandstone.com

Brad is a longtime long distance collaborator with the studio (working with Widgets since 2001). Brad creates brilliant brand identities, exceptional designs and innovative typography for the studio. He frequently provides insightful creative direction and concept development. And he was also our very first intern in 2000.

He lives in Iowa City where he serves as an Assistant Professor of Design at the University of Iowa. Along with an active freelance design career, he pursues personal projects and a pro bono design project called Donate Design. Brad received his MFA from the University of Iowa in design (2005) as well as his MA (2003). He has a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga (2001).  [Read more: extended bios page].

bradley@widgetsandstone.com