After almost four and a half years of working with our studio, our senior designer Joseph Shipp is heading to California, to make his way in the world. Joseph has spent four and a half years with us (only a year of that as an intern).

Joseph's development as a designer has coincided irrevocably with the entire studio’s growth. He saw the studio mature from a one-, then two-man operation into a full blown collaborative, all while he himself was growing from a production designer and stylist into full blown strategic designer. 

We want to take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate Joseph and all his time and effort. He has contributed more than we can even know to make Widgets & Stone what it is today. While we fully believe this “next step” is the best thing for him, he will be sorely missed.

A parting Q&A. 

PR: Tell us what you're doing next.

JS:  I'm moving to a sleepy coastal town 25 miles south of San Francisco called Half Moon Bay, to help set up a Project M Lab at the design and strategy studio C2. It's a big next step for me with a lot of unknowns. For the first time in my life I'll be living somewhere other than Tennessee. It's easy  to get comfortable in a place, not that that's always a bad thing, but I'm an advocate of getting out of one's comfort zone in order to grow. I expect to grow a lot this coming year, not only as a designer but as a person.

PR: Why did you decide to work for Widgets & Stone?

JS: There really wasn't much of a decision. It was the only design studio in the area that I would even consider working for. I really just got lucky. Right time right place.

PR: What did you learn from working here?

JS: A lot of things:

1. Good design takes time.

2. Many clients will not know this.

3. If clients do know this, work with them.

4. Do not settle. 

5. Be professional but don't wear a suit.

6. Present only one solution.

7. If you do not respect the people you work with, it will show.

8. Invest in the people around you.

9. Do pro-bono work.

10. There's more to life than work (or design).

PR: What would you change about W&S if you could?

JS: Widgets & Stone, as platform of cultural influence, has much potential. Two things i'd like to see happen: 1) a W&S storefront and 2) the promotion of more events and seminars.

PR: Any parting thoughts?

JS: Love your enemies. Respect your elders. Be humble.

All our best wishes for you in your endeavors Joseph!

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PLEASE RSVP BY TUESDAY DEC 8 (upper left of this page: "CLICK TO EMAIL” link).

Like a rolling stone...